New Jersey Takes Plan-B Pill

For the past several years, the New Jersey Nets have had little to cheer for which was why the thought alone of Carmelo Anthony being traded to the garden state caused such a stir. Instead, the Brooklyn native was granted his wish and was sent to the New York Knickerbockers. However, the Nets didn't let their failed attempt at landing the highly coveted All-Star bother them and instead moved on to Plan B, trading for another one of the west's star players. In response to their soon to be inner-city rivals being the ones to land Anthony, Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov made sure his team didn't come out empty handed at the trade deadline by acquiring Jazz star point guard Deron Williams.

Similar to the Nuggets who were afraid of losing Anthony to free agency and getting nothing in return, Jazz chief executive officer Greg Miller decided to deal his talented young point guard, despite his contract with the team not expiring until after the 2011-2012 season. For Prokhorov who promised Nets fans a world title within the next 5 years, the addition of Williams gives him and the New Jersey faithful the star player he tried so desperately to get in the offseason. After their near record setting 2009-2010 campaign that saw the Nets finish the season with a dismal 12-70 record, becoming only the fifth team in NBA history to record 70 losses in a single season, the Russian play boy was unable to convince any of the marquee names free agency had to offer to play for his franchise.

Also similar to the blockbuster deal that sent Carmelo to the big apple, was the hefty price Prokhorov paid to land the 2-time All-Star. In exchange for D-Will, Utah received the third overall pick of last year's NBA Draft - Derrick Favors, PG Devin Harris, 1st round picks in both the 2011 and 2012 Drafts along with $3 Million cash. With a talented tandem of Williams added to compliment New Jersey's standout center Brooke Lopez, the Nets have two integral parts needed to form a dominant team for many years to come, assuming Williams re-signs with the team once his contract is up after next season. And for New Jersey's sake, I hope they can convince him to stick around while the team relocates to Brooklyn in 2012, considering the crop of young talent their Russian owner dealt for the guy.

Williams however, made it clear upon his arrival to the Nets that he's not making any guarantees that he'll re-sign when he becomes a free agent. If I'm Mikhail Prokhorov, I'm making sure I'm doing everything possible to satisfy Williams and assure him that the Nets future ahead is very bright. But until then, I'm pulling my hair out and praying to the basketball gods that he decides to re-sign early just to avoid the stress similar to that of the Carmelo situation. As for the Jazz, a team that's made the playoffs for four consecutive years, the organization appears to now be in a rebuilding stage after now losing their two biggest pieces (Williams and Boozer) along with their Hall of Fame coach Jerry Sloan who resigned last month. Was the deal equally as good for Utah, or will it just add to the trend of star players flocking east to form these super teams, granted Williams decides to sign elsewhere come 2012.

The End Of An Era In Utah

Just when you thought the Jeff Fisher-less Tennessee Titans were gonna take some getting used to after being let go by the team he spent 16 seasons with, long time Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan resigns after 23 years with the franchise. Ironically, Sloan's resignation comes only three days after signing a 1-year extension that would've kept him with the organization for a record 24th season. In a live press conference addressing his decision to resign, Sloan appeared to look very tired, saying "My time is up and it's time for me to move on." Though he didn't mention it himself, reports have it that All-Star PG Deron Williams played a key role in Sloan withdrawing from his position.

After Utah's 91-86 loss at home to the Chicago Bulls, that saw the Jazz fall three straight games at home for the first time since 2007, Sloan and his talented young point-guard got into a heated debate in what many are saying was the cause for the 68 year old coach stepping down. Williams however, denied the blowups between the two had any influence on Sloan's decision and said he wouldn't be where he is now if it wasn't for Sloan. The complete turnaround in the relationship between the two comes as a surprise given the future Hall of Fame coach once said he trusted Williams with his offense more than he did John Stockton who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009, headlining the class of inductees along with Michael Jordan.

Sloan, the longest tenured head coach in NBA history, leaves behind a legacy of 1,127 career wins, ranking him third all-time only behind Lenny Wilkens and Don Nelson. After coaching three seasons with Chicago whom he once played for, Sloan made back-to-back NBA Finals appearances with the Jazz, but came up short on both occasions, losing to the Michael Jordan led Bulls that went onto win six world titles in 8 an eight year span. If it wasn't for Phil Jackson who migrated out west to coach the Lakers after coaching the Bulls to success, there's no telling how many rings Sloan would have right now. Instead he joins the long list of great players and coaches that were unable to win a ring.

The most astonishing stat during Sloan's time at the helm of the Jazz, is the other 196 coaching changes that were made since his hiring. Joining Sloan in departing from the franchise, is assistant Phil Johnson who also resigned after a lengthy time spent with the franchise (18 years). Succeeding Sloan as the Jazz head coach, is Tyrone Corbin who has been with the team since 2004, serving as an assistant coach, and also has roots with the team as a small forward from 1991-1994. With the post Jerry Sloan era now in effect, the future of Deron Williams becomes a concern considering he'll be a free agent this coming offseason. And with the franchise revolving around him as their best player, you've gotta wonder if this will have any effect on a potential return to Utah.