I can’t believe the Jazz are in the Western Conference Finals. It is surreal. I remember the first time they made it this far with Stockton and Malone. It seemed like it took years to accomplish and that the team had to overcome huge hurdles, both physically and psychologically. This team on the other hand, just went straight there. Amazing.

That being said, San Antonio represents all of the aforementioned hurdles for this Jazz team. They have dominated the Jazz for the better part of ten years. If the ten year match-up history between these two is any indication, the Jazz are in for a rude awakening.

Unlike many in the national media, I don’t think this series is doomed to a foregone conclusion. The Spurs have shown some chinks in the armor vs. the Jazz, and this series is a great opportunity for the Jazz to break through. And I think they will.

Their are key differences between this Jazz team and most other up-and-coming squads. I see five reasons why the Jazz will win this series.

1. Jery Sloan
He has this team playing tough, playoff basketball and will match the Spurs blow for blow.

2. Deron Williams
I know he laid an egg in game 5 against the Warriors, and some will point to that as evidence that he is not quite ready for the big spot. But I have said since the beginning of the year that Deron Williams is special. Most now agree that he is great, but I still maintain that he is going to be one of the top five players in this league. He has it.

In fact, I think his performance in game five will propel him to excellence in game 1. He is a big time player, and big time players show up in big time situations.

3. Man for man the Jazz match up extremely well against the Spurs

PG: Deron Williams vs. Tony Parker – Edge Jazz
Edge: Jazz

SG: Derek Fisher vs. Michael Finley – Even
Edge: Even

SF: AK-47 vs. Bruce Bowen – Edge Jazz
Edge: Jazz

PF: Boozer vs. Duncan
Edge: Spurs

C: Memo vs. Oberto – Edge Jazz
Edge: Jazz

6th: Harpring vs. Ginobili
Edge: Spurs

Bench: Giri, Millsap and Collins vs. Francisco Elson, Jacque Vaughn and Brent Barry
Edge: Jazz

4. Rest
The Jazz can not afford to turn the ball over 25 times a game against the Spurs and expect to have any chance of winning. Fortunately for the Jazz, they have had time to heal their wounds and more importantly, practice. The Jazz run a precision offense and they need practice in order to correct mistakes and get in sync. Winning game 5 and closing out the series against the Warriors early was huge in this respect.

On the flip side, the Spurs are working on a 36 hour turnaround after completing a difficult six game series against the Suns.

The Jazz have a great opportunity to steal one in San Antonio.

5. Mental Toughness
For some reason, this Jazz team has grown up fast and acquired a great deal of mental toughness. In this playoffs alone, they have accomplished the following:

Won their first playoff series
Overcame a two game deficit to win a series
Switched playing styles between two series and won both series’
Won a game seven on the road
Bounced back to win on the road after a 20 point blowout loss
and are 2-0 in closeout games

All of this is incredibly difficult to do. People don’t realize that teams don’t just do that, especially during their first trip to the playoffs. And that is why you can throw out all of the past 10 years history of play vs. the Spurs. The Jazz are ready to beat the Spurs. This team, against all reason, against all odds, is ready to go to the finals.

Jazz in six.

That is why

—
Now that the series is over, I must take a moment and give serious props to the Golden State Warriors. Most notably their fans.

First, I want to give them props for a truly exciting run in the playoffs. What they were able to do to Dallas is truly amazing. To beat a 67 win team in the playoffs is no short order, and they did it with style and swagger – they actually expected to win. It was impressive. They should hold their heads high knowing that they lost to a very good Jazz team that was just not a good match-up for them.

Secondly, their organization is on track. Chris Mullin has made a few questionable moves, but the last few have been stellar, namely hiring Don Nelson and trading for Al Harrington and Stephen Jackson. They have created a force and the will be feared for years to come. They are one of the few teams that has the pieces to get Kevin Garnett and with their style they will be able to attract top free agents.

And Last, the fans. They are unquestionably among the very best in the NBA. Before the trendy, high-class