1. If the playoffs were to start today, the Utah Jazz wouldn't make it. Currently, the Jazz are in ninth place in the Western Conference. Is it really conceivable that this team may not make the playoffs?

• Warner: I can't see that happening, not unless Deron Williams is lost for the season with an injury. Sure the Jazz are in ninth place (only eight teams qualify), but none of the teams below them are a threat and I still think they can pass Portland or Phoenix or Dallas.

• Franchuk: Carlos Boozer's extended absence aside, it'll be hard for Utah not to make the playoffs. The Jazz consistently win at home and have enough depth to at least be a top-8 team. The unfortunate circumstance is this should have been the year when they challenged for a No. 1 seed. That would've made Williams and Co. a virtual lock for the NBA Finals.

2. Carlos Boozer is set for surgery next week and is expected to miss about a month. Any chance the Jazz get him back before the All-Star break on Feb. 15?

• Warner: I would be more shocked if college football fans, coaches and college presidents revolted, do what is right, and insist Utah is named the national champion. But I'd say the chances of getting Boozer back before the break are highly unlikely.

• Franchuk: Again, who knows what to make of Boozer? How much of these lingering issues are attitude, and how much is bad luck? I think Utah takes its time with bringing him back, hoping that he'll be in position to help in April and May.

3. DirecTV has dropped KJZZ from its broadcast, costing DirecTV subscribers 16 future Jazz games. Is there anything Jazz fans can do to get KJZZ back on air?

• Warner: Complain. As a DirecTV subscriber, you have to let DirecTV know you want KJZZ back. These things happen from time to time. Remember the controversy about The Mtn.? The best thing you can do is complain and threaten to switch to Dish or Comcast, who both carry KJZZ.

• Franchuk: I'm a DirecTV subscriber, which is always confusing. I never really know what stations I have. And even the ones I have can be tough to find. I must admit, though, the rate is hard to pass up. It's consistent and non-rising, unlike other services I've had. I've got to send an e-mail into the corporation to let it know I'm upset about losing KJZZ. Hey, I finally got The Mtn., so maybe I do have some pull.

4. Are you surprised Dwight Howard leads the NBA in All-Star votes?

• Warner: Yes. As of the weekend, he had over 1,700 votes, far ahead of LeBron James at 1,521, a difference 272 votes. I think Howard is the most exciting and most talented big man in the NBA, but I didn't think he was more popular than James, Kevin Garnett (who led the voting last year), Kobe Bryant or Dwayne Wade.

• Franchuk: Surprised yes, disappointed no. This kid is a force, and is the type of player that should be hyped like Garnett has been over the years. The only thing that bums me out about these superstars we've mentioned: None of them went to college. So it gives too many high school kids the idea that they can skip it. That's bad for the college game, of course, but also the individual.

5. Speaking of All-Star voting, what player is getting more votes than he should?

• Warner: New Jersey's Yi Jianlian is third in Eastern Conference forwards with nearly a million votes. He's ahead of Chris Bosh and Paul Pierce. He has more votes than teammate Chris Carter. He has more votes than Steve Nash, Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki and Amare Stoudemire. I know he has a following in China, but please.

• Franchuk: Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady should not be ahead of Chris Paul for Western Conference guards. Yet both have a significant lead. Paul should be the top vote-getter in either conference. He is the game's most exciting player and his team would be the No. 2 seed if the playoffs started Sunday. He has the game to appeal to young kids and the personality to also attract older fans (he recently appeared on a quirky National Public Radio show called "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me.") He'll make the All-Star game in some fashion, but not being the top player voted on says something bad about NBA fans.