First-place Jazz striking right notes
15th Nov 2006, 01:41 GMT
The small forward is the team's lone shot blocker, the center is a three-point bomber, and the power forward is undersized. So how did Utah -- which has beaten the Rockets, Suns and Pistons this season and had the best record (6-1) in the league at week's end -- so quickly recover from losing the Hall of Fame duo of John Stockton and Karl Malone three years ago? The Jazz has embarked on this promising new era by quickly and shrewdly assembling the NBA's most intriguing front line: small forward Andrei Kirilenko, power forward Carlos Boozer and center Mehmet Okur. At week's end the three were averaging a combined 46.4 points and 27.9 rebounds, and Utah was in the top four in scoring, rebounding, assists and field goal percentage. The trio's impressive start, in combination with the slew of injury and chemistry issues haunting defending Northwest champion Denver (2-3), has made the Jazz the favorite to win its first division title in seven years.
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