SLAM DUNKS: A 2004 NBA All-Star, F Andre Kirilenko (15.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 4.3 apg, 3.19 bpg) causes matchup problems on both ends of the court. He outhustles the opposition up and down the floor and can be explosive around the rim. ... G Deron Williams (10.8, 4.5 apg, 41.3 percent 3-pointers) was the team's best 3-point shooter. After enduring coach Sloan's criticisms early in the season, he got better as the campaign went on. ... C Mehmet Okur (18.0, 9.1 rpg) isn't that impressive to look at and probably couldn't intimidate a high school team. But he puts up solid numbers every night and hustles to make up for any athletic deficiencies. Any team would be glad to have him.

AIRBALLS: F Carlos Boozer (16.3 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 55 percent FG) has played in only 80 of 162 games with Utah due to injuries. ... It is not his fault Toronto selected him with the eighth pick in the 2004 draft, but C Rafael Araujo (2.3, 2.8) has been a bust his first two seasons. Maybe a change in scenery to Utah will help. ... It seems blasphemous to be critical of Fisher (13.3 ppg, 4.3 apg, 39.7 percent 3-pointers) - clutch shooter, good locker room guy, yada, yada, yada. But he costs $26.5 million over the next four seasons and plays the same position as Williams, whom the team is trying to develop. GUESSWORK: How long does Sloan want to coach? Just as important, how long will the players listen to him? We know Salt Lake City is unlike most other NBA cities, but even the most conservative places need change every once in a while. There are no Stocktons and Malones on the horizon, and the system seems antiquated. Yet this team just missed the playoffs by three games - definitely a head-scratcher of a club.

THINKING CAP: The payroll for the Jazz isn't bad. The age-old problem is getting the superstar players to want to play in Utah. ... Boozer, even though his contract is not obscene, is still due over $47 million for the next four seasons. He must stay healthy and give the club better production or he could be trade bait.

D-LEAGUE CANDIDATE: Millsap

THE COACH SAYS: "This team could be a good basketball team if we can avoid some injuries. Hopefully this year, with some of the additions of our team, we can sustain an injury whereas last year we couldn't sustain an injury because we weren't deep enough. We had guys on the roster, but they didn't have experience. We still have guys that don't have a lot of experience, but they have a little more athletic ability that can hold us in there and keep us competing. If we can compete hard, we're going to win some games we aren't supposed to."