It isn't. My thinking is that he came into this season with a too-big a head after leading the relative success of Puerto Rico in the Olympics. Sloan gave him a chance, Arroyo played hungry behind Stockton and others, slowly earning playing time by playing the Sloan way. Watching him this year, he seems disinterested and it showd on the court in the boxscore. Perhaps Arroyo is unhappy that Kirilenko and Boozer are the focus and not him? With Jerry Sloan, you play hard and within his framework and you're quite likely to play. So what happened between last year and this one? Stuart
I've actually been of the opinion the Sloan's disciplined system may beholding Arroyo back. Not all Sloan players have left the system to only become worse, though most have so you have to keep that in consideration. But there are players out there in the league, like a Steve Francis as a prime example, that do better when the reigns are loosened.
Without knowing just how bad Sura's knee is, I think we're just going to have to leave this decision to the only ones who have a handle on the injury: the Rockets. If they know Sura's not going to last the season and they want to have a chance in the playoffs, I wouldn't be shocked if they try to make a move for Arroyo or even *shudder* Snow. Since Utah apparently wants Arroyo gone and the Rockets are one of only a handful of teams that really need point guard help at this point in the season, they might be able to get something done in a deal for the draft pick or maybe even Mo. Dare we dream of ditching Mo?! I'm not sold on Arroyo being a great fit for this team, but he IS a point guard. If we really are going to need one, he'd fit the bill about as well as anyone who's available mid-season, I guess.
Desert Morning News: Jazz dismiss Arroyo trade rumors Jazz dismiss Arroyo trade rumors By Tim Buckley Deseret Morning News The Jazz denied Wednesday they are talking seriously about trading point guard Carlos Arroyo, the former starter who remains buried deep on coach Jerry Sloan's bench — and who still is quite unhappy with his lack of playing time. "We've had no substantive conversations with anybody about trading Carlos Arroyo," said Kevin O'Connor, senior vice president of basketball operations for the 13-24 Jazz. "Have I talked to a lot of people about a lot of things? Yeah," O'Connor added. "And names have come up. Carlos' name's come up. Everybody's name comes up on our roster. When you lose, that happens. And you look to improve yourself." O'Connor, however, bristled at an Internet report that earlier this week falsely suggested Arroyo had already been traded. "It's not fair to Carlos," he said. "It's not fair to us." A report in Wednesday's Detroit Free Press said the Jazz recently spoke with the Detroit Pistons regarding a potential trade involving Arroyo, but that very same report suggested such a swap is unlikely. According to the Free Press: "A rumor saying that the Pistons are interested in Utah point guard Carlos Arroyo may be true, but the sides would likely be unable to work out a trade. The two sides talked a week to 10 days ago, but Arroyo signed a four-year contract worth a reported $16 million last July, and there aren't a lot of players on the Pistons' roster that the Jazz covet other than starters." Asked if he had engaged in substantive conversations with the Pistons regarding Arroyo, O'Connor's response was curt: "Nothing." Nonetheless, Arroyo, now in his third season with the Jazz, is frustrated. He was the Jazz's starter at the point last season, but sprained an ankle in Utah's final preseason game and missed the start of the 2004-05 regular season. Arroyo was given his starting job back when he returned, but since then he's lost it to Keith McLeod. At times recently, Arroyo has even been the Jazz's No. 4 point, playing sparingly behind McLeod, Howard Eisley and Raul Lopez. He did not play at all in Wednesday's win over Phoenix, and logged two minutes in Monday's win over San Antonio. Arroyo had a brief sideline flare-up with Jazz coach Jerry Sloan earlier this season, but after a few days the two publicly made amends. Wednesday, though, Arroyo suggested matters remain unresolved. Reiterating comments he has made, the point guard, according to an English-version transcript of a conference call with reporters in his native Puerto Rico, suggested he and Sloan no longer communicate well. "Communication is non-existent now," Arroyo said, according to the transcript provided by the NBA and the Jazz. "We don't have the same communication we used to." Clearly, Arroyo wants to play more. "Last year I demonstrated my ability to do the job, and that's why I was brought to this team," he said. "Unfortunately, it's been a lot different than what I expected, and that's something I'm dealing with every day. "They've shown no interest in me, and I'm not playing. . . . That's why this year is hard for me. Trying to understand the situation, trying to fit into the structure, staying happy and playing my game, which revolves around having a good time on the court ... none of this has happened. "I'm praying to God, and hoping every day that this will improve. The solution would be for me to get more playing time. I just don't know how that can happen. Unfortunately, he (Sloan) has been making a lot of changes to try to win some games." The Puerto Rican national-team point feels he deserves to play, too. "People have seen how I've improved every year, and I know that if I'm on the bench with a coach that thinks I'm good as a third backup I won't progress," he said. "I want to improve as a player. I want to help the team, and from the bench I'm not doing that. "It's not fair that they bring me here for four years, and that after several games they keep me on the bench. ... I understand that he (Sloan) has been a bit unfair with me, and then he refrains from informing me of anything, which makes the situation more sour. "I've obviously not had a good start this season, but I'm trying to stay positive like I always have, and want to thank everyone who has supported me and understands that I should be playing, and has always been with me in the good and bad. From what I hear, all of Puerto Rico is following this season and ... it's unfortunate that I'm not playing for all those people watching the games. This has been like a dark cloud over me, but my thing is to always remain positive and do my best when I'm put in a game." Jazz owner Larry H. Miller, meanwhile, admits he is somewhat frustrated, but remains in Arroyo's corner. "I like Carlos personally a lot. I have ever since he came here," Miller said. "Carlos had a lot of pressure on him when he came back (from his ankle sprain), because the team had been playing very well without him. And he came back, and right about that time the team started losing. "Everybody was looking for answers. The players were, the fans were, the media was, the coaches were. He was one of the players who got questioned about his intensity, his commitment and so on. I think that put a lot of pressure on him, and then, when we really went into a losing streak ... I think that put enormous pressure on Carlos that he never had to deal with before. "What we have to see now is how he can deal with it, and to do that he's got to get the chance to get in games," Miller added. "And Raul (Lopez) is playing better. And I like Keith McLeod. . . . And Eisley has been doing well. So that puts Carlos in a tough spot. But I like him, and I think it's fair to say, from my standpoint, as well as talking to the coaches, that we haven't given up on Carlos." http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,600104469,00.html
Here's the ESPN Insider on Arroyo: WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Carlos Arroyo Jazz Pistons Jan. 13 - Olympic hero Arroyo's fans in Puerto Rico are upset that he has fallen to the third or fourth point guard in Jerry Sloan's rotation. Arroyo's not happy, either, but he is pleased that he has drawn interest from other teams, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. "I want to play, and I can't succeed on the bench," said Arroyo, who played two minutes against the Spurs on Jan. 10 and did not play at all against the Suns on Jan. 12. "If I can't play here, what can I do?" Arroyo, who signed a four-year, $16 million contract with the Jazz last summer, wants to remain with the Jazz. But the Tribune reports several teams have contacted the Jazz regarding Arroyo. According to the Detroit Free Press, the Pistons and Jazz were talking about a deal for Arroyo. There is little likelihood of a trade, though, because the Jazz don't want what the Pistons are offering. Arroyo reportedly has been in Sloan's doghouse during this injury-riddled and disappointing Jazz season.
Let me personally assure you that it's getting worse. If your knee is swelling, it's not because of a bruise. NBA injury reports are full of half-lies and understatements, and 80% NBA players are constantly destroying their bodies for the good of the team. The only reason Sura is not on the IL is because we're out of point guards. Chances are very very good that he's going to have surgery by June if not February. My personal thought is he has loose particles and roughened cartilage from banging his knee last month. I'm just hoping this isn't a sign of no more cartilage and that it won't lead to microfracture surgery. If that's the case, he's done. Evan
We should wait until after the season unless we can land a legit point guard whom will be part of the core of this team. Arroyo looked great in the Olympics but I trust Sloans judgement. That team is ina severe tailspin and if he felt that Arroyo could help them win games then he would be playing right now. It's not exactly like he's stuck behind a superstar or anything, he's simply not earning his time on the court. We already have a talented but lazy and unmotivated power forward, we don't need a pg like that.
so who are they playing now at point? I love Arroyo's game...Despite our 1-game winning streak and improved play of late, I would still trade any combo of players outside of Yao and Tmac for him...
I think they are playing Howard Eisley and Kirk Snyder (rookie from Nevada). Arroyo didn't play at all last night
Did you read the article? They're starting Keith McLeod and Raul Lopez and Howard Eisley are getting most of the back up minutes.
I mentioned this in another thread, but what about Rafer Alston? I think he would be a nice fit here and Toronto could look to move him since they are in a definite rebuilding mode. Maybe a MoT + Barret + TE + 1st for Alston + Marshall + A. Williams (PF). That gives us lots of depth and versatility at all positions. I would really like a Swift or Chandler to walk through the door, but I think it is HIGHLY unlikely this season. That's why I think we need a long SF that can rebound well from that position, can shoot and move over and play PF in certain matchups. Marshall fits that. We get Alston's long contract, but we rid ourselves of Taylor's bloated contract and Williams' & Marshall's contracts end this year and next. Alston/Sura Wesley/Barry TMac/Marshall Howard/Marshall Yao/Deke or move TMac back to SG and start Marchall at SF. Just a thought.
We do not need anymore point guards.....we need to keep that first pick and get a decent one, or another power foward.
What do we have that the Jazz would even want??? No way they take Mo. Only thing they might be interested in is a 1st round pick and i dont know if Arroyo is worth that. Lets just see what happens with Sura.
A few more DNP-CDs and a sour face may lead Utah to do an addition by subtraction - just let him go for nothing (TE and a couple of 2nd rounders). $4 mill of freed up cash and a couple of non-guaranteed contract prospects for a disgruntled bench rider might sound good to them.
