Utah Jazz 2008-2009 Lineup

Without knowing who the Jazz draft in June of 2008, here are the lineups for the next year. Some of the sqauds are my own ideas, but I really think that they could work. Oh, and it revolves around the idea that Jarron Collins is history, Jason Hart leaves on his free agency, and CJ Miles stays to play for the Jazz for at least one more season.

1st Unit
Point: Deron Williams
Shooting: Ronnie Brewer
Small: Andrei Kirilenko
Power: Carlos Boozer
Center: Mehmet Okur

2nd Unit
Point: Ronnie Price
Shooting: Morris Almond
Small: Kyle Korver
Power: Paul Millsap
Center: Kyrylo Fesenko

Shooting Team
Point: Deron Williams
Shooting: Morris Almond
Small: Kyle Korver
Power: Carlos Boozer
Center: Mehmet Okur

Big Squad
Point: Deron Williams
Shooting: Andrei Kirilenko
Small: Paul Millsap
Power: Carlos Boozer
Center: Mehmet Okur

Defense
Point: Deron Williams
Shooting: Kyle Korver
Small: Paul Millsap or Andrei Kirilenko
Power: Carlos Boozer
Center: Mehmet Okur

Energetic Squad
Point: Ronnie Price
Shooting: CJ Miles
Small: Ronnie Brewer
Power: Paul Millsap

Center: Kyrylo Fesenko

With Kyrylo being as young as he is, I would hope that the jazz could draft a big man to breed competition and make either one better. Roy Hibbert from Georgetown will probably still be around by the 22nd pick. I mean, we snagged Almond with a 25 so we could get lucky and get another steal at 22. Good summer Jazz!

The Great Debate

CP3 vs DWILL

The two best young point guards are still perennial rivals.

Being a biased but still correct Utah Jazz fan, Deron is easily better (Just Kidding)

Entering this year's playoffs with the possibility of the Jazz meeting the Hornets in the Conference Finals was just too much to fathom. It was fate that set them in the seeds they were. Neither had it easy: Utah had to go through the top-seeded LA Lakers and New Orleans had to go through the defending Champion San Antonio Spurs. With a Utah v NO conference final, both point guards would be able to showcase their talent in a one-on-one dual that would include some of the best highlights of all the playoffs.

There was one snag though: They both ran into teams they couldn't handle. Teams with more experience. Teams that wanted it more.

After cleaning out their respective lockers for the summer, both stand on equal ground. Their respective teams lost close second round series to veteran teams and coaching staffs. Both have much to look forward to as well, with the opportunity to represent their country around the corner. Deron Williams was selected to play in the FIBA Americas tournament last summer with Coach K and team USA, a team that easily swept the competition. With the numbers Chris Paul put up this season there is little wonder whether he will get another shot at impressing the coaching staff. The roster from those 2007 summer games will be expanded to include many players and again be cut down until it reaches 12. My bet is that DWILL and CP3 will both get an invite to the Olympic games and both will play exemplary.

But if one makes it and the other doesn't, it only adds to a debate that will never end: Who is better?

Personally, I would take Deron. He's bigger. He has been put into a system where he doesn't have free range to do as he pleases like Paul. There is no way he is as quick or as good of a penetrater or driver as Paul, but he has an air about him. Playing the Mavericks in the Post Season, Paul was seen pounding his chest and yelling "he can't guard me! He can't guard me!" referring to veteran Jason Kidd. It was true, but the arrogance and cockiness that Chris Paul showed on National Television is just another reason that Deron Williams is a better fit for the Jazz who have had a long history of taking cleaner, more humble players than most teams. My pick is Deron, but so many say otherwise.

The only common ground is this: Paul and Williams are utterly amazing to watch. They have completely different styles, but both excel in their own systems. Their teams will meet in the playoffs next year for sure, mark my words.

PREDICTIONS

Conference Finals

Spurs in 7

Celtics in 7

NBA Finals

Celtics in 7

As far as I know, that would make the Celtics the only team to have every series go 7 games and win the title. Strange, huh?