by Dana Greene

Remember last month, when most Jazz fans were wondering who they would match up with better in the Western Conference Finals, the Mavericks or the Suns? Remember when Carlos Boozer was the shoe-in for MVP? Remember when Deron Williams was the second coming of John Stockton? Ah yes, memories. How quickly they fade.

Now it seems everybody is gripping right now, wondering if the Jazz will even make the playoffs. Yes, they've lost foru in a row, but let's not panic too much. The Jazz will make the playoffs, and will probably win their division. However, let's not start planning NBA Championship Series celebrations. The Jazz will finally end their 3-year post-season drought, but the way the team stands right now, they will be extremely fortunate to advance past the first round.

If the season ended today, the Jazz would be the 4-seed and have homecourt advantage against the Houston Rockets. Yikes. Let's assume Yao Ming is healthy by then. Yikes again. Judging by the way the Jazz guard star players, Tracy McGrady would probably go for 50 a game, while Yao would pull down something like 25 boards a contest. I'm predicting the Rockets in 6. Now, if the Jazz end up playing the Lakers, then Kobe goes for 75 a game and L.A. wins in 5.

This team has looked brilliant in spurts, but they just aren't built for the playoffs. They don't have the interior defense or go-to scorer every successful playoff team needs. Balance is great in the regular season, but you need a star in the post-season. Is Boozer that star? Sure, in the first half. What about Okur? Can we really count on him to hit buzzer beaters every night? And what can we honestly expect from a 2nd year point guard in his first taste of the NBA Playoffs? I just don't expect much.

But it's not too late. The Jazz need to make a move. Get Maggette. Get Artest. Get somebody that can take this team to the next level. The need somebody who can defend and score from perimeter. Look, the Jazz are a good team, a very good team in fact. But unless they change their ways and their personnel, they're looking an early playoff exit.