The Wheels are Falling Off

10 days ago, Utah was in position to take over second place in the Western Conference and head into the playoffs with a very favorable outlook. It was easy to envision them taking care of their first round opponent and having a great chance of going to the Conference finals.

Then the basketball gods stretched out their angry hands. Andrei Kirilenko is most likely done for the year. Mehmet Okur slipped on his ankle in the Game 1 loss to the Denver Nuggets, and he is done for the year. He might not even be able to play for Turkey this summer, as he was planning on doing. Carlos Boozer played well in the loss to the Nuggets, but he could easily wake up with a stuffy nose and be done for the year, so things are looking pretty bleak for the Jazz at this point.

Which isn't to say we've given up hope yet. C.J. Miles had a great first half in Denver until he injured a finger on his shooting hand. Deron Williams was a monster in the second half, and he's going to have to carry the load if the Jazz are going to come out of the series alive. Jerry Sloan will need to devise a few plays that include Kosta Koufos, a sledgehammer, and Carmelo Anthony's knees. Otherwise, they're going to need a miracle. Tonight is Game 2 in Denver, so we'll have a better idea of how the Jazz might fare with their back against the wall. If we're going to win the series, I say we need to steal this one tonight. Here's hoping the basketball gods aren't reading this.