I've been saying for years and years that, one day, Stockton and Malone were going to retire or leave the Jazz, and that that would mark the point when the Utah Jazz would begin to suck for the next 20 years. Let's face it, we all know they put all their eggs into the Stockton-to-Malone basket far longer than they should have, and let's also face it, they had a good run. But what about us? Rockets fans have loved to hate the Jazz more than anyone else in the world for years, and with good cause. The rivalry runs deep, with no less than 4 major playoff showdowns in the mid-90's. Do you hate Andre Kirilenko? Does Matt Harpring fuel your rage? Does the idea of Andre Miller skiing in Park City make you shake your fist angrily? Hakeem hung up his sneakers a long time ago. Clyde is probably eating barbeque as we speak. It just seems I was looking forward to the suckiness of the Jazz for a long, long time, and now that it's here, it's just not the same. Am I the only one?
There's still Jerry Sloan, I suppose. Though he always had a certain charm about him... In a mean, bitter, grandfatherly sort of way... I like AK47. Harpring looks a bit goofy, but I can't really blame him for our player's stupidity of not fouling him (maybe Karl was holding Steve back)... It doesn't feel right, but I actually hope they don't crash and burn TOO bad... 20-62 seems reasonable. Less than 15 wins would just seem wrong...
I was just thinking that to myself recently too. What I thought was a rivalry between the two cities, has dissapeared. I wondered, do we have a deep rooted rival that is ALWAYS our rival? Before the championship, our hated rival was the Seattle Supersonics... now I dont care about them... Then it was the Suns, and then we lost interest in them because they were replaced by Utah, but now that Utah sucks, Phoenix is once again our rivals. But its not because of any rivalry between the two cities but because they just happen to be in our way at the moment. So I was wondering. Do we have a REAL rival? and who would it be? It would have to be someone in the Western Conference but I dont know who... my best guess is Phoenix, but they could just be temporary.
i think our rivalry with the lakers will get big, i remember that game that we went into overtime with them and we won, that was one of the best games all year
The first year we had Barkley, we should have beat the Jazz in the Western Conference Finals. We were robbed by the officials. I still think we could have beaten the Bulls that year. The next year they just kicked our butts. Since then we haven't really competed on that level. We've played the Lakers tight quite a bit through their championship years, but with us not competing for a championship, I don't think you can call that a rivalry. Back on Utah, how are they going to keep anybody there or attract any quality free agents? No question they are done. Any great rivalry for us will have to develope over the next few years. Maybe the Suns, we will have to see what happens with Amare. It would seem that we would be rivals with the other Texas teams, but I have no bad feelings personally towards the Spurs, because they are such gentlemen, much as we were in our championship years. I can't feel it towards Dallas, because I have not ever honestly taken them seriously.
Sloan's the third entity in the Unholy Trinity, every bit as contemptible as Stockton and Malone. He was among the dirtiest players of his era, and he teaches his players to flop/cheap shot accordingly. The final head of the Hydra must be removed before the hate can cease. Forgive the metaphors, but only weighty spiritual and mythological references hold a gravitas applicable to the Rocket fan's hatred of the Jazz.
You know what would have been poetic, ironic, and incredibly satisfying? Rudy staying on one more year, the Jazz finally sucking, Jerry Sloan leaving in disgust, and then becoming head coach of the Rockets. I've considered Jerry Sloan the best coach in the league for 2-3 years now. He may play dirty, but he's smart and his teams always overachieve.
Darkhorse, Andre Miller won't be skiing in Park City. Personally I can't believe that Sloan renewed his contract. He either loves coaching or wanted to get a check before the mood soured (reminds me of the Jazz guy that always trys to sell me tickets for bank... hello, you guys suck now. Years ago when I actually bought tickets, it was just to cheer other teams). Darkhorse, I know it will be hard for you. When we first met, you were wearing that Stockton for 3 t-shirt. Do you remember? Anyway, it'll be cool to watch the Jazz be the dregs of the leagues for a few decades. Honestly, GSW has sucked for forever... and they're in a real city. Utah is screwed.
Yet another blow to the Jazz fans ego.... how could anyone be excited about their team? I think you must have me mixed up with someone else. slcgriff maybe? I've always hated the Jazz and I guess in some way I always will. I've certainly never owned any Jazz paraphernalia of any kind. I was just commenting on how it seems kind of odd to kick them while they're so obviously down right now, especially when the hate is largely directed at those who are no longer with the organization. But I guess since Sloan is still calling the shots for now, all hope isn't lost. There's still plenty of animosity to go around.
Ya know...I always had an *intense dislike* for the Unholy Trinity...but the members of that trinity to me where.. Flopton Horny-cek and Karla It never really occured to me to include Sloan into the hate.. naw...I think the word that i feel for the Spazzes this year should be... pity. you hate your rivals, someone who threatens your(or your team's) position in the pack.. and I dont believe Utah will fit that definition for quite a few years. Doesnt hurt my feelings at all.
Does anyone remember in the 95 Championship Video when we were facing the Jazz and Hornaceck (or however the hell you spell it) drained the three and the commentator goes, "Horny for three! Oh! Horny!!" LMAO
Stockton beating us with a 3 in the playoffs caused me alot of pain so I will never forget! I hate the Jazz! I would not feel sorry for that team if they never won another game again!
I like Andre Kirilenko. I wish that we can have him as a rocket. The Jazz proably will not trade him, though.
I remember Harpring pulled a 3 pointer buzzer beater to beat us in a crucial late season game last season.. so i hate him.. and steve and andre hate each others guts so i hate miller too.. and jerry sloan looks like a witch.. i dont like him.. through the years.. and all the other scrubs.. its about time we takeover!
I will always hate the Jazz. It's not just Flopton and Karla Malone. Neither of those players were controlling the game clock when they "accidentally" forgot to start it at the end of a friggin' playoff game! The fact is that the franchise as a whole has shown that they are not above cheating to win, and that should be enough to earn them contempt to decades to come. Most hated teams, in order: 1. Jazz 2. Lakers 3. Sonics 4. Suns 5. Celtics Call me a grumpy old man, , but all of these teams I hate, not because of the present, but because of the past.
hear hear. i've always hated that punk marbury. even before he tripped yao ming in that game. ******* that was painful to watch.
By the way, lest there be any mistake... Achebe was right. Andre Miller is a Nugget now, not a Jazz. (a Jazz?... that sounds ridiculous)
Thanks MrsDarkhorse. Nice to meet you by the way. ps, tell your hubby I was joking about the Stockton for 3 t-shirt. I was trying to get him in trouble here on the board.
