Jazz Need to Do Their Own Thing Now

There comes a time in everyone's life where you have to move out of your parent's house and go out on their own.

For me personally, it meant going to college and moving across the country to pursue professional endeavors. I needed to get out on my own and succeed and/or fail by my own accord and this is what current Utah Jazz head coach Tyrone Corbin must seize his independence as well from the Jerry Sloan era of Utah Jazz basketball.

Hiring Karl Malone and today's news of Sloan onto the coaching staff as a senior basketball adviser just perpetuates that need to cling onto the past.

RT @GregInUtah: I am pleased and honored to have Jerry Sloan back in the Jazz family in an official capacity.
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) June 19, 2013

One of the toughest things to do in sports is to follow a legend and it must be especially difficult under the circumstances that Corbin found himself in after Sloan's abrupt departure midway through the 2010-11 season amid the controversy with the Deron Williams trade.

I understand the significance, value and downright necessity of honoring and embracing the tradition of a successful organization. It is great to build statues, give them court-side seat or name facilities after great players from the past, but having them around and involved in the day-to-day operation of the current team could prove to be a distraction.

Think about your own job. Would you like it if the predecessor at your job, who was really good and was loved by everyone, just came back and started observing and nit-picking at your every move? Maybe even pointing out your shortcomings or offering unprompted 'This is is how I would have done it ..." suggestions.

Malone, John Stockton and Sloan built Jazz basketball into what it is today, but that was about 15 years ago and now is the time is now for the current Jazz squad to create its own legacy.

Ever since Sloan resigned in 2010-11, the Jazz have struggled to choose between the old and new with their product on the floor, too. A spirited debate has swirled around the Wasatch Front over the last two seasons about whether the Jazz should go for playoff appearances with a veteran roster filled with players like Al Jefferson, Raja Bell, Marvin Williams, etc., or should they sacrifice some short-term success and think long-term and turn the reigns of the franchise over to the youth movement with players like Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, etc.

To me, the youth movement is the way to go. Why be happy with an eighth seed in the Western Conference? The only way the young guys that they drafted based on potential can turn that potential into production is to play every night and take their lumps on the floor.

The Jazz cannot have it both ways and it is time for them to pick one plan and go with it. So what's it gonna be? We'll have to stay tuned.

- Mike