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No Comments [ Add Comment ]Sloan opens up about injuries
By JIM BURTONJazz coach being realistic about situation
SALT LAKE CITY -- These days, even tough-guy coach Jerry Sloan has been victimized by his team's injury-go-round.
Physically, he seems fine. Mentally, he's seems as resilient as ever.
But the man who has largely refused to discuss injury issues and their impact on his team, did exactly that Wednesday night, following the Jazz's 93-89 loss to the Miami Heat.
"I'd be disappointed (about losing at home) if I had our team together," Sloan said. "But you've got to be realistic a little bit, and fair. I mean, I don't have my best team out there. Some of these guys haven't played a lot and they're trying to figure out what's going on."
With Carlos Boozer (quadriceps), Andrei Kirilenko (ankle), Matt Harpring (lower back), Jarron Collins (elbow tendinitis) and Kyrylo Fesenko (lower back) sitting out, Utah fell behind early in the third quarter Wednesday and never completely recovered.
Point guard Deron Williams (hip, ankle), Kyle Korver (wrist) and Paul Millsap (toe) played in the game.
The Jazz were so banged up afterward, Sloan scrapped practice on Thursday. They play host to the Toronto Raptors tonight in a nationally-televised game at EnergySolutions Arena.
"I can't do anything about the injuries," Sloan said. "But I know what's going on. The execution is never quite as good until you have your frontline players."
Although the team did not practice Thursday, officials issued an injury update for tonight's game.
Collins is out, Boozer is doubtful, Millsap is probable and Harpring, Kirilenko and Fesenko will be game-time decisions.
Williams and Korver are expected to play.
"We're not where we'd like to be," Sloan said. "But we could also be in a deeper hole than this considering the amount of injuries we have."
Utah's loss Wednesday came on the heels of a 99-94 victory over the Kings in Sacramento.
Tonight's game with Toronto is the first of another back-to-back set for the Jazz. They play Saturday at Phoenix.
Sloan said he is trying to be realistic about his team's injury situation, but is hesitant to use it as an excuse for poor play.
He said he doesn't think the schedule is an excuse either.
"I'm sorry if we had to play (Tuesday night)," he said. "But if you're not man enough to play two games in two days or four games in five days, you'd better get in a little better shape, hire two or three more (personal trainers to) work on your body."
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