It's weird, but I really dont have the same passionate angst against the Jazz that I once did. Maybe its the fact that the key players I hated so much have long since retired/left, or maybe its because its been so long since we've both been relevant in a meaningful fashion. I'm not sure. And although I couldnt imagine myself saying this a few seasons ago, I think I can now say that I appreciate Utah Jazz basketball. Since 1983, they've only had one season below .500 and have only missed the playoffs 3 times. They're almost always relevant, and where other teams spend multiple seasons rebuilding, they've found a formula that's permitted them to remain competitive in perhaps the most difficult city to attract free agents to in America. Last year Rick Barnes contacted every NBA teams scouts, coaches, and GMs and found them universally in agreement that the Jazz have the most difficult offense to cover. (Link) There's something to be said for that, and something to be said for them signing guys like Jefferson, a signing that made no headlines, but a solid signing and reasonable replacement for Boozer. Part of me feels that without Sloan, there's a strong possibility this team experiences a Clippers-esque stretch of losing seasons, high draft picks, and then watching those draft picks depart once their contracts permit. Then again, I've felt that way about them for a while, so maybe they'll prove me wrong. In any case, yeah, I give 'em props.
I suppose. Of course, this was a mega-implosion, from the Boozer walkout, to Williams driving Sloan to quit, to the Jazz throwing Williams out. 5-11 since the beginning of Feb, plummeting out of the playoffs like a stone (squeaking out close wins against the Raptors and Kings to stop the bleeding) They'll be reloading with a lot of picks, but their wings are abysmal. And Derrick Favors needs to start showing something.
You sure about that. I know a number of Jazz fans who despise the Rockets. Granted they are older and from the Hakeem vs Malone/Stockton days, but Only really the Lakers, Spurs, & Bulls were above the Rockets.
there has been no rivarly since both teams cant compete.. Rivaliries are only fun when you are both competing for the championship.
To be fair...I never really gave a damn about the Jazz in a "rivalry" type of way. Sonics were my worry. Never the Jazz...they even beat us a couple times and I still didn't care. lol
Once Kirilenko and Memo leave there really won't be all that much to hate on that team. Still wish we would have snatched up Big Al for the bag of chips Minny was asking for him though.
Al Jefferson is the Summer Glau of basketball. Every team he goes to turns to complete **** even though he himself is a damn good player (much like how Summer Glau is a damn good actress, but every show she ever goes on gets the axe). It's a curse, I tells ya.
yeah, I agree...I'm finding less and less reason to make an effort to hate Utah anymore. I guess they still have Kirilenko and Okur, but the rest of their players I really have no history of negative feelings towards...heck, I even like some of them.
Let them laugh. No credit should go to them. Then again I have always disliked Utah for the style of play and flopping more than anything... suddenly Malone, Fisher, Giricek, Harpring, Boozer are gone, only to be replaced by actually likable players. All that's left to hate is Kirilenko and Okur. And GlenRice what's up with you going all anti-hate justice mode recently? You complain that people dislike the Heat, Lakers, and Jazz? You aren't a big fan of competition are you?
I don't care about Utah anymore, they are not good enough or bad enough for me to really give a shet. Now that DWill is gone, they are just another team I ignore.
Yeah and none of those teams fan even consider Utah a rival. They consider Utah another team to toss aside. Laker fans and you can check this by going to their forums before we play them next have a dislike more for the Rockets than the Jazz any way. To people that say Utah doesn't consider Houston a rival...please...there aren't many places you hear "Houston Sucks!" chants in the entire NBA. Of course now both teams aren't that good so the rivalry has died down, but these two teams are destined to meet in the playoffs
have you guys ever even met any Utah Jazz fans? They're insufferable and arrogant, even though their team hasn't won a damn thing. They're like Mavs fans, if Mavs fans were a bunch of mormon weirdos.
