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In the past few weeks Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan has sung a familiar tune.
" That's a cocktail for failure, right away."
" I came from a different era."
" We didn't have the energy we should have."
" I think you're supposed to compete."
" I can't worry about that, I can't worry about that. I'm tired of answering questions about that."
Sloan is tired of talking about it, but it's tough to ignore. Injuries kept the Jazz from getting off to a great start. The big four of Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko have combined to miss 26 games to injury.
" Those things I don't worry about. When you're out there on the floor and put the uniform on... that's what you get paid to do." said Sloan.
The injuries may be a blessing in disguise. C.J. Miles is averaging 11 points a game while shooting 48 percent. Ronnie Price has gained valuable experience at the point and Paul Millsap is averaging a double-double while starting for Carlos Boozer. When the Jazz get healthy they could be the deepest team in the league.
Jazz guard C.J. Miles knows that December is going to be a crucial stretch for his team, "because we don't have the cushion that we had last year."
Now the Jazz face a month that features nine road games including their pre-Christmas road trip. Last year a 5-11 December cost them home court advantage. They can't afford that to happen again.
