But in the NBA where unpredictability is a trademark, no team isn’t a contender. And lo and behold, the Jazz is now setting the pace with a 6-1 mark. Utah is on top of the Northwest Division, the Western Conference and the entire NBA at the moment.
So far, the Jazz has upended Houston, Phoenix, Golden State, Detroit, Boston and Milwaukee with two of the wins on the road. Its only loss was to the Nets at New Jersey. Utah will be tested by the Los Angeles Clippers (5-1) in an early duel of division leaders this morning (Manila time).
The Clippers and San Antonio are the only other teams with a single setback in their records. No longer the laughing stock in pro sports, the Clippers opened the season on a sour note, dropping a 112-104 decision to Phoenix on the road. But since the defeat, L. A. has won five in a row. What makes the Clippers tougher than ever is a balance of talent at every position with Sam Cassell, Cuttino Mobley, Quinton Ross and Shaun Livingston in the backcourt and Chris Kaman, Tim Thomas, Elton Brand and Corey Maggette up front.
The Spurs continue to lord it over the Southwest Division with a 5-1 slate even as the jury is far from reaching a verdict on San Antonio’s competence because two of the wins were at lowly New York’s expense and one was over Toronto. The positive sign was the Spurs’ 97-91 conquest of Dallas on the road.
Teams showing unexpected progress are the Cleveland Cavaliers (5-2), Houston Rockets (5-2), Orlando Magic (5-3), Portland Trail Blazers (4-3) and Atlanta Hawks (4-2). Of those five overachieving teams, only the Cavs made it to the playoffs last season.
The underachievers are Dallas (2-4), Phoenix (2-5), Denver (2-3), Detroit (3-4), Memphis (1-5), Charlotte (1-5) and Boston (1-6).
Carlos Boozer has been the man of the hour for Utah. He’s getting the job done with help from Memo Okur, Andrei Kirilenko, Deron Williams, Matt Harpring, Gordan Giricek and newly-acquired Derek Fisher.
"If we stay healthy, we are a dangerous team," said Williams, a sophomore guard. "Anything less than the playoffs will be a disappointment."
Slam Magazine’s Lang Whitaker said Sloan’s work ethic is rubbing off on the Jazz.
"I love Jerry because he is what he is and that’s all that he is," said Whitaker. "You want to play for Jerry? Play hard. That’s all he asks and if getting benched hurts your feelings, tough luck. Which explains why this Jazz team is primed for a big season. Kirilenko and Boozer are both healthy, finally, and Williams should have the offense mastered. Rookie Ronnie Brewer can play throughout the backcourt and frontcourt, giving Sloan the flexibility he lacked last year."
Brewer, however, has been a cold factor. Utah’s other rookies Dee Brown and Paul Millsap are hardly contributing, too. Luckily, Fisher is fitting comfortably in Sloan’s scheme of things as a sixth man and is one of five Jazz players averaging in twin digits in scoring. The scary thing is Kirilenko isn’t even averaging 10 points a game.
While Utah should be able to advance to the playoffs, the Jazz won’t go far. There are too many formidable squads to knock off in the West and the Jazz, in the end, will realize Malone and Stockton aren’t easy to replace.
Nike Philippines country marketing head Melissa Crucillo and marketing services manager Tony Atayde will be at ringside for the fight.
No Fear Philippines owner Tommy Ong will also be at the Thomas and Mack Center. Nike has made available in the market an exclusive Pacquiao "Just Do It" T-shirt in red-and-white, showing the fighter with both arms raised, for P795. The shirt is selling like hotcakes in Nike stores and is available on e-bay for $21.99, excluding shipping charges. Nike also rolled out a print ad and a giant EDSA billboard starring Pacquiao last weekend.
Ong said Pacquiao has a live contract with No Fear for apparel until next year.
"Manny assured us his contract with Nike is strictly for footwear," said Ong. "That’s why in training for Morales, he continues to wear No Fear shirts and shorts. Even when he’s walking around, Manny wears No Fear gear. We respect Nike for its commitment to sportsmanship and fair play. We’re not privy to Manny’s contract with Nike. All we know is No Fear has the exclusive apparel contract with Manny."