It is more than evident by now that we need a PG that can both consistently find the open man and consistently shoot the ball. Harris has shown ups and downs (more downs than ups) this year and He is mediocre at best . He has some very good attributes but this team is built upon a PG that does all those things that Stockton, and Dwill have done in the past. Earl Watson has proved to be much more efficient this year than Harris and I just as soon have Earl in their than Harris any day.

KOC may not want to get rid of him because he was partly what we received for Dwill, however it is time to make a changing of the guard. Please KOC, I know you always have something up your sleeve, please do move harris and get someone who is going to help us win those down to the wire games and to compete against the likes of Durant and the other top players in the game. Utah needs this, we are all waiting.

I think we would be better off with Mo Williams coming back to Utah, or even Ramon Sessions of Cleveland.

via www.gettingthedealnews.com

via media.star-telegram.com

Okay now this guy is going to be a free agent this year. Can you imagine the 49ers going after him? Or do we stick with Crab, Morgan, and Williams and draft another one? I personally think we need to draft one and go get a proven free agent out on the market. We need some leadership at the wideout position. This guy could be the one who takes charge of that role for the niners.

With the kick in the pants ending to the season, I thought I would look positively into the future and think about the possible moves and acquisitions that the team can/will make.

After pondering about the serious needs of the team, it is more than obvious that the WR's need upgrading and after sundays loss we need a reliable punt/kick returner. Is this proud franchise now an attractive place for hot free agent markets? Is it the place that the top free agents go to win a championship? With the new team structure of coaches, management and player personel it makes me think that this is true. A brand new state of the art stadium is in the works along with some of the best up and coming talent in the league. Does this have the makings of the franchises 6th + championships? As a niner faithful I tend to agree with Roger Craig when he said that he feels this is a beginning of a dynasty.

Let's take a look at some free agents and moves that are needed to be made by the team.

FREE AGENCY/TRADE

WOULD HE MAKE A RETURN TO THE BAY AREA?

Mr. Bowe has a huge catching radius and would make Alex look even better than he has been as of late.

via www.wassapening.com

Don't tell me that we wouldn't improve with a player like this guy!

via www.nationalconfidential.com

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As our Utah Jazz of the future begins to take shape, we can notice the type of vision that Jazz management has. After picking Kanter as the #3 pick obviously one thing is important to KOC and management. That thing is size. We have plenty of it. Between AJ, Millsap, Okur, Favors, Fes, and now Kanter we are overloaded with size and in need of a pure shooter. Hopefully Burks and Bell can improve that shooting problem. It appears obvious to me that at least one of the big guys is leaving. More likely Millsap or Okur. I would hate to see Millsap go being that he is close to being an All-Star, but Okur I believe is past his prime. I really like Harris' speed at the point and I feel that he is a very good PG but we need a solid backup behind him. I thought we might get someone in the draft but obviously that didn't happen. 

We have no need to worry about the future being that we have such young talent that simply needs to be organized into a collaborating team of pure basketball talent. Hayward and Favors gave me so much to look forward to last year and I have every reason to believe that it will only improve from here. As a Jazz nation I now ask you to suggest what players we ought to look for in a trade or through free agency. Remember last year how we expected to get a big man in the draft and then the next week got AJ? Well the same type of thing is going to happen this year. Just wait, mark my words. Whoever it may be, lets hope they are that missing piece to top of this mass of talent that we have. 

Please spark intriguing conversations through ideas and suggestion about what we must do through trades and free agency. 

I'll start things off. 

Paul Millsap, CJ Miles (we pick up his option) to Philly for Andre Iguodala

via sportige.com

He would be the first big star in Utah since Stockton and Malone and would give us that extra boost to becoming immediate contenders. 

The great and legendary coach Vince Lombardi once said, "Its not whether you get knocked down; its whether you get back up."

Imagine this if you will...

Its the year 2013. A warm summer day in Salt Lake City. A humongous crowd has gathered at the SLC international airport. What are they doing there? Just looking around one could guess. massive seas of blue and white swarm together. Devon Harris, Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson jerseys are everywhere you look. The much anticipated moment arrives. Devon Harris steps off the plane hoisting the very coveted Larry O'Brien Trophy. The crowd goes nuts in celebration as people blare their stereos to "We are the Champions" by Queen. After all of the heroic players and coaches step off the plane there is one last person to applaud. Kevin O'Connor enters the doorway of the exit and pauses. He exhales as he takes a look at the beautiful panoramic view of the majestic Rocky Mountains. He thinks to himself, "Wow, who would have imagined this?"  The crowd hesitates in silence before erupting in praise and cheer for the man who orchestrated the most immaculate NBA title in NBA history.

I say to all Jazz fans. Can you picture this? Do you hope for this? If not I dare say that you are not a Jazz fan.

How much do you love the Jazz?

First off I'd like to say that it is hard for most all of us Jazz fans to swallow the fact that we are without our cornerstone and marquee man. Very hard. Deron has been the closest thing to our shot at a title since the Stockton and Malone days. I think that it is hard for us to imagine the Larry O'Brien Trophy coming to Utah without Jerry or Deron around. Now that means we have turned a page. We have opened a new chapter in Utah sports. We have made that step into the unknown that many teams don't venture to take. The outcome is unknown and unpredictable. We are talking about the livelihood of players and coaches, and one of the most enjoyable things about this wonderful state. Are you a true Jazz fan and are you willing to follow the story of this team coming together and bringing that title to this great state? As for myself, I will never cease to cheer for, hope for, and desire the success of this franchise.

What the Future Holds

With that said, I have no doubt that Devin Harris has the ability and determination to be a reoccurring all-star. He was already an all star once and will be many more times if the Jazz keep building around him. What supporting cast did Devin Harris have in NJ? Lopez? Nobody really.  In Utah he has Jefferson, Millsap, and even his boy Favors that will help out as time goes on. Devon Harris is a quick sly guard that is known for his acrobatic type of moves to the hoop. I would dare say that he can do anything that Deron did for us and now that he is on a competing team, who is to say that he won't do more than that?

The Utah Jazz may have struggled this year, but I only see them getting better and better as time goes on. One era has ended but a new era has begun and I am liking the way it is beginning (except the losing streak). Devon Harris has not had the opportunity to really compete in the playoffs. Now being with such a franchise as Utah he will have the chance to bring his game to the next level. We'll see what kind of player he really is.

Team Management

I made an earlier fan post about KOC. I demanded that he do something with this dwindling Utah Jazz team. I demanded that he make a move for a blockbuster player. Now trading our franchise player away was not exactly what I was getting at. I intended him to add that player to our roster with DWill still there. But since Dwill is already gone and history we will have to settle for what has been done. I do commend KOC for making such a bold move and getting such talent for what could have turned out to be a Carlos Boozer situation. (getting nothing in return)  

Lets all remember Jazz fans.....Who we got for Deron Williams were the same players and picks that NJ offered to Denver for Melo and were about to take (and many believe they should have taken this deal). That is just a testament to the kind of move that KOC made. That is why I commend his move to bring these two players and picks to the team. Who knows, maybe one of those picks is a DWill-esque player, or someone who shoots the lights out, or someone who is a shut-down defender. We don't know that yet and we will see what is in store.  This years NBA draft does look like a somewhat week one, but I still feel that there are some sleepers out there.  I look at the recent events to our franchise as pivotal and character defining moments of those that run this team. Years down the road we will look back at these past few weeks as huge moments in team history that have kept us on the winning track. 

KOC said in the press conference on Wednesday, in a round about way, that it was a possibility that the Jazz would make another move before the deadline. Obviously the deadline has come and gone and another trade did not occur. It looks like KOC will look to the off season to maybe get under the cap or pick up a big name guy in the free agency market. Most likely he will depend on the draft pick to get someone to develop. Either way you look at it, we will have a young, up and coming team that will be a force for years to come. Mavs, Spurs, Lakers, are all getting older, when we are getting younger. OKC is younger and bigger and will be a huge team now and in the future as well. But if we use these picks correctly then they shouldn't stand in our way either.

I am optimistically looking towards the future and I feel that the outcomes of recent events will only turn these boys into men and turn these hard working players into champions.

To give us all faith and hope in this struggling but proud team of ours please view the following video clips of Devin Harris and Derrick Favors. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Derrick Favors          Devin Harris           Harris to Favors

Crossing over D-Will? ..... I think so!

via i.a.cnn.net

I like the looks of this. :)

via cdn.bleacherreport.net

What Is To Be Done?

Given the current situation that the Jazz are in, some kind of move must be made! The jazz players and fans, and perhaps even the current coaches appear to have lost some pride in the recent episodes that have been unveiled.

We all know now that the Jazz must do something different to get to the ultimate goal. I agree that Jerry Sloan is one of the best coaches of all time and deserves all kinds of awards, accolades, recognition and praise. Yet in 23 years we only made 2 appearances to the Finals and no rings (I do understand we played against the best player of all time). I think that having a coach that is younger, more energetic, and more apparently more motivated will only better our chances to advance in the playoffs, no matter who that person may be. Being that it is Ty Corbin, a former Jazz player, it gives me a little bit more confidence and comfort.

Coaching changes have been made, jersey changes have been made, and many other changes have been made and yet we still have the same type of players that are playing the same old way (good enough for the playoffs and nothing more).  We have many players that are either injured, not playing to their potential or they are way passed their prime and they need to go.

I hope Jazz VP Kevin O'Connor understands this, and that he is man enough to do something instead of just making another lame salary dump and forgetting about even making the playoffs. Maybe KOC is the one that needs to change. Maybe DWill's competitiveness needs to translate over into the front office, maybe that front office needs to look at their jobs as something more than a job and look at it as a competition. Because there are millions of us out there that would die to do their jobs and would most likely and at very least do it with more passion and competition and with fire in our eyes.

I can think of a million different trade scenarios and possibilities that would make this team a better team. If I can do that then I know someone like KOC sure as hell can. KOC if you are listening, I'm telling you to pull the trigger and be a man. Take some risks and maybe they will pay off. Stop being afraid of bringing a big name or names to Utah. Don't give me the lame excuse that we are a small market. Greg Miller has already proclaimed that the pocketbook won't be a restraint on this team. And if winning a championship is the result that it should not be. He himself has said that he is willing to take risks. Last year we gave up too many players  that would be benefiting this team immensely right now and currently we have players that are just a thorn in our side. So Lets take the risk and lets put together not just a playoff team but a championship team. 

Here you go Kevin, I'll give you a few ideas to help you get started. Okur, Kirilenko, Fesenko, Miles, Price are all very dispensable and replaceable players on this team.

• First, we need a pure shooter. We lost that when we lost Korver and you never replaced that. Shane Battier of the Rockets for a CJ Miles and maybe Price is a possible move amongst others.
• Second, with AK most likely leaving after this season and for sure past his prime then why not trade him for a Richard Hamilton of the Pistons? Hamilton and Dwill together is a force to be reckoned with, but KOC are you willing to take such a risk?
• And last, we need a complementary big man to Al Jefferson. We need a so called "Twin Towers" in Utah. Its our turn for such a claim. How about making a move towards a Marc Gasol, Andrew Bynum, David Lee, or Andrew Bogut.

The Jazz fans have earned the right to have a so called "dream team" in Utah. We show the dedication and heart in our players. KOC be a man amongst boys and make the move. After all is said and done the right decision is the one that gets us not only back to the Finals, but get us that first and most elusive championship title.

DON'T LET JAZZ NATION DOWN! WE LOVE THIS TEAM!

via www2.pictures.gi.zimbio.com

                Maybe these two could join forces in Utah? 

I know this is speculation but I think that New Jersey Nets part owner Mikhail Prokhorov would like to acquire AK from the Jazz. Troy Murphy is sitting home without any work because he does not want to play for the Nets organization. Maybe he would come to Utah? Would this be a good pick up for Utah? AK does have an expiring contract after this year and it would be nice to get someone for him, instead of just letting him go. Plus I think Murphy might have a better jumper at this point in his career and maybe just as many blocked shots as AK.

via nbcprobasketballtalk.files.wordpress.com

via assets.nydailynews.com

I want everyone to post just one name of a quarterback who you see as the quarterback of the future for the 49ers. It can be a player yet to be drafted, a seasoned vet, or a big time star that could be involved in a blockbuster trade. This is the one guy that you see that will lead us back to Super Bowl prominence and consistent, expected wins. I have many ideas of guys that I think could possibly fill this role. However, I will post only one name and give no reasons explaining my pick and I ask if you all will please do the same. I am interested to see the feedback from the Niner Nation.

My choice, criticize it if you will, is...

Kellen Moore, QB Boise State

via i.cdn.turner.com

So I would like to know if they 49ers new stadium is still in the works. I haven't heard much about it as of late and I was wondering if they are still planning on building it at the site in Santa Clara. I really like the idea of the new stadium and new coaching staff and quarterback. A totally revamping of the organization seems to be what we need right now.

via football.ballparks.com

I have been a die hard 49er fan from Utah my whole life and I finally went to a game this past season at Candelstick. I saw the Rams game that we won in overtime. I was surprisingly not disappointed with the play of the team that game but I was slightly disappointed with the stadium. It carries a lot of history and a lot of great games were played there, but they for sure need to get going on that new stadium. Its super run down and old, and the 49er franchise deserves a state of the art facility.  Can anyone update me on the situation? What are your thoughts about the new stadium and its location. I'm sure fans from San Jose and those areas will be happier about a Santa Clara site.

via static.nfl.com