Utah Jazz: Top Five Problems Facing The Jazz

Remember at the beginning of the season when the Utah Jazz streaked to a 5-0 start and looked as if the problems that had plagued them in last year's campaign where eliminated?

Since then, the Jazz have been, well, mediocre at best. What bothers me the most is that Utah has had flashes of brilliance against good teams, but somehow falls apart against the Thunder? I don't get it.

Here are the top five issues I see that need to be rectified for Utah to have a legit shot in the playoffs, if they can make it.

1. Injuries

Since opening day, the Jazz have not had their starting line-up in a single game at full strength. So I don't see a reason how this can not be the number one problem that has hurt the Jazz.

First, it was Deron Williams with a high ankle sprain in the preseason that kept him sidelined for a good three weeks into the regular season. Not only that, but it has taken him a long time to get back to full speed.

Carlos Boozer has been out, it seems like forever now, with a knee injury and could be back after the All-Star break.

Matt Harpring, Mehmet Okur, Paul Milsap, Brevin Knight, C.J. Miles, and Andrei Kirilenko have all spent time on the bench with injuries this season.

If Utah can get completely healthy they could be a tough team to deal with come playoff time. Luckily for the Jazz their depth on the bench has kept them in contention for a playoff spot.

2. Trouble on the Road

What is it with the Jazz on the road?

At home they are one of, if not the, toughest team to beat, with a record of 16-4. On the road, however, they are a sub .500 team with a dismal 8-13 record.

This has been a problem for a long time now, and it is something that needs to be fixed. I don't quite understand how this is, because Utah is a team that is known for toughness and discipline.

But somehow, on the road all that seems to disappear and the Jazz seem to play down to the level of the competition that they are playing instead of playing Utah Jazz basketball.

3. Lack of killer instinct

When was the last time you saw the Jazz just obliterate a lesser team? I honestly can't remember.

I know it happens every once in awhile, but that will happen in the NBA occasionally.

With the Jazz, however, it should happen more often, yet doesn't. Utah doesn't seem to have that killer instinct to finish off opponents and get them out of the game. Even when they are up big, they seem to let teams back in the game and make it harder than it should be.

I would usually say that is just a lack of coaching, but I doubt it is that with Jerry Sloan on the bench running things. Someone on the floor needs to take charge and keep the pedal to the metal until the final horn blows.

4. Consistency

It's rare to see the Jazz play a full game at top form. There always seems to be a point in the game when the Jazz just let up or don't run their offense and either let teams back in the game or shoot themselves out of one.

Bringing the ball down, shooting one jump shot, and that's it as far as offense goes, (you know what I'm talking about Jazz fans) it is something that needs fixing. Teams in the West will open a big lead if you give them a window like that.

5. Carlos Boozer

I guess you could spin this a lot of different ways, but whatever way you look at it, Carlos Boozer has been a problem for the Jazz ever since his injury.

There has been a very large positive with the emergence of Paul Milsap, but with that they lost a big boost off the bench. Also, his contract opt-out drama is not a healthy thing to have around a team.

There has been a large amount of trade talk, but I don't see it happening because who wants a guy coming off an injury that is going to play 20 games for you then opt out? It just doesn't make sense.

What I think will have to happen is, when he finally comes back, he well put up the same kind of numbers he was in the opening month of the season, help the Jazz in the playoffs, then do his thing in the offseason.

The Jazz are a very good team—many people know this but there are just a few things keeping them from playing like one.

If they can get just one or two of these things fixed, then the Jazz will have a legit shot at playing well into the playoffs.

Do you think Jazz fans can we do it? Only time will tell.