Zero to hero, just like that

"Don't KOC the KOC if you cannot walk the walk. Phony GMs are outlined in chalk." These were the infamous words that launched the newest era of the Jazziest saga. Last summer, many were angered by the apparent inability or the lack of will of the Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor to make a serious trade for a legitimate NBA player. Boozer was despised and deemed worthless. O'Connor felt that this was the best team that Utah could put out on the floor. After the season began and the Jazz started winning games against teams such as Portland, Cleveland, and Orlando, fans felt differently. By the trade deadline, many were frantically refreshing ESPN pages with the hope that "Boozer traded to..." did not appear in the title. Finally, as the short-handed Jazz crushed the life out of an injured Nuggets squad, both Boozer and O'Connor looked great.

The Lakers came next, followed by summer. Each burned and blistered; Williams gave a press conference and in his normal stoic fashion, bemoaned the organization for not providing him with a real championship team. Summer saw the departure of both Carlos and Kyle to Chicago. It appeared that Boozer would leave without the Jazz even signing him to a deal first and receiving something in return via a trade. Next season suddenly became a question of whether or not this team could make the playoffs, let alone do anything once in the post-season. Compounded with a seemingly ridiculous draft pick, some even called for O'Connor's head.

Out of darkness came light, and KOC showed Utah fans and the rest of the NBA how and why he walks the aforementioned walk. This is a man who cannot draft well (Kris Humphries was drafted over Al Jefferson a few years ago.) Furthermore, he appears content to stay the course with a medium team instead of risking highly probable wins for a championship. These criticisms are fair and are earned. What he excels at, however, is making something out of nothing. Panic was palpable among Jazz fans, when suddenly here was Al Jefferson, the talented young Center from the Minnesota Timberwolves.

O'Connor had singed Boozer and had gained a trade exemption from the Bulls. He had magically turned this into landing Jefferson while having to send nothing back to Minnesota. This move certainly deserves deep praise and gratitude. It may not (and almost certainly will not) lead to a championship. Jefferson cannot play defense. But neither could Boozer, and this move essentially operates as a trade between the two players. As John Hollinger writes today, this trade is probably a good deal. Thus, Kevin was able to ride the horse that is Boozer for one more year and provide the Jazz with a much-needed first round victory in the playoffs. He was then able to turn what was quickly becoming a nasty situation into what very possibly could be a better Jazz team next season. Once again, KOC, our hats are off to you. Your outline remains immaculately chalk-free.