The Jazz are playing their best basketball of the season. Yes, I am taking into account the first 13 games when they went 12-1, but there are a lot of similarities. Last night they showed it again, by just systematically taking apart the Bobcats. They are not playing from behind like they did to start the season. They have found the “killer instinct” that they really lacked.

I contend that when the Jazz are on top of their game, they are one of the two or three best teams to watch in all of basketball. Everyone contributes, they execute with exact precision, they are athletic and they play with grit and passion. Which basketball fan doesn’t like that?

At this point, I am not sure that the Jazz can’t beat anyone in seven game series.

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Kevin O’Conner deserves props. He has assembled a very nice team to plug into Sloan’s system. It was only about a year ago that Jazz fans booed him at the Karl Malone jersey retirement. I dare say if that would have taken place during this season, the GM would have received a standing “O.” Good for him.

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Speaking of O’Conner, at this point he has to feel pretty good about himself for staying the course and not making a deal for a veteran 2. I was strongly supporting on this site a move for Cory Maggette. It now looks like the by-committee approach can work. Especialy with Giricek shooting the ball so well.

And Giri is really playing well. The guy has a serious chip on his shoulder and I love it. Every time he is interviewed, he is asked about his improved defense. Without fail he counters that assumption and says that he has always played strong defense. That it has always been his nature. I agree with him…for the most part. I have noticed two things that I think have made the most drastic improvement in Giri’s game as of late.

1. He is playing more aggressively on the defensive side of the ball. I am not sure it is better defense per se, but it has been a more inyourface style. His defense lately has reminded me a lot of Raja Bell. He is up tight on his man and just harasses them. I think he has always tried to be a good position defender, just not a nasty, inyourface type.

Sloan has been unbelievably stubborn with Giri; to the point that I have thought that he was a bit unfair. However, his stubbornness appears to be paying dividends.

2. Giri is not dribbling to create his shot as much. The guy has a beautiful stroke, but he has always pumped and worked his way toward the basket for a pull-up jumper. The degree of difficulty on that move is very high and he misses far more than he makes. Not only that, but he turns the ball over and gets out of the offensive flow. On this current streak, he has become much more of a catch-and-shoot player. We have all seen the benefits. He is shooting at a very high percentage, and has taken his range out to the three point line.

If he continues this strong play, the Jazz have no ceiling.