Confessions Of A Former Utah Jazz Fan...

 Times have changed.

Back in the day, looking at that screenshot would have caused me a bout of mild depression. Such in the life of a Utah Jazz fan, or any sports fan, actually. Yes, there are teams that win and win and win, but eventually, they stop winning--can't win them all, some people say. And when they don't win, it's a bummer.

I started to be a huge Jazz fan in the late 1980s, back when the team had the best point guard/power forward duo in NBA history. They were an easy team to root for, to enjoy watching, to love. Since then, the franchise has had good seasons, bad seasons, and last year, the league's best record.

I even worked for the organization for two years in the early 1990s.

Hello...I'm Scott Taylor and I'm a recovering Jazz fan.

Most Jazz fans believe that tonight's game was pivotal. Of course, in the playoffs, all games count more than normal, but having home-court advantage in Round 1, playing at home with three of the other team's best players not playing, all the Jazz had to do was win...they did not. I'm sure a majority of people leaving Vivint Arena tonight think the series is over. It's not, but it could be soon. Even though I no longer watch/keep up with/obsess over the team, I still feel bad for those that do.

Maybe they win the next three games and win four in the next series and then win and win and win and win and hold up that shiny trophy, but things are not looking good.

Being over a year Jazz-sober, I know I sleep better. I have time to do other things like read and write (or, just watch other TV shows...). And since I don't watch any NBA games, the months of April/May/June are unsurprisingly less stressful for me.

I don't know if I'll ever fall off the wagon and once again root for the yellow, green, and purple (or whatever colors they don nowadays...). In life, sometimes you have to give up stuff...like the Utah Jazz.

The Utah Jazz...Are In The Playoffs Again

Tonight the Utah Jazz clinched a playoff spot for the second year in a row. If you follow our local NBA team, making the playoffs back in the day was not just expected, but virtually guaranteed. 

Then the drought came. It was a long wait for last year's team to get in. And because of changes that happened to the team, many wondered if they'd return to the playoffs this year. I think many fans doubted it--especially back in January when they were not doing well.

That was then; this is now.

This team has been fun to watch. They've made me an engaged Utah Jazz fan. Of course, winning can do that for a lot of people. I realize, by getting involved in the games, I'm opening up my heart to potential heartbreak and emotional ruin. Still, I want to see how far this team goes--it could be far, very far.

The team is loaded with personalities, but one of the big reasons I've enjoyed watching their games so much is because of Donovan Mitchell. I borrowed the above photograph from social media. I also borrowed a video clip of a drive and an assist from the rookie. It took my breath away.

There's two games left in the regular season, then the playoffs. I'll be watching--or keeping track--by TV or computer or cellphone. I wish them well.

Got To Admit...I'm With Stu J On This One

Okay, I admit it--I've been taking note of the NBA playoffs. In the past several years, I've casually watched the scores, and even caught part of a game or two. But things are different this year. There's a new kid in town, and he is woefully misnamed for his environment.

He's the Utah Jazz.

I haven't really followed the Jazz religiously since the days of Stockton, Malone, Hornacek, and Coach Sloan. The reason why is simple.

They broke my heart.

Yes, I was all in back in the day (it's hard to believe those NBA finals years were twenty years ago...). And why not? The team was spectacular. They were a joy to watch, and we in the smallest NBA market got spoiled. We thought our mountain men were so good, they could be world champions, not once, but twice. 

Too bad it didn't work out. Seems there was a team of city men who were even better.

As Game 4 of the best of seven series between the Jazz of Utah and the Clippers of Los Angeles, tom relieve some of the tension of watching the game, I occasionally check the social networks to see what others are saying, and I found a simple tweet by someone using the handle Stu J to perfectly sum up how I feel when it comes to my relationship to the Utah Jazz.

"STOP IT JAZZ. STOP MAKING ME CARE AGAIN."

Getting emotionally attached to anything comes with a price, be it a partner, a pet, a favorite television show, and even a professional sports team. As this past basketball season progressed, the question for our local team would not be if they would make the playoffs, but would they get home court advantage. Not bad for a team shut out the past few years. I thought, "Good for them!" I considered making the playoff would translate to a successful year, even if they lose in the first round, or get swept.

Then, the Jazz go win Game 1.

And that changed everything.

Yes, even if they lose the series it will be a successful year, but this reminds me of a saying by Homer Simpson. He lamented, "Professional athletes, always wanting more." The same could be said for fans of those same athletes--we're always wanting more as well.

How will this conclude? What's the end game? It's simple--the team either wins a world championship, or they don't. If they do, the fan rejoice and all is right with the world. If they don't the true fans will hurt, but look forward to next year. Others will turn their back, vowing never to trust again. I wonder, when the season's over, what Stu J will do... 

Your Anniversary's In June...What's Wrong With That? Ah...Playoffs

The other day a co-worker and I were having a conversation. He's one of my sport's friends. That isn't to say he and I participate in sports, but it seems whenever we talk (which is a couple of times a month...), we inevitably discuss sports.

I used to be into sports--my wife would say I still am--but I don't think so, at least not the was I once was. Sports used to affected me and not always in a positive way. I made the conscience decision to reduce my sports intake. I know I'm much more at peace than I used to be.

So, my friend and I were talking. Somehow we got on the topic of marriages and weddings. I remembered a mutual friend of ours that was going to get married soon, so I asked him how he was doing and when was he going to get married. He said our friend was doing fine and the wedding was in June. 

Then my friend said something that I wasn't quite sure I heard correctly. 

He said, "Yeah, that's when I got married, but I kind of wish I had gotten married a little later in the month." I asked, why, and he said, "Because, had I waited a little bit, my anniversary wouldn't interfere with the NBA playoffs."

I was a little taken back. Our local pro team, the Utah Jazz hadn't made the playoffs in several years and the last time they did, they were swept in the first round. I asked what that meant since no local team was playing this year and he said that it kind of interfered with his anniversary, not in a major way, but the games sometimes did.

I guess removing myself from the world of sports has made me think about things differently. I would imagine the two could exist harmoniously together. Of course, my anniversary is in September, arguably the best time for sports. With college and NFL games in full swing, baseball pennant races going on, preseason NBA games and major league soccer matches--it's a sports junky nirvana. So, when we decided to get married in September, what was I thinking?

All photos used without permission from the NBA