Insider Special: Best/Worst ~ Jazz

[Weez]

By Chad Ford

ESPN.com

Editor's note: Here's a glimpse of the good -- and the bad -- that could happen to the 2003-04 Utah Jazz.

It's time for Andrei Kirilenko to show off his offensive skills in Utah.

Best Case Scenario

Three things need to happen for the Jazz to win 34 games and be respectable in the West this year.

1. Andrei Kirilenko becomes a star. Kirilenko does just about everything well. He's a great athlete, rebounder, shot blocker and defender. But until he gets that jump shot to fall, he'll struggle to become The Man with the Jazz. He averaged over 20 points per game at the European Championships, but unless he can sink a few jumpers, he won't be able to take over games.

2. Keon Clark realizes his potential. Clark is an excellent athlete who is a proven rebounder and shot blocker. But can he score in the paint? During one 10-game stint with the Raptors two seasons ago, he played big minutes and put up big numbers. Can he do it consistently in Utah? If he does, it will really free things up for Kirilenko and Matt Harpring.

3. Raul Lopez stays healthy. Lopez is the best point guard on the roster, but he's coming off two ACL surgeries. Once the rust comes off his game, he has the quickness and basketball smarts to be a starter in the league. But no one is confident he'll hold up.

Worst Case Scenario

The Jazz will be looking at 18 victories and the potential No. 1 pick in the draft next summer if the following three things happen.

1. Harpring wilts under pressure. Harpring put up great numbers in Utah last season, but he'll be the first to admit that having guys like Karl Malone and John Stockton on the floor made it easy. Now that he's the focal point of the offense, points won't come easy. Can he step up his game? If he doesn't, the Jazz are in big, big trouble.

2. DeShawn Stevenson regresses. Stevenson has impressed everyone in training camp. But this isn't the first time we've heard that Stevenson was on the verge of a breakout year. If he gets another ticket to Jerry Sloan's doghouse, it may be one way.

3. Sloan decides to retire. Sloan said he's taking this season day-to-day. If he ever decides that coaching this team isn't fun anymore, he'll hang up his whistle and drive his John Deere for a living. Sloan is still the best thing the Jazz have going for them. He'll insist that they play hard every night. Without him, all bets are off.

Chad Ford covers the NBA for ESPN.com's ESPN Insider.