SALT LAKE CITY — EnergySolutions Arena may have never looked or sounded as good as it will Friday night for the Utah Jazz.

If a team was ever in need of a home-crowd boost, it’s this ragtag collection that has suffered back-to-back beatdowns.

Their aim was so off in Los Angeles, they might not have been able to point in the direction of a B-list actor at Staples Center.

Their ability to stop someone was so poor in Denver, Tim Tebow might have been able to throw for 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns on them if they wore pads.

If that sounds overly harsh, give another glance at the final scores: Lakers 96, Jazz 71 and Nuggets 117, Utah 100.

Utah players don’t just need to find an elusive identity, consistency, properly functioning combinations, defensive rotations, team chemistry and a commitment to put forth enough effort to win.

Their juiceless battery could use a jumpstart from a crowd that’s done that so many times over the past three decades.

“We’re still trying to figure it out. Hopefully in the next few days we’ll figure it out, especially with our young group,” Jazz sixth man Paul Millsap said after Wednesday’s game. “I think home court advantage will help us, give us a little energy, let us get out and run a bit.”

Heck, maybe even win a game — or at least have a chance to win one.

In reality, there’s only so much of an edge 19,911 fans can give a team. There is a reason why one group pays to get in, while the other much smaller (in numbers) and more talented group gets paid to be there.

Ultimately, it’s up to Jazz players and coaches to get their acts together and play up to their potential.

“We’ll see what type of team we are the next couple of games,” second-year Jazz small forward Gordon Hayward said.

Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin took extra time after Wednesday’s loss to emphasize to his entire team — players, staff and himself — that everybody is responsible to do his part.

“They have to step up and do it. We have to as a coaching staff and myself. We have to lead them through it,” Corbin said. “It’s a young bunch of guys for the most part. We’ve got to grow together.”

The second-year coach believes that will happen, that player development and victories can happen simultaneously.

“I’m not quitting on the guys, and I don’t think they’ll quit on me. But we’ve got to get things figured out,” Corbin said. “We’ve got to learn to trust each other as players on the floor and just go out and compete together as a group of guys and not as individuals, two or three guys going hard. We’ve got to have everybody competing on the floor.”

DENVER — The Pepsi Center hoops appeared to be bigger than the ones at Staples Center.

Unfortunately for the Utah Jazz, that went both ways.

A night after their offense was nowhere to be found in a lopsided loss against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Jazz hit some shots and scored just fine.

But their defense disappeared.

Rotations, team help, effort and any chance at winning all evaporated in the thin Mile High air on Wednesday night, too.

The result was another embarrassing 117-100 blowout — this one by the Denver Nuggets.

“We have to get better. … We’ve had two tough losses,” said Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin, whose team lost by an average 21 points in back-to-back nights. “We’ve got to get back together and continue to work and fight. We’ve got to learn to trust each other on the defensive end of the floor and get it figured out.”

Utah did hit 48 percent of its field goals in Denver’s building after missing a whopping 61 shots while shooting 32 percent against the Lakers in an awful offensive showing, so there’s that.

But Denver had its way with Utah’s restructured defense, which resembled a church-ball team.

The Jazz gave up 68 points in the paint, allowed Nene to score 25 points, watched Andre Miller dish out 12 assists and Al Harrington drop in 18 points off the bench, cranked their necks as speedy Ty Lawson burst to the hoop time after time, helplessly permitted the Nuggets to shoot a sizzling 53.5 percent, and let the home track team run and jump all over, around and above them.

That was one long paragraph — and an even longer night — for a deficient defense.

Giving up lobs, drives, backdoor cuts and transition baskets disgusted Corbin.

“That’s unacceptable,” he said. “That’s just effort. That’s disappointing.”

The second-year coach had a longer-than-usual postgame chat with his team, taking an extra 10 minutes or so to try to impress on them the need to play harder and together.

Sure, they’re a work in progress. They’ve got an odd mix of inexperienced talent and capable veterans. But they lack an identity and consistency, with the offense and defense trading turns at stinking it up.

“We’ve got to get things figured out quickly,” Corbin said. “The effort we got for the most part today wasn’t satisfactory, so we wanted to have a discussion about it.”

Things started somewhat promising for Utah, which is in the midst of a rough six-games-in-eight-nights stretch.

Center Al Jefferson scored 10 of his team-best 19 points in the first quarter after missing 14 of 16 shots against the Lakers. But Utah’s starting five of Devin Harris, Raja Bell, Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors and Big Al still didn’t completely click, falling behind 28-23 after the first 12 minutes.

Denver • Alec Burks used one word to capture all his feelings and emotions: crazy.

A year ago, Burks was a sleek, athletic guard for the Colorado Buffaloes. Now he’s a backup wing for the Jazz.

The No. 12 overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft played six scoreless minutes Tuesday in Utah’s 2011-12 season opener, recording two assists and one rebound in a blowout road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

He then spent pregame warmups Wednesday working out on the same Pepsi Center floor that friend and ex-Denver guard Chauncey Billups once roamed.

It’s been a long, crazy trip for the 20-year-old Burks. And it’s only just begun.

“I could be in school right now — Christmas break, really,” said Burks, prior to tipoff Wednesday night against the Nuggets. “It’s a great feeling. I’m living my dream out right now.”

Burks is still devoted to the Buffaloes. So are his friends. Where most NBA players are hounded for ticket requests whenever they make their rookie debut in a once-familiar state, Burks expected few well-known faces to show up Wednesday.

Why? The Buffaloes were hosting New Orleans in nearby Boulder, Colo.

Story continues below

“I’d rather them support the Colorado team,” Burks said.

Young fouls

Just because 20-year-old power forward Derrick Favors made his second consecutive start Wednesday doesn’t mean he’s fully NBA-ready.

Favors has wowed everyone from Jazz coaches to fans with his potential and rightfully earned his spot in Utah’s first unit. But foul trouble still plagues the second-year stud.

He recorded four fouls in 19 minutes against the Lakers, and two of the penalties came in the game’s first 7 minutes.

“He’s going to learn. He’s a young guy,” coach Tyrone Corbin said. “He’s got to learn the referees. He’s got to learn when he can be aggressive. I like the fact that he [goes] after the ball. He makes some fouls — they’re young fouls.”

Next Page »

Denver • QUARTER-BY-QUARTER ANALYSIS

The First: Nuggets 28, Jazz 23

Al Jefferson starts smooth, scoring eight of Utah’s first 10 points. Ty Lawson speeds the game up, though, and the Nuggets’ offense starts to take control midway through the period.

The Second: Nuggets 63, Jazz 46

Denver misses eight 3-point attempts to open the game, and back-to-back 3s by Devin Harris pull the Jazz within 44-40. The Nuggets go on a 21-6 run, though, closing the half strong.

The Third: Nuggets 88, Jazz 66

Utah’s porous defense bottoms out, with Denver easily zipping by for free open looks at the basket. The Jazz defend neither the paint nor the perimeter, and the Nuggets go up by 22.

The Fourth: Nuggets 117, Jazz 100

Story continues below

Alec Burks scores eight quick points and runs the floor with confidence. However, the Jazz’s defense never shows up and Utah sends in its reserves during garbage time.

Jazz-Nuggets matchup box

http://bit.ly/vaHvTm

Jazz-Nuggets game preview box

http://bit.ly/vl3TaO

Follow the in-game live chat at http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/53194593-77/story.csp

Twitter: @tribjazz

Next Page »

Denver • QUARTER-BY-QUARTER ANALYSIS

The First: Nuggets 28, Jazz 23

Al Jefferson starts smooth, scoring eight of Utah’s first 10 points. Ty Lawson speeds the game up, though, and the Nuggets’ offense starts to take control midway through the period.

The Second: Nuggets 63, Jazz 46

Denver misses eight 3-point attempts to open the game, and back-to-back 3s by Devin Harris pull the Jazz within 44-40. The Nuggets go on a 21-6 run, though, closing the half strong.

The Third: Nuggets 88, Jazz 66

Utah’s porous defense bottoms out, with Denver easily zipping by for free open looks at the basket. The Jazz defend neither the paint nor the perimeter, and the Nuggets go up by 22.

The Fourth: Nuggets 117, Jazz 100

Story continues below

Alec Burks scores eight quick points and runs the floor with confidence. However, the Jazz’s defense never shows up and Utah sends in its reserves during garbage time.

Jazz-Nuggets matchup box

http://bit.ly/vaHvTm

Jazz-Nuggets game preview box

http://bit.ly/vl3TaO

Follow the in-game live chat at http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/53194593-77/story.csp

Twitter: @tribjazz

Next Page »

SALT LAKE CITY – The Jazz schedule has been released and
with two fewer months and only 16 fewer games the season
will come and go quickly. The Jazz will play back-to-back
18 times (they only had 13 back-to-back games last year)
along with one
brutal back-to-back-to-back. They begin the season with
some conference rivals and end the season on a nice home
stretch.

Some interesting quirks of this season are: The Jazz will
be the last team to start their season. The Hawks will
also play their first game on Dec. 27, but they will start
earlier in the day. The first five games will be against
playoff teams last year: Lakers, Nuggets, 76ers, Spurs and
Hornets.

The Jazz will only play three games on the road in
January, the lowest amount of road games in a full month
of play since February of 2009 when they again played
three. They will play three division opponents in January.
The Jazz only have six home games in February, the lowest
amount in any full month this season.

The Jazz play the Blazers three times in April. They will
play the Lakers, Portland, San Antonio, Sacramento, Dallas
and Golden State four times. They play division opponents
Denver, Oklahoma
City and Minnesota three times.

Here is a look at some highlights of the schedule that
Jazz fans can look forward to:

Dec. 27: The season starts with the Jazz visiting
the Lakers on Dec. 27. It will be the Lakers third game
and the tail end of their back-to-back-to-back.

Dec. 28: The Jazz play the Nuggets for the first
time this season.

Jan. 3: Former Ute Andrew Bogut and the Bucks play
in Energy Solutions Arena.

Jan. 11: The Jazz will play Kobe and the Lakers for
the
first time in Utah.

Jan. 14: Deron Williams comes back to town with the
Nets.

Jan. 21: Jazz will play division Timberwolves at
home.

Jan. 28: Jimmer will return to the Utah twice in
the new schedule, Jan. 28 and March 30. The Jazz will play
the Kings in Sacramento Feb. 28 and March 22.

Jan. 30: Wes Matthews will come back with the
Trailblazers for the first time this season.

Feb. 10: Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook bring
the Thunder to Energy Solutions Arena for the first
matchup between the division teams. They will play again
four days later in Oklahoma.

Feb. 12-14: The Jazz play their back-to-back-to-
back as they travel to Memphis, New Orleans and Oklahoma
City.

Feb. 29: They will play on Leap Day for the second
straight Leap Year. They play Houston at home. They lost
last time 110-98 in New Orleans.

March 2: LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh
bring the Miami Heat to Utah.

March 3-10: The Jazz play five-straight road games,
the longest of the season. They visit Dallas, Cleveland,
Charlotte, Philadelphia and Chicago. Last season they had
one such streak and went 0-5.

March 10: The Jazz play their lone game against
Carlos Boozer and the Bulls in Chicago.

March 30: The second time Jimmer returns to Utah.

Apr. 8-9: The Jazz play the Spurs two nights in a
row, at San Antonio then at home. They have play one team
two
games in a row every year since the ’06-’07 season.

Apr. 13-14: The last back-to-back of the season, at
New Orleans and at Memphis.

Apr. 18: Final road game of the season at Portland.

Apr. 26: Final game of the regular season home
against Portland.

SALT LAKE CITY— The Utah Jazz have a preseason dancing partner.

Unfortunately for BYU fans, it is not Jimmer Fredette and the Sacramento Kings.

The Jazz will play a pair of exhibition contests against the Portland Trail Blazers, according to KSL.

Portland, which features former Jazz guard Wesley Matthews, will host Utah on Dec. 19. The two teams will then head to Salt Lake City for a Dec. 21 matchup at EnergySolutions Arena, according to at tweet by Jazz broadcaster David Locke.

Ticket information has not yet been released.

The NBA’s irregular season is set to begin on Dec. 25, though it’s believed the Jazz will start the following day. The original schedule had Utah hosting Denver on Monday, Dec. 26.

The full 66-game schedule has yet to be released, but could be coming this week, according to national reports.

Teams and agents have been allowed to begin discussing player movement, although nothing formal can be agreed upon until Dec. 9, pending ratification of the new collective bargaining agreement.

Players will also be welcome to use team facilities beginning Thursday after being locked out of NBA buildings since July 1.

Email: jody@desnews.comTwitter: DJJazzyJody

July 7, 2011 – NBA Development League (D-League) Idaho Stampede
BOISE, Idaho, July 7, 2011 – The Idaho Stampede have been named the NBA Development League affiliate of the NBA’s Utah Jazz, the Stampede, Jazz and league offices announced today. In addition to the Stampede’s affiliation with the Jazz, the Stampede will keep its affiliations already held with the Denver Nuggets (2009-present) and Portland Trail Blazers (2007-present).

The Stampede were previously an affiliate of the Jazz during the 2006-07 season. The Stampede have also been affiliates of the Seattle SuperSonics (2006-2008) and Toronto Raptors (2008-09).

“Many Stampede fans are also Utah Jazz fans, dating back from their first days in Utah, to the great years under Jerry Sloan and now as they fight for an NBA championship in a new era,” Stampede President and GM Steve Brandes said. “We have always viewed the Jazz as one of the most successful organizations in any sport; their ownership, basketball operations and business sides have all been a consistent winner throughout the years. We wish to draw upon their success as we move into our 15th year in minor league basketball.”

The Jazz have been an NBA club since 1974 when the team was established in New Orleans. The team was moved to Salt Lake City in 1979 and the Jazz have been one of the winningest teams in the NBA ever since, primarily under the ownership of the Miller family, which bought the team outright in 1986. The Jazz have made two NBA Finals, coming in 1997 and ’98.

“Our relationships with the Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets have been successful since we began our affiliations with them,” Brandes said. “Having a third respected, well-run organization as one of our parent clubs will only add that much more value to our basketball and business operations.”

Since moving to Salt Lake City, the Utah Jazz have made the playoffs 24 times, won eight division titles, had a two-time NBA MVP and have had four players win gold medals in the Summer Olympics.

“I’m thrilled that the coaches and I will get to work with the Jazz basketball operations office and coaching staff,” Stampede Head Coach Randy Livingston said. “I was lucky enough to play for the Utah Jazz in my NBA career and I can say that the Jazz are one of the best, most professional teams in the NBA.”

• Discuss this story on the NBA Development League message board…

• Digg this story

• Add to Del.icio.us

• Energy, Chicago Bulls Continue Affiliation – Iowa Energy

• Stampede Named Affiliate of Utah Jazz – Idaho Stampede

• Maine Red Claws Add New NBA Affiliation – Maine Red Claws

• Jam Announce 2011-12 Season Affiliates – Bakersfield Jam

• Reno Bighorns to be Affiliated with Sacramento, Atlanta, Memphis – Reno Bighorns

• NBA Announces Affiliations with NBA Development League for 2011-12 Season – D-League

• Cleveland Cavaliers Bring NBA Development League Team to Canton, Ohio – D-League

• New NBA D-League Team Coming to Canton – Canton

• Energy Giving Away Championship Ring – Iowa Energy

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

By Josh Dubow, Associated Press

OAKLAND, Calif. — Mark Jackson’s leadership skills as a player more than outweighed his lack of coaching experience when it came time for the Golden State Warriors to hire their coach.

The Warriors hired Jackson to replace Keith Smart on Monday, giving the former point guard and television analyst his first chance to be a head coach on the game’s biggest stage.

“He epitomized leadership as a player in this league for 17 seasons and we think that characteristic — and many other positive traits — will translate very well into his coaching duties with our young team,” owner Joe Lacob said in a statement. “He was a leader and a winner both on and off the floor in this league and we’re convinced that he is the right person to guide this team into the future and help us achieve the success that we are striving for as an organization.”

Jackson played 17 years as a point guard in the NBA, for New York, the Clippers, Indiana, Denver, Toronto, Utah and Houston. He won Rookie of the Year honors in 1988 and made the playoffs 14 times. He ranks third on the NBA’s all-time assists list.

But he has never coached, spending the past few seasons as the lead analyst for ESPN and ABC for their NBA coverage. He won’t start his new job until after he’s finished calling the NBA finals.

His first coaching job is a daunting one, taking over a team that has made the playoffs just once since 1994.

“I am really elated about this opportunity and I’m looking forward to the challenge of building the Warriors into a perennial contender,” Jackson said.

Jackson played for five Hall of Fame coaches in his college and pro career: Lou Carnesecca, Lenny Wilkens, Jerry Sloan, Pat Riley and Larry Brown.

Jackson, 46, had been looking to get into coaching while working as an analyst in recent years. He interviewed for the opening in New Orleans last year and was one of three finalists for the Minnesota job in 2009, but lost out to Kurt Rambis. He also interviewed in previous years for openings in Phoenix, New York and Chicago.

He finally ended up getting the offer he wanted from the Warriors, who have made big changes in the front office and coaching staff under Lacob’s new ownership.

“I have sensed that Joe is committed to winning and building a team and a culture the right way,” Jackson said. “I think we all witnessed that with some of the recent front office additions as well and some of the other positive things that have been done in recent months. This is an incredible opportunity.”