Hey all you die hard basketball fans! The 2009-2010 NBA regular season is upon us and the Jazz head to Denver for their showdown with the Nuggets. Follow me on my BLOG this season as I bring you and inside look at the 2009-2010 Utah Jazz season. I'll give you my opinion on whatever is going on in that head of yours and keep you up to date on my daily adventures. Here's a taste of what's on my mind today as the Jazz prepare to for the season:

If I had a dollar for every time I heard the question, “Thurl, how are the Jazz going to be this year?” I’d be making as much as Paul Milsap. I wish I did have that Crystal ball to look into the future of this year’s Jazz team, although I’d probably only use it to make me look that much smarter than Pace.
In my opinion there really is only one word that sums up what we all should be watching for with the Jazz this season….HEALTH. As simple as that may sound, to me it is initially the biggest hurdle that this Jazz team must get over. I’ll break it down for you in two parts.

Physical health: Last year Jazz fans anticipated that the Jazz’s nucleus (Williams, Boozer, Kirelinko, Okur, Korver & Milsap) would take the Jazz far in the playoffs and possibly to the Western Conference Finals, but never really got to see all of those players play together for any significant stretch of time because of injuries. Although injuries are one of those factors one can never control, let’s hope that the Jazz have better luck this season than last. Having C J, Matt, and Kyle out…is not a good sign!

Mental health: This is really all about individual and team attitude! Everybody wants to know how Carlos Boozer’s attitude is going to be this year. (That’s the second most asked question I get.) Carlos, is going to have his best season ever! Don’t be so shocked by my answer. I mean, wouldn’t you want to if you were him. First of all, regardless of where he wants to be, (or doesn’t) he’s a great player and the Jazz are a better team with him on it regardless of how you feel about his defensive skills. You know what you get with Carlos and what you get is a guys who makes a 20 point 20 rebound night look as easy as any player I’ve ever seen.
The trick will be whether anyone else besides Deron Williams will step up night after night as a leader. Not just with his play but also with his voice and attitude. Whose going to be the guy who leads the rally on the road to knock someone on their ass and set the tone to start living up the legend of Jerry Sloan coached teams? A 15-26 road record just won’t do.