The Joys of Jazz Fandom

Thanks to best friend of the blog Matt Thomas, USB had the opportunity to witness the heart breaking thriller that was the Jazz’s loss to the Hornets. Although the loss was devastating, we came away with a few observations and comments:

A)     Basketball is 10x more exciting in person, 100x more exciting on the 8^th row (thanks again Matt!), and 1000x more exciting when Hayward blocks Chris Paul on a break-a-way layup.

B)     You know that kid in high school that feels he is the best person on the court and because of this he feels entitled to get special treatment from the refs? That is Chris Paul. He complained at an above average rate, even for NBA players, who are notorious for arguing with the refs. He was borderline throwing temper tantrums every other play.

C)     Chris Paul is not the best person on the court. We’ve read a lot about how Paul has lost some of his speed since his injury, but it was ever so apparent last night. Now, we love Earl Watson, but he won’t be in any argument for best point guard in the league. Yet, Chris Paul couldn’t beat him off the dribble and on multiple occasions Watson blew past him to find an open man or lay it up himself.

D)    Paul Millsap is the best person on the court. His is now officially Nate’s favorite player. Matt said it best, “He gets no love.” It is so true, even at home where you would expect a few calls to go his way; he routinely got fouled with no call. He also was the only player on the court that when he put up a shot, you knew it was going in. You had no doubts. The only other player that came close was Al Jefferson and his turn around one handers from ten feet out. Millsap also made two circus shots. Were we surprised they went in? Of course not.

E)     The Basketball gods hate the Jazz. We’ll have to devote an entire column to this later, but there is no way that against any other team Okafor’s get his shot off in time, let alone makes it. What did we do to deserve getting our hearts wrenched out game after game, season after season!?

F)     Fans that leave before the end of the game deserved to be punished. Either ban them for a season or forever. I prefer the latter. There is no excuse to leave early. Sure we lost by four, but that game wasn’t over until the time was gone. People had left and we were still in it! Watson and Millsap missed a free throw each. Hayward missed a three. That’s five points! We could have just as easily won as we lost! There was no reason to leave! What message does that send to the players, quitting before it’s over!? They are the Carlos Boozer of Jazz fans. You should be ashamed.

G)    Don’t be like Red Sox fans. The only MLB game I have been to was between the Red Sox and the Padres. The Red Sox won and after the game they were chanting, “Yankees Suck!” Now don’t get me wrong, I completely agree, but what did that have to do with anything?! I lost all respect for their fans at that moment. Last night during an injury timeout it was quiet and someone yelled, “BYU sucks!” Seriously dude? We’re in an injury timeout in the NBA and you yell that? Hours after the game is over? He looked like a complete idiot. That was until someone replied, “Oh yeah? How far did Utah get?” Comments at games should only be directed at one of the two teams playing. The end.

We want to end with one more point. The future is looking bright for the Jazz. You know they are in a good position when Matt can ask a question like, “What are we going to do with two first round draft picks?” Matt also had a great point, give this team an offseason to get comfortable with each other and we will be back in the hunt for a championship.

Which we will somehow lose with Jordan-esque push off by Dwayne Wade/Derrick Rose/Paul Pierce.

Oh the joys of Jazz fandom.