Jazz Blood Runs Navy and Blue

Mark down February 23, 2009. Because it was on that night, last night, that for the first time all season long, the Jazz were at full strength. Well, no. Even that isn't true. We are still mourning the loss of our owner, Larry Miller. But, life goes on and that's something Larry would have reminded us. So, last night, at full strength, the Utah Jazz hit the floor and reminded the Atlanta Hawks why it is that we had the best home record in the league last year. Even with the limited minutes Carlos Boozer played, it was clear that when he was on the floor, he spread the floor, opening up other people to play their best. His presence on the bench is one of support and love for his teammates, a team that has faced more this year than most teams would ever want to deal with. Injuries and illness struck eleven of the fifteen men on the roster. We didn't just lose starters, we lost bench players. Pressure mounted, as did the losses. The Northwest Division champions last year, the Utah Jazz found themselves in clear third place behind flashy (and irritating) Denver. Road losses included some of the worst teams in the league - Golden State and Oklahoma. And then, just when it looked like everything was coming back together again, Larry Miller passed away. So even now, with every player back in uniform, the Jazz face the road ahead without their biggest cheerleader.

Jazz players have bruises that are navy and blue.

Last night was the runaway it should have been. A team that is able to beat Los Angeles, Boston, and New Orleans should have no trouble with the Atlanta Hawks, a team that showed up with little passion and who all but gave up by the end of the third quarter. A flagrant foul issued to Josh Smith following his knocking of Matt Harpring to the ground had 19,000 fans on their feet as we waited to see what would happen. And, it had Matt having to be restrained by at least four players and Coach Sloan. A blow to the head like that was concussion worthy. I get the feeling that we'll find out today if something bad did happen. But Matt KEPT PLAYING, scoring the majority of his points after the foul.

Jazz players bleed navy and blue.

Last night, then, marks the beginning of the season for the Utah Jazz. Finally at full strength, finally healthy, and playing for the honor of a beloved man and owner, they take the last five games (all wins) on the road and fight through the rest of the year. After last night, fans talk about taking it all. Not loosing another game this season. Finishing right behind the Lakers in the conference. It isn't going to happen. The Jazz will finish sixth in the conference, possibly even fifth. They'll move past Portland and finish half a game, or a game, behind Denver. They might even make it to the Conference Finals if they keep playing the way they are and they learn how to win in cities like LA and San Antonio.

The fans had hoped this year would be the year. No one realized, I think, just how much of a powerhouse Los Angeles would be. Say what you want about Kobe, he has taken a leadership role on that team and is playing the best basketball of his career. Pau Gassol may have the look of a serial killer in his eyes, but he's tough out there on the court and nearly as impossible to guard as Kobe. And, there are no words for Derrick Fisher's leadership. One of the best point guards in the league. In the East, Boston and Cleveland remain threats. Boston has a title to defend and Cleveland has a LOT to prove - not only to themselves but to the rest of the world. The Cavs are more than LeBron, but can Mo Williams and the rest of the team step up and make the point they want to make?

The Jazz are that candidate in the election who picked up momentum too late. Without the injuries, they were as serious a threat as any of the top teams. It isn't anyone's fault that Deron turned his ankle or Jaron hurt his elbow or Kyle has been struggling with his wrist or that Matt's off-season surgery led to infections that took a long time to come back from. It isn't anyone's fault that Carlos landed funny on his leg and his rehab took longer than expected. Injuries happen and this year, the Jazz seemed to have every door slammed shut right before they stepped through it. Even the training team had injuries! Really. They've got an advantage right now - pride. They're dangerous because, like Cleveland they now have something to prove. But the year that was to be ours probably isn't going to be. We will rally, we will fight, and we will look to next year, and hope, and pray, and fight ... and bleed navy and blue.