Trail Blazers and Jazz the best of a division in flux

Utah and coach Jerry Sloan historically haven't faced serious fatigue or injury issues with their international participants, dating back to the iron days of Stockton and Malone. It shouldn't be an issue this season, either, with a stocked roster capable of spotting the Olympic trio some early-season minutes.

What went wrong:

Andrei Kirilenko didn't get a lot of touches this summer.

And he might not get a lot this fall, either. Lack of touches became an issue for him and the Jazz last time around. The Russian forward had a disappointing national team experience, from his squad's 1-5 record in Beijing to his 39 percent FG shooting and long stretches out of the offense. Because he is Utah's third- or fourth-best player but is being paid like its first- or second-best ($49.3 million over the next three years), the versatile but somewhat less valuable Kirilenko will remain a trade candidate, especially with Boozer and Okur as re-signing priorities.

C.J. Miles we be paid $14.8 million over the next four seasons for, what exactly?

The Jazz matched the offer sheet Miles signed with Oklahoma City, but that keeps them crowded at the wing position where Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer got most of the time last season. Utah has Morris Almond, too, as a top prospect and has to sift among Kirilenko, Boozer, Matt Harpring, and Paul Millsap at the forward spots.

Grade: B+

Too much available talent isn't a common problem in the league. Coach Sloan doesn't tolerate fussin' and poutin', and that helps nip problems in the bud. No reason these guys shouldn't build on last year's 54 victories, though winning 37 at home again won't be easy.

What went right:

Carmelo Anthony seems to get it. This time. Finally.