I was pretty excited when the Jazz beat the Rockets in game 7, but after bouncing the Warriors in 5, I am geeked up and even shocked. The way the Jazz ended the year, losing 12/18 who would have thought they would come together in the playoffs, that the ever fragile Kirilenko would rise up and return to old form? Certainly not me, it was about a month ago that Larry Miller said that the team 'sucks' and that they did. No one would make that claim now after they extinguished the hot warriors after winning a game 7 on the road. I have no idea how long it took Stockton and Malone to get to the Western Conference Finals, but it certainly wasn't the two years it took D Williams or the three it took Boozer and Okur. This team has great balance and heart and it starts with one of the greatest acquisitions of all time:
Derek Fisher.
It is still hard to imagine that the Warriors traded Fisher for McLeod and I forget who else, it doesn't really matter. The Jazz got rid of absolute garbage in McLeod, one of my least favorite players ever(btw how he played in front of Williams last year is one of the most ridiculous things Sloan has ever done)for one of the most clutch and high character guys ever. I know the ever thing is kind of an eyebrow raiser, but think about it, the Spurs shot, the year he went nuts in the Playoffs with the Lakers, game 2 of the Warriors series, games 4&5 of the Warriors series. For not being a star he does it all. He plays smart, hard, and hits the clutch shots. He saved the Jazz both fourth quarters of games 4&5. He hit shot after shot right when the Jazz needed him to. Call it a knack or opportunity or luck or just clutch. I am one of those guys that believe that you can create your own luck or opportunity or whatever you want to call it. When I worked at Benchmark, Clay used to always say that you always take a guy with character cause that's who you can count on when the going gets tough. I have to agree. Covili added that he thought Fisher could or might be running for office, hey if he ran in this state he would win. I have to admit he is everything I like about sports. He's kinda like the pro I wish I was. Of course every kid envisions themself being Jordan, but being Fish; the class, the hard work, the determination, the leardership, the respect, the hard nosed just plain competitive-never-back-down-in-your-grill-never-give-up-attitude. Yeah, that's not so bad, in fact its pretty inspiring.
My thoughts on the series:
So when is AK going to say he either:A)slept with more than one woman and his wife found out B)was kidnapped by aliens and finally escaped, C)had an undisclosed injury or D) had his feelings hurt. How can a guy who's whole game is based on energy play 82(83)games and not even resemble his former all-star self and then return to form as if those 82 games didn't happen? It is mind boggling, but certainly good to have him back. I still say trade him in the offseason get guy like Ray Allen. Here are my reasons; he will mope around next year and get hurt, his contract is terrible, we need a 2 guard, how else can we keep Millsap(who is better offensively, better rebounder, can block shots) and tell Millsap he is the future when he is behind Okur, Boozer, and AK. I just know how bad this last season was, AK's value is back; let's make a deal.
Baron Davis really is the SuperFreak, a top five player when he cares and is not hurt, I mean who would you rather have?
If Matt Barnes leaves GSW for any team other than PHX he will make money but sit on the bench
Unlike most Jazz fans I have no problem with the JRich foul on Okur, I can see myself doing the same thing. It wasn't cheap it was just hard.
Don Nelson looks like a drinking buddy of Boris Yelstin, in fact every time he talks I keep waiting to hear a deep Russian accent coated with years of alcohol.
Millsap needs more time.
Giricek looked like he had never played.
I will be happy not to see that gimmicky pressure D with 5 wiry, athletic guards.
Harpring is one of my all-time favs. Does anyone make the impact he does every time he goes in? He does all the things no one wants to do.
I will be happy to see DWill not get his second foul in the first minute of the first quarter.
Jerry Sloan has done a great job with this team.
Derek Fisher is the man.
Carlos Boozer is a beast. Not to dis Karl, but he has come to play every night and hasn't wilted with the pressure.
Okur needs to play great for the Jazz to win the next round.
This has been a fun year and one of my favorite playoff runs.
Go Jazz !!!!
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