2011
As many Jazz fans can remember, the 2010-11 season for the Jazz was a bit ugly. Midway through the season, after an argument in the locker at halftime against the Chicago Bulls, Jerry Sloan decided it was time to step down. The very next day, he did just that as he held a press conference to announce his retirement from coaching basketball. The argument was said to be between Sloan and Jazz point guard Deron Williams. There have been other things said to dispute that, but it all points to that is what happened. Through 54 games that season, Sloan posted a record of 31-23 and then called it quits. His last game coached ironically came against Bulls new forward, Carlos Boozer, who spent so many years under Sloan’s system and had great success.
Tyrone Corbin took over as the new head coach after Sloan stepped down. Just like Sloan, his long time assistant Phil Johnson stepped down as well. Corbin took over a team that was already struggling, having lost 10 of it’s previous 14 games. Then more drama came, as the Jazz traded their All-Star point guard Williams to the New Jersey Nets. In exchange for Williams, the Jazz received Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, as well as future first round picks. One of those first round picks came in the 2011 draft sitting at the number three position.
That first round pick turned into Enes Kanter, who didn’t get to play in college due to NCAA ineligibility sanctions. Kanter ended up having a decent rookie season, averaging 4.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game playing primarily as the back up big man to Al Jefferson. Kanter continues to improve his game with the Jazz, but struggled a bit to get going this season after coming off of a shoulder injury that kept him out the remainder of his sophomore season.
The Jazz had two picks in the first round, and their own pick put them at number 12 in the first round. With that pick, the Jazz selected Alec Burks out of the University of Colorado. Burks played pretty well his rookie season with the Jazz, averaging 7.2 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Burks has been one of the first players off the bench for the Jazz since his rookie season, but he looked like he might be ready to be put in the starting lineup this season. However, Burks took over the sixth man role for the Jazz and played it extremely well. Burks averaged career highs with 14.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.
Burks, as well as Kanter, are both entering into their fourth season with the Jazz. The Jazz will have a choice to make this off season as both players will be looking for contract extensions before the October 31st deadline. If they don’t get a deal done, they will become restricted free agents beginning next off season.