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SALT LAKE CITY -- The last few weeks for the Utah Jazz have arguably brought about more significant changes than those the franchise endured over the 22+ year tenure of former head coach and Hall of Famer Jerry Sloan.
And now, as the dust from the blow to the coaching staff is only beginning to make its way toward the floor, the Jazz are faced with the challenges of changing point guards and losing their team's leader in the latter part of the season.
The blockbuster trade that sent Deron Williams to the New Jersey Nets a mere 13 days after the shocking and immediate resignation of Sloan and long-time assistant Phil Johnson on Feb. 13 landed 7th-year pro Devin Harris and rookie Derrick Favors on Utah's roster. Harris was originally selected by Washington as the No. 5 overall draft pick in 2004, was traded to Dallas and has spent that last three years with the Nets. Favors was the No. 3 overall pick in 2010 and is experiencing an accelerated rookie year being let go of by New Jersey as part of the Williams-acquiring trade.
I understand their situation...I'm happy that me and Devin (Harris) had a chance to be apart of it.
–Derrick Favors
"I was mentally drained from it — just hearing my name in trade rumors all season," Favors told the Deseret News Feb. 25. "I'm relieved, and I'm with a team that hopefully I'll be here for a while so my name won't be thrown around in trade rumors."
Harris and Favors immediately improved ranks by joining the Jazz who carried a 31-27 record prior to losing to the Mavericks in their first game without two-time All-Star point guard Williams. Leaving behind a 17-40 New Jersey record and washing out the bitter taste of certainity for not making the 2011 playoffs, the two saw time off the bench and helped the Jazz start their redefined season with a 95-84 win over the Pacers Friday night in Indiana.
Harris led reserves with 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists as he backed up Earl Watson, and was followed by Favors who tallied six points, three rebounds and a blocked shot.
"I understand their situation. They lost their coach and traded their best player off their team...I knew they just wanted to come in and try to prove people wrong and just come out and win. I'm happy that me and Devin had a chance to be apart of it," Favors said in an interview with the Deseret News following Utah's win in Indiana.
The victory over the Pacers also marked the first career win for head coach Tyrone Corbin who's newly-acquired title was announced in the same press conference in which Sloan and Johnson announced their resignation.
It's just been a while since I've been in a relevant situation, and I'm excited to be here.
–Devin Harris
As to be expected, however, the Jazz certainly have not seen the end of their struggles in a stretch bombarded with change. Their second of two back-to-back road games came with a 120-116 loss to the Detroit Pistons Saturday night.
Harris took the starting spot at point guard and posted 17 points and 12 assists as every starter tallied at least 14 points. Favors was the only reserve to reach double digits with 10 points and two rebounds.
With experience playing together, it's not surprising that Harris and Favors have intitally molded well and started their time with the Jazz on a solid note, but whether or not Utah's decision to trade their franchise point guard was the right move remains to be seen. The Jazz are still within reach of a playoff position, currently situated at No. 9 in the Western Conference with a 32-28 overall record with 22 games left in the regular season.
"Obviously, Deron was a great franchise player for this team, and it's some big shoes to fill...but I'm just looking forward to the opportunity of going out there and playing for a playoff team," Harris said. "It's just been a while since I've been in a relevant situation, and I'm excited to be here."
E-mail: lfrome@ksl.com
