By Johnathan Kendrick


Those who have children should have no trouble relating to the Jazz this year. Those who don’t should be taking notes. I’ll explain.

When children are born they can do nothing wrong. The first part of their lives they are the cutest, most well behaved children ever born, and their potential – don’t get a parent started. Things change – just ask your parents. No matter how perfect that kid is to start off with, sooner or later that child will do something that you wish they wouldn’t have. Its not the end of the world; the future is still there, but there can be some tough times.

The Jazz started out this season with all the hype, and everyone was talking about how good this team was. At 6-1, the west had been won, in our hearts at least. Then came 8-11; that was a tough time, but how did the Jazz ever get there? The same way any good kid gets into trouble.

There are always those kids that you don’t want your kid playing with. You know the ones I am talking about – those New Orleans Hornets or Chicago Bulls -- they’re no good. Nothing but trouble. Everyone knows if you hang around them you are going to lose. And hang around them the Jazz did – and in the end they lost. You need to keep a large cushion between yourself and bad teams. Knock them out early and stay ahead.

You have to be able to put things away. If your child has a game out, and it doesn’t get put away, things are going to get lost, especially if it’s your game at someone else’s house. When you have the Seattle Sonics down and out on their own court – you've got to put the game away. Three air balls in the last 35 seconds and two more in overtime won’t get the game put away.

At times, especially when parents have good Ideas, children will mock their parents and try to do the same things they have seen their elders do. Before the Miami game, Jerry Sloan had a new idea. The Jazz skipped the morning scouting report choosing to focus on their own offense instead of the Heat's. The Jazz, doing their best impression, used game time to ignore Miami’s offense, especially that of Damon Jones, who scored several timely buckets hitting 7 three point baskets.

Finally the “no” phase. The terrible two’s. Of course children are teething and learning and generally refusing orders when they think they know better. The Jazz are playing NO defense and are taking quicker shots instead of executing.

The last few games the Jazz have shown some sign of coming together. The terrible second month might be over – maybe. The Jazz are embarking on a road trip that will be telling. Road trips can be long journeys when everyone onboard is not on the same page. Lets hope the Jazz have cut their teeth and are ready to go. Ironically the last phase might be a reversal of roles, as we, the fans, will be watching the road closely and repeating over and over “are we there yet?”