- (Sports Network) - The Utah Jazz are the epitome of continuity. Jerry Sloan returns for his 21st season at the helm of the Jazz and will welcome back a roster that looks suspiciously like last year's club that won 54 games and lost to the LA Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals.

All-Star forward Carlos Boozer and point guard Deron Williams give the Jazz two franchise players. Boozer led the club in scoring (21.1 ppg) and rebounds (10.4 rpg). while Williams played in all 82 regular-season games and averaged 18.8 points and a team-high 10.5 assists.

Andrei Kirilenko, Kyle Korver and Mehmet Okur make up a solid supporting cast for the Jazz, who are coming off their second straight Northwest Division crown.

Okur posted 14.5 points and 7.7 rebounds in 72 contests, while Kirilenko averaged 11.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists.

Korver, who was acquired from Philadelphia in a trade during the season, helped the Jazz improve mightily from the perimeter and is a hard-nosed player.

The hope is that continuity will help the Jazz take the next step.

2007-08 Results: 54-28, lost to LA Lakers in Western Conference semifinals.

ADDITIONS: Brevin Knight (G) - Trade with LA Clippers.

SUBTRACTIONS: Jason Hart (G) - Traded to LA Clippers.

RE-SIGNINGS: C.J. Miles (G).

2008 DRAFT PICKS: 1. (23) Kosta Koufos (C, Ohio State); 2. (44) Ante Tomic (C); 2. (53) Tadija Dragicevic (F).

PROJECTED STARTING FIVE:

PG- Deron Williams SG- Ronnie Brewer SF- Andrei Kirilenko PF- Carlos Boozer C- Mehmet Okur

KEY RESERVES: Brevin Knight (G); Kyle Korver (F); Matt Harpring (F); Paul Millsap (F); CJ Miles (F); Jarron Collins (C)

FRONTCOURT: Boozer had his best season as a pro last year and things only figure to get better in 2008-09 since the forward can opt out of his contract next summer. He has great movement skills, can finish around the basket and run the floor. In fact, Williams and Boozer are quickly becoming the reincarnation of John Stockton and Karl Malone in Salt Lake City.

A couple of seasons ago Kirilenko moved to small forward full-time and was lambasted for losing a step. In reality, the Russian star was pulled away from the rim more and forced to check far more athletic wing players. Kirilenko is still capable of stuffing a stat sheet like few others.

Okur is a typical European big men. He's not the toughest player in the world but can step outside and give opposing defenses fits by draining jumpers all the way out to the three point line.

BACKCOURT: Williams is probably the best point guard in the NBA not named Chris Paul. The Illinois product takes like a duck to water in Sloan's pick- and-roll heavy offense. He's incredibly strong, knows where his teammates are at all times and can knock down the jumper when you need it. Williams also runs the break like few others but did suffer a second degree left ankle inversion sprain in the preseason that will hobble him for a few weeks.

Ronnie Brewer doesn't give you enough offense from the two spot but with Williams, Boozer and Okur around, it's not needed. Brewer is expected to provide hard-nosed defense and hit an open jump shot when it presents itself.

BENCH: Korver is a brilliant shooter that offers little else. When he heats up look out but if his shot is not falling, the former Creighton star will hurt you badly on the defensive end.

Brevin Knight is a veteran brought in to spell Williams for 10 minutes a night. A nice ball handler, Knight isn't capable of taking over a game but he will run Sloan's offense rather steadily.

Matt Harpring is a tough as nails type player that gives his all at both ends of the floor but is out indefinitely after undergoing what was thought to be routine surgery to remove bone spurs over the summer. The swingman suffered an infection that forced him to be hospitalized for four days and treated with intravenous antibiotics for a month.

Paul Millsap offers the ability to bang down low and is a solid rebounder that has turned into a decent shooter.

C.J. Miles was likely a little surprised when the Jazz matched a four-year, $14.8 million offer sheet he signed with Oklahoma City since he averaged just 10 minutes a game last season. Now, there is talk Sloan will start Miles, who needs to concentrate at the defensive end, in order to give the second team a bigger offensive punch with Kirilenko.

Veteran Jarron Collins will likely get most of the backup center minutes over rookie Kosta Koufos. Collins isn't much of an offensive threat but he sets teeth-chattering picks and gives an honest effort defensively.

OUTLOOK: The Jazz are a solid team that must find a way to win on the road to take the next step. Over the last two seasons, only Dallas Mavericks (70-12) has a better home record than the Jazz who are a gaudy 68-14 at EnergySolutions Arena.

Away from Salt Lake City, the Jazz are just 37-45. As Williams continues to mature you have to expect that number to improve but it looks as if Utah might need another year before its ready to compete with the LA Lakers, San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Hornets for Western Conference supremacy.

Problem is, the team has seven players who could become free agents after the season, including Boozer, Okur and Korver, all of whom can opt out of their contracts.



















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