There is just nothing better than unadulterated, uncensored Karl Malone. (Interview/show was conducted at Karl’s used car outlet and broadcast on 1280 The Zone.)

Think it was Basketball John that once said transcribing Karl interviews would break Word. This was transcribed true to Karl so if you are reading this to learn mainstream English and/or you are an online spelling Nazi in your free time, don’t.

** The show was periodically interrupted by Karl stopping to sign autographs (H/T @SuperHooper801), reading texts out from his kids, giving shoutouts to his family, and taking off his shoes because it was too hot.
** Karl did refer to himself in the third person a few times and every time he quoted Jerry Sloan he did it in a “Jerry voice.”
** The awesomeness that was Karl starting to swear and catching himself, and then eventually giving up and saying whatever he wanted.
** Love that he continues to refer to the Jazz using “our” and “we.”
** He clearly watches a lot of Jazz games as he’s really familiar with current Jazz players and their strengths and weaknesses.

On David Stern
I just love him. He’s my favorite. My nose growin. But anyway…

Future in Coaching
I think Coach Sloan will coach again in the NBA. / [Would you be an assistant coach?] Absolutely…I would love to, with Coach Sloan.

Utah and How Black People Don’t “Snow-Ski”
It’s nothing you could say or do to me in life, no one or nothing, can keep me from being in Utah and coming to Utah and eventually one day moving back to Utah to some capacity. No doubt…I come to Utah a couple of times a month…We vacation here. Matter of fact, we be back in a week and a half to, black people don’t snow-ski, so I won’t be snow-skiing. We’ll be snowmobiling and all that.

Once the Delta Center, Always the Delta Center
[What do you think when you walk into EnergySolutions Arena and see--] Delta Center. All due respect to those guys, the radiation company, whatever, it’s Delta Center to me.

Can Utah Attract and Keep Superstars? And, Jimmer
The issue is keeping [star players]. Think about it. Every time they turn the TV on, they’re broadcasting South Beach and LA. They doing all that, and all their friends are telling them that. No, [Utah] won’t get a [free agent] superstar…

Now, is there [a future star] in college that’s not on the radar now that could say, “I love outdoor, I love hunting and fishing, I love the Utah community,” could be a Mormon?…Jimmer Fredette, are you kidding me? I’m a fan. But anyway, a kid like that? I know he probably went early, but how do you not try to get a kid like that?…

What I think they said was, “He don’t play defense.” I know you want to play defense, but hell if I shoot like that, you play defense. [So will you go to the Kings game tomorrow and clap for Jimmer?] No. It’s the jersey. He got the wrong damn jersey on. I’m saying I like him, but absolutely no. No, I’m not clapping for him.

The Luxury of Time is not a Luxury the Jazz Have
You don’t have the luxury to draft projects at the third, fourth, fifth, first, second pick…But you don’t have the time, or who do you have? No disrespect to staff currently in place. Who do you have that can work with that big guy? No disrespect to the coaching staff, ’cause I love Scott Layden. Love ‘em all. But when you draft a kid like that, in essence your franchise is hinging on this.

You don’t have the luxury for that. Am I making sense? [Did they contact you and ask you...] Oh no, no. We done been there. You can’t beat the fart out of a dead mule. Let’s pass on that. They ain’t gonna call. That ain’t cursin either…

And I’m just being honest, don’t let it surprise you if they jump ship, really and truly, because every guy that come here, yeah he’s glad to be in the NBA and they’re gonna say all the right thing. They glad the Jazz draft him, they love the fact that the Jazz–but they got a agent back there telling you how great you are and you getting screwed in Utah and nobody know who you are in Utah and all of that. You buyin into it, buyin into it, now you become a free agent. That’s what I’m sayin. You don’t have the time to develop [projects].

Relationship with John Stockton
We had the most unbelievable function connection on the court. We didn’t even think about it. That started from the Olympic tryouts when he got cut by Bobby Knight and I got cut by Bobby Knight. Personally, Nada and Stock is the godparent to our daughter Kadee and we’re the godparent, me and my wife, to Samuel, their last son. Our friendship and family connections is from now til the end. But we have differences. I’m an outdoorsman to the core, to the heart. I carry a knife all the time. That’s just part of me. Stock is more into wildlife saving, if there’s such a word. I’m more into the wildlife management part of it, but it take both. …

Stock would fish. He love fishing, by the way. People don’t know that. We had one of the most unbelievable function trips ever when we went to see him and we went fishin. Trust me, Stock know how to do it right. So we went fishin and had a great time. I have to say the rest, ’cause he’ll rub it in. [in Stock voice] “And you say you’re this big-time fisherman.” He out-fished me that day. The fishin and huntin god would punish me if I don’t tell the truth, but he did outfish me that day.

John and Karl go fishing together. I am just big blob of warm fuzzy right now.

Training and Conditioning
I didn’t want to leave anything to chance that I wasn’t conditioned and trained enough. I didn’t train for 48 minutes. I trained my body and my mind and myself for a game and a half just in case it went into overtime. [Also, when his family went on vacation his wife had to call ahead to make sure wherever they were going, he could adjust the temperature up in the gym.]

To this day, I’m still somewhat consumed with workin out. I refuse to show up at an event, I refuse to go to a All-Star Game or something, and somebody say, “Wow, look at his–”

Karl Never Wanted To Go To L.A. (*not that that ever happened*)
I was in Arkansas, and I said whatever team win, I’m going to the opposite. And I wanted the Spurs to lose, so I could go to them. But the [Spurs] won, but I had made up my mind ’cause I didn’t want people sittin there sayin, “Oh he went there [because] they won it last year.” I wanted to go help ‘em.

Dick Bavetta and the Howard Eisley 3
We’re playing in Spokane, Washington against the Seattle Supersonics [during the '98-'99 preseason]. Stockton and myself as captains, Gary Payton as a captain. Dick Bavetta was in the center talking to Stock and I…Gary Payton left.

[Bavetta] said, “Karl, stop. Come here a second.” He said, “Guys, I have had the worst summer I’ve had in my life that I [waved off Howard Eisley's 3-pointer in Game 6 of the '98 NBA Finals] in that game.” He said, “My summer have been shit, uh, hell.” Imma tell you that happened, and it came from Dick Bavetta. Now, if somebody say it didn’t happen, they lyin and they bullshittin. That’s real. But, but, well, I said it already. Shit.

Isiah Thomas
[Isiah Thomas said he needed 40 stitches and he might've gone blind after this.] Well, first of all, he’s lyin about being blinded. Probably what he drank or smoked the night before.

Height
I’m actually 6’8″.

What? What? What? 6’8″???? The foundations of my childhood are crumbling. “The Mailman. 6’9″, 265.” That was written all over my Trapper Keeper.

Jerry Sloan
** He didn’t leave on his own terms. He left classy, a lot classier than probably I woulda I’m sure.

** John Stockton refused to call one play. You talking about a team player. So you got a John Stockton, never broke a play. Never came over to Coach Sloan and said, “Look, this gonna work.” Now, me and John would tell him this and he would look at us like, [in Jerry voice] “Who the coach?” “You, coach.” [in Jerry voice] “Run it now.” And it work. [in Jerry voice] “See, I told you.”

The Build-Up Leading to Jerry’s Resignation
A point guard by the name of Allen Iverson used to be in Philadelphia. And whenever he didn’t want to do something, he would call the GM…I know for a fact, knowing Coach Sloan, when we getting our butt kicked, we practice. I know for a fact that he was overridden on practices sometime on the road ’cause Deron was calling our GM [at] that time…

And that defining moment when [management and ownership] shoulda stood up for Jerry Sloan, they chose Deron Williams. And Coach Sloan, being the coach I know and love, said “You know what? We should part ways.” And he said what he said. And once Coach Sloan say something, it’s history…It was a build-up. You guys gotta understand, [there was] a history. It’s a build-up.

On Deron Williams
Deron did great things in the community. I know that. That’s what I want to [say] first. One of the most talented guards that worked to make himself a great All-Star. Worked on his shooting, couldn’t shoot a jump shot, all of that. Have the ability to make every player on his team better…

You give a guy that much power, and he’s the kind of player you think he played hard all the time, but if he wanted to sulk he could sulk. A point guard can do whatever they want to ’cause they got the ball all the time…it was the perfect storm going on there. It really was. He’s talented, [active] in the community, we don’t want to lose him.

What you have to be very careful of, Larry and I had a very unique situation, but not one time I use that call. I took my butt to practice, I did what I’s supposed to do, when I was wrong I said it. Didn’t want to all the time but I did. But I never would, well I couldn’t go past Larry anyway, but I never went to Larry to talk about Coach Sloan. Was our practices sometime tired as he–heck and all of that and didn’t want to practice and thought some bad things about Coach Sloan when I was out there practicing hard? Yes. And did he stare at me and I stare at him? Yes. But it’s not one time in my gut and heart that I would go over his head.

Assessment of Ownership and Management
Well, now it’s good because you got guys that’s playing for a coach. The handling of that whole [Jerry/Deron] situation there, I have to give you a D or D- if there’s such a thing…On the whole handling of that, I would have to give you a D or F. And I would lean more toward a F but I give you a D- because I love the Jazz. Now, they wish we weren’t talking about it. But that’s something that’s been in my craw, been in yours, and a lot of other people that we’re talking about it.

In Case There’s Any Doubt…
Everything I said during this interview, I approve this message…I don’t want nobody calling me and saying, “Did he really mean that?” Yes I did.

I love Karl. So, so, so, so, so much.

Instead of a recap I’m just going to post a bunch of UDQMs that I happened to see and Jazz fans were kind enough to send my way over the past ten days. Back to your regularly scheduled programming next game.

Human Pinball Machine Moment, by request of @SurlyMae:

Lastly, @saltcityhoops got to the bottom of KanterBackpackGate:

Hayward looks like he hit puberty since the last time I saw him play.
by jveezy on Jan 28, 2012 6:16 PM PST

are they booing jimmer? if so, HOW DARE THEY!?!?!
by X_47 on Jan 28, 2012 6:20 PM PST

Hedo Turkoglu
Must be having nightmares over the dead fish Salmons disgracing his jersey number from the old days.
by HarveySpecter on Jan 28, 2012 6:20 PM PST

I dont like Harris.
He’s a little girl rat that flops
by Letsgokings13 on Jan 28, 2012 6:21 PM PST

Cousins looks 10 pounds thinner in black
by Slam_Dunk on Jan 28, 2012 6:22 PM PST

Stupid fish (<–John Salmons)
by SPTSJUNKIE on Jan 28, 2012 6:26 PM PST

Man, I did not realize Kanter was that big
that kid has some shoulders
by MichaelMack on Jan 28, 2012 6:34 PM PST

Trade Jimmer for Favors
by Jimmered. on Jan 28, 2012 6:39 PM PST

Have to change ur name to Favored
by ElRonToro on Jan 28, 2012 6:41 PM PST

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Damn fish
by Slam_Dunk on Jan 28, 2012 6:50 PM PST

and hayward fries the fish
by Letsgokings13 on Jan 28, 2012 6:55 PM PST

Salmons is so bad. How does Hayward run right by you?
by Portland’s Cowboy fan on Jan 28, 2012 6:55 PM PST

Gordon eating fish
by kman949 on Jan 28, 2012 6:55 PM PST

Lol the announcer pronouced it salmons the fish
by Czar Nickoli on Jan 28, 2012 6:56 PM PST

Finally salmons is out..now if we could just stop hayward that lucky fucker from scoring open 3s, we might not get blown our by the 3rd quarter.
by CousinsEvansDUO on Jan 28, 2012 6:57 PM PST

Fuck you Jazz announcers
Fuck you and your shitty team.
by iashwash on Jan 28, 2012 7:27 PM PST

May the pubes of Sloan rest on your upper lips, you announcing cocks.
by iashwash on Jan 28, 2012 7:32 PM PST

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Bench needs some pts
by Pdidd on Jan 28, 2012 7:41 PM PST

Who’s Bench??
Did we just sign him??
by StevenG on Jan 28, 2012 7:42 PM PST

Earl Watson > Kings.
by VenomySnicket on Jan 28, 2012 7:43 PM PST

IT is the only thing keeping us in this game
Alec burks looks like Michael Jordan.
by Lotusprime on Jan 28, 2012 7:56 PM PST

I love Alec Burks
by Chent on Jan 28, 2012 8:43 PM PST

(Note to Jazz fans in case there’s any confusion: They’re referring to Eric Brooks when they say “Alec Burks.”)

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8 points
2 socks, pants, boxers, undershirt, overshirt, hat, watch
AN ARTICLE OF CLOTHING COMES OFF FOR EVERY POINT WE MAKE, LET’S GET NAAAAAAAAKED
by iashwash on Jan 28, 2012 7:59 PM PST

No one would get naked with our O
by SPTSJUNKIE on Jan 28, 2012 8:00 PM PST

Hat and watch off buddy It’s happening
by iashwash on Jan 28, 2012 8:00 PM PST

SOCKS NEXT LEt’s DO ITTTTT
by iashwash on Jan 28, 2012 8:01 PM PST

Fuck.
Socks still on.
by iashwash on Jan 28, 2012 8:01 PM PST

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even if we lose this game we actually won. fuck the jazz. they got like 15 lucky blocks, they got lucky 20 lucky fouls called. the refs dont call crap for us..thats what won them the game. we deserved a win here so fuck it’
by CousinsEvansDUO on Jan 28, 2012 8:05 PM PST

Jimmer is a bust
by Jimmered. on Jan 28, 2012 8:17 PM PST

Coming from the guy that’s named “Jimmered”….
by DiegoKing on Jan 28, 2012 8:18 PM PST

Poor username choice.
He jimmered himself.
by swoosh91 on Jan 28, 2012 8:19 PM PST

Being a Kings fan…
sigh not fair
by CLopez63 on Jan 28, 2012 8:17 PM PST

Could you imagine this team with Kirilenko instead of Salmons
by Widowwolf on Jan 28, 2012 9:33 PM PST

Ever since then, I have systematically vetoed all travel proposals during the NBA season. Unfortunately, I was convinced a few months ago that the 2011-12 season was going to be canceled and committed to a trip in October. I’m leaving real soon, but have spent more time trying to calculate time differences for game times with my sad excuse for math skills than packing.

Anyway, long story short, I’m going to miss the next four games. *disgruntled face*

Quickcap:

CSKA won its first Euroleague Top 16 (Playoffs) match against Olympiacos last night, 86-78. CSKA wasn’t playing particularly well, but they’re so talented they were in the game anyway. Olympiacos led 44-40 at the break.

Sloppy, sloppy ball to start the second half, with the two teams combining for 6 TOs in the first 2:10 of the 3rd quarter. It was still close through three, but CSKA began to slowly but surely pull away, little by little, in the 4th. With a minute to go, Olympiacos cut a 10-point CSKA lead to 5, but CSKA was able to put the game away.

AK tallied 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, and drew 5 fouls in 34 minutes.

I was sure we were going to win this one. Then I found out Chris Paul wasn’t playing. ;) I’m conditioned to believe that any game Chris Paul plays in, we win. As he was out tonight, suddenly the game was up for grabs.

By the end of the night, Jeremy Evans was trending *worldwide* on Twitter:

Paul Millsap got off to a hot start…or rather his hot streak continued from the last game. Utah led by 12 after 1.

Smart CJ came to play in the second quarter…slashing to the tin, as @Texas would say. Things then got completely stagnant, but the Jazz still led by 11 at the half. It should also be mentioned that Al had all four of his assists in the first half.

The stagnation continued into the third, with the Jazz starting 1-7 from the floor. Then Millsap got it going again, and the Jazz were suddenly leading by 20 at the end of 3.

The fourth? Jeremy Time. With Earl and Jeremy’s lob showcase going on, the Jazz lead grew to 30 and Jamaal Tinsley was able to get into the game for the last 6+ minutes. He’s caught my eye all season with how encouraging he is as a presence on the bench (much like Ronnie Price was), and he was really clicking with the young guys when he finally got on the floor. Play of the game (IMO) goes to him and Jeremy:

Another view:

(Thanks to memoismoney for uploading the video…Incredibly, this play did not make the game recap.)

I don’t want to underscore what Millsap and CJ did because there wouldn’t have been The Jeremy Show in the 4th without their first half performance, but how long has it been since we’ve seen this? Blowout, fun, feeling like we’re on top of the world, smiling Jazz players jumping up and down in excitement in front of the bench?

The Jazz are, right now, second in the West. That’s completely meaningless at this point, of course, but it’s still a nice feeling.

Quotage
** Jeremy Evans: [Have you ever leaped over a Kia?] No, I never tried but I did jump over my Camaro. [You jumped over your Camaro?] Yeah, the front end. I didn’t think I could make it but I tried it watching Blake…all the way over, on the other side.
** Earl Watson: [Al said you're looking for the alley-oop at all times.] Yeah, but not when Al’s in the game. (laughs) (1)
** CJ Miles: Devin can throw some [alley-oop passes]. He hasn’t had a chance because Al can’t jump. (1)
** Al Jefferson: Everybody understand their role. Everybody like each other. Everybody get along. Coach been talking defense since the end of last season. Even through the lockout I could wake up in the middle of the night hearing him in my head saying “Defense. Get back on defense.” That’s what we doing right now. That’s the reason why we having a lil success, but we can’t relax. (2)
** Jeremy Evans: [Do you guys practice lobs?] [Earl] just throws it, and I go get it. [Do you and Earl know when it's coming?] Yeah. He’s just looking at me, and the guy overplays, and it’s over. (2)
** Raja Bell: We understand that there was no Chris Paul, but…we were missing Josh and Derrick. (2)

Unintentional Dirty Quote Machines of the Night
** Boler: Millsap is really eating up Blake Griffin. (H/T @vizzle07)
** Harpring on Jordan: He almost had both hands on that, plus his head. He can really get up.
** B/H: Miles with the penetration. (H/T @theutahjazzblog)
** Harpring on CJ: He didn’t mean to do it but it doesn’t matter. It goes in.
** Boler: Inside, Raja. Stop, pop.
** Harpring on Al: What I like is him using a head fake. He’s not going straight up.
** Boler on Fortson: Great move inside, this guy is quick.

(1) KALL
(2) KFAN
“All your dunks” image from the Trib.

justin beiber ran on the court with a hayward jersery on..
by Oh WTF on Jan 17, 2012 6:14 PM PST

haywood
by Oh WTF on Jan 17, 2012 6:15 PM PST

Hayward was right haywood is a center somewhere
by LJ Hann on Jan 17, 2012 6:15 PM PST

I think Hayward is his last name
by ClipperBEAST on Jan 17, 2012 6:15 PM PST

didnt know utah was a running team
by cantthinkofagoodname on Jan 17, 2012 6:15 PM PST

they arent… -_-
by LJ Hann on Jan 17, 2012 6:16 PM PST

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Seems like Millsap is unstoppable
by Jayq on Jan 17, 2012 6:23 PM PST

What’s up with our D?
by SilverClip on Jan 17, 2012 6:30 PM PST

we are the clippers… on the road… in utah…
without cp3… without mo… in the middle of a b2b2b…
by LJ Hann on Jan 17, 2012 6:31 PM PST

Oh
“In Utah” would have sufficed.
by SilverClip on Jan 17, 2012 6:32 PM PST

At least Utah threw in their bench too
Although their bench appears better than ours
by Jayq on Jan 17, 2012 6:44 PM PST

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How did you guys feel when NBA players started being the same age as you?
by peterghost on Jan 17, 2012 6:48 PM PST

Weird
Not to bad though cuz I went to school with two. Darren collison and and jeph pendergraph who I don’t think plays anymore but he was with the trail blazers
by Controversysells on Jan 17, 2012 6:52 PM PST

pandergraph is playing somewhere
by LJ Hann on Jan 17, 2012 6:53 PM PST

WTF where?
His sister used to like me but she’s way too big. I’m not a chubby chaser
by Controversysells on Jan 17, 2012 6:57 PM PST

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Get up Harris…
by Oh WTF on Jan 17, 2012 7:33 PM PST

I know right
Stop acting like a b*tch
by ClipperBEAST on Jan 17, 2012 7:34 PM PST

I don’t understand!
The Jazz are supposed to suck!
……..
Aren’t they?
by WaveOcean on Jan 17, 2012 7:37 PM PST

some things dont change
we arent going to win in Utah
by big0lbad on Jan 17, 2012 7:48 PM PST

I hate Utah.
by chimichanga on Jan 17, 2012 8:03 PM PST

damn you joseph smith!
by nauticazn25 on Jan 17, 2012 8:04 PM PST

vegas spread….utah -4 ….LOL
by nauticazn25 on Jan 17, 2012 8:12 PM PST

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Man w e getting bitch slapped by both the Jazz and the Jazz announcers. This is embarrassing.
by crazyj on Jan 17, 2012 8:12 PM PST

Jazz announcer says.
“To many bricks from the Clips tonight broke the shot clock.”
by saxmanager on Jan 17, 2012 8:18 PM PST

fuck him
by LJ Hann on Jan 17, 2012 8:18 PM PST

lol thats actually kinda funny
by nauticazn25 on Jan 17, 2012 8:19 PM PST

Let’s be honest
we lost this game because of Deron Williams, ironically. If he hadn’t come back and led the nets to tie the game against us we would have won easily with 8-10 less minutes for chauncey and blake
by LJ Hann on Jan 17, 2012 8:31 PM PST

VDN in interview
“guys don’t know schemes, my package is too small, we didn’t have enough focus, I don’t like our energy, etc.”
by LJ Hann on Jan 17, 2012 8:38 PM PST

The first game of the week was a VTB United League game at Lietuvos Rytas, which is the team of Jonas Valanciunas. Keep this name in mind, because once he comes to the NBA, he will become Chris Paul to Enes Kanter’s Deron Williams. Valanciunas was taken fifth (two places after Kanter) in last year’s draft, and fans were already indulging in “who’s better” and “which team made the right pick” debates during EuroBasket.

Last month, BallinEurope did a piece about how Euroleague had banned the performance of national anthems before games, but that the fans of Lithuanian team Zalgiris weren’t taking it lying down and were singing their anthem a capella at games before tipoff.

This wasn’t a Euroleague game, but Lietuvos Rytas is also a Lithuanian team and the fans did the same. It was pretty darn cool. The crowd started singing during warmup drills, and players on both teams respectfully stopped what they were doing and stood in place until they were done.

Valanciunas was dominating early and CSKA was down 13-4 when Andrei checked in at 4:07 in the 1st. He immediately assisted Milos Teodosic on a 3 and stole the ball on the other end.

CKSA closed the quarter on an 11-2 run, and there was one play where AK saved the ball while leaping out of bounds by bouncing it off of a Lietuvos player’s junk.

The 11-2 run became a 22-4 run in the 2nd quarter. During timeouts, you could hear Lietuvos’ coach yelling about “Kirilenko.” CSKA broke the game wide open in the 3rd, outscoring Lietuvos 33-19, and won 84-67.

AK’s line: 13 points (team-high) on 5-5 shooting, 6 rebounds (team-high), 3 assists, 3 steals (game-high), and +/- of +23 (co-game high).

P.S. Valanciunas for whatever reason really likes to go into almost a fetal position after dunking.

Saw him doing this at Eurobasket too, which made for some not-great camera angles.

An account of after the game from Redstar (Google Translated):

In Krasnoyarsk, immediately after the match Andrei Kirilenko hit the tight ring of admirers of his talent. All asked for his autograph, sought to be photographed with him. However, Andrew, referring to rebyatne, said that he needed the locker room, the team and promised to return after 5 minutes. I admit, even I do not believe it, so how many times had become a witness of how our megastar, under any pretext at first hidden in a locker room, and then move in an environment of the bus.

As it was nice to realize that I was wrong this time: after 5 minutes of basketball fans out not only Kirilenko, but Vorontsevich, Kaun, and had not played in this match and Sokolov Teodosich. As a result, thirty minute contact Andrew and company handed over hundreds of autographs.

“But how could I deny these guys?” Admitted the AK-47. “Yes, maybe, some of which are only for this came from. Not for nothing do I have to sign the photographs with my image at various clippings from magazines. It is very warm atmosphere. And when the trains announced, and when I scored, many fans applauded. Nice to play in such an environment.”

Second game of the week was a PBL home game against Spartak St. Petersburg, i.e. AK’s first pro team and deliverer of one of CSKA’s two losses this season.

AK was back to starting in this one, and the first three quarters were really tight. Neither team was able to pull away or make a run, and the lead was rarely ever more than 5. With CSKA’s lead at 4 after 3, it was take-over time for AK. He scored 12 in the final period, including a trey from 2-3 feet behind the arc to give CSKA a 14-point lead with 1:27 left.

AK’s line: 23 points (game-high) on 8 shots, 10 rebounds (game-high), 2 assists, 2 blocks (game-high), and 7 fouls drawn (game-high; 1/4 of all of CSKA’s fouls drawn) in 31:24 (game-high). CSKA won 91-79.

AK was also interviewed this past week about why he chose to stay with CSKA this season. Apart from not wanting to let his teammates and coaches down, he said that he really wants to go to the Olympics this summer. Russia doesn’t have an automatic berth, so it’ll have to play in a qualifying tournament. If AK had returned to the NBA and his team went to the Playoffs, he wouldn’t be able to attend the full training camp for the national team. Also, four of his CSKA teammates as well as the assistant coach are also part of the national team. Andrei further revealed that that he had two NBA offers on the table at the time he decided to stay with CSKA.

Paul Millsap in the fourth quarter was just…are there even words? He just millslapped the Nuggets in the 4th and carried the Jazz to the win. Quietly, efficiently, millsappianly. I was expecting a loss tonight. Instead, we got to see the best effort and 48 minutes so far this season. The Jazz never let up, and played the full 48. Not much more you can ask for (except for health for Derrick Favors).

My second favorite moment of the night:

Raja needs to keep having more babies, because ever since his wife gave birth, he’s been everything we were hoping for when he re-signed with the Jazz last season. Not only is he playing great D and his shot looking pretty, but he’s dunking, blocking shots, and diving for loose balls. From what I can see, he’s also being a great mentor for the young guys.

Quotage
** George Karl on Kanter: “This kid is planting himself before the ball hits the rim, he is so big once he is planted he can’t be moved” (@Lockedonsports)

Random Stuff, etc.
** Public Service Announcement brought to you by Matt Harpring: Only heads on sticks with sticks less than 18 inches long are allowed in the ESA.

Unintentional Dirty Quote Machines of the Night
** Harpring on Millsap: He might have that grip that’s illegal in the NFL. The ball just sticks to his hands.
** Boler on Josh Howard: I don’t know what’s underneath the sweats.
** Harpring: The ball goes side-to-side, nice easy shot for Millsap.
** Harpring on Birdman: He can still get up at 33 years old.
** Harpring: I didn’t know Raja could still get up like he got up right there.
** Harpring: Players don’t like it when other players play hard against you.
** Harpring: I’m not sure why Devin Harris isn’t the main ball-handler right now.
** Denver announcers (H/T @shandonfan):

Finally, mucho love for the green uniforms. They look great, especially when they are not worn with white shoes like the first time around:

where exactly is koufos?
is there a reason he hasn’t played recently despite being so awesome the previous 3 games?
by LaimbeersGuardianAngel on Jan 15, 2012 6:48 PM MST

GK thing
keeps a guy third string so he can plug him into starting lineup and not mess with bench rotation
by james b on Jan 15, 2012 6:49 PM MST

He used to play for Utah.
They have his magic figured out.
by Agaliarept on Jan 15, 2012 6:50 PM MST

Basketball Reasons
by moondoggie12 on Jan 15, 2012 7:13 PM MST

Hayward is the next Tom Chambers
by james b on Jan 15, 2012 7:40 PM MST

Hayward is the next larry bird ;)
by United Nugget Nations on Jan 15, 2012 7:42 PM MST

he looks so young for an nba player
by moondoggie12 on Jan 15, 2012 7:43 PM MST

KOUF IS IN!
by United Nugget Nations on Jan 15, 2012 7:48 PM MST

mr. sub of the game!!!!
by moonchild808 on Jan 15, 2012 7:48 PM MST

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Dang Evans flew
by SDcat09 on Jan 15, 2012 7:49 PM MST

damn
jeremy evans
by LaimbeersGuardianAngel on Jan 15, 2012 7:49 PM MST

omg, we losing!!!
by moondoggie12 on Jan 15, 2012 8:03 PM MST

oh fuck. we cannot lose!!! wtf?
by moonchild808 on Jan 15, 2012 8:03 PM MST

Seriously?
Are you kidding me?
by Fly Agaric on Jan 15, 2012 8:05 PM MST

Correct me if I’m wrong.
But we are only down by 6. With 7 minutes left.
Why all the panic?
by SDcat09 on Jan 15, 2012 8:07 PM MST

Because they are insanely flat.
by Shaz_II on Jan 15, 2012 8:08 PM MST

Like my ex wife!
BOOM!
by Army of Nugs on Jan 15, 2012 8:08 PM MST

Sounds like she needs to find a good plastic surgeon then
by Shaz_II on Jan 15, 2012 8:09 PM MST

Doesnt matter to me
I aint gotta see her no mo
by Army of Nugs on Jan 15, 2012 8:10 PM MST

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Wow, hayward is WHITE
by moondoggie12 on Jan 15, 2012 8:11 PM MST

Millsap is hot
by moondoggie12 on Jan 15, 2012 8:12 PM MST

He scored the last 16 points for Utah
by WaveOcean on Jan 15, 2012 8:14 PM MST

Well this is really bad
No explanation. I guess I should chill when following the Nuggets.
The Jazz are absolute first grade scrubs and I don’t know how Milsap gets away with traveling on most plays.
by JR15 on Jan 15, 2012 8:14 PM MST

**** karl
that is all.
by El Scorcho! on Jan 15, 2012 8:25 PM MST

Seconded.
by BryanM on Jan 15, 2012 8:28 PM MST

Third
by Colsportsfan on Jan 15, 2012 8:33 PM MST

Per Jody Genessy, it was exactly two years ago that Sundiata Gaines hit the second biggest shot in Utah Jazz history to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers. Ah, the good ol’ days.

Don’t have much in the way of recapping. For most of the night, I had difficulty focusing on the game because I was so distracted and frustrated by the booing every time Deron touched the ball.* I knew he was going to get booed during player intros, and while I was not for it, if you had to get that out of your system, ok, whatever.

It got way out of hand, though, as the booing continued all the way into the second half. The fans made themselves look bad, and it was embarrassing. Nights like tonight make it hard for me to comprehend how the Jazz have a reputation for having “the best fans in the league.” And of course the fans looked even worse with Deron spending time signing autographs for fans during shootaround and being all classy in his post-game.

*This is coming from someone who believes Deron contributed to (I didn’t say “was responsible for”) Jerry’s resignation.

…Jazz won…

Quotage
** Chris Carrino (Nets play-by-play): When the team is not playing well, it’s obvious how Deron feels…we pointed out on the air a few days ago that he was getting obviously frustrated and showing it on the floor, and it’s not a healthy thing for your teammates when you do that. The Nets coaching staff actually addressed that with him, and that was a major thing they went over with him. (2)
** Al Jefferson: Memo, good guy man. Miss him. He was a great leader. I know the fans gonna welcome him with open arms. He deserves it. He’s one of the best guys I know. (1)
** Deron, on whether he can see himself playing in Utah again: “No. That chapter in my life is over.” (DN)
** Al on first time he was traded: Me leaving Boston was kind of sad, because Boston was the team that drafted me and I’ve still got mad love for them. But at the same time, if I was Danny Ainge, I would’ve traded me for Kevin Garnett, too. (Trib)
** Devin Harris on Derrick Favors: He’s doing a lot more talking. … He’s starting to open up a little bit. Maybe three [-word answers] if you’re lucky. (Trib)
** Memo Okur: I kind of felt [getting traded was a possibility] because I was going to be free agent, and I was oldest guy on the team. We had too many big guys…So I was preparing myself, but sometimes I felt like this gonna be my career-ending team. So I just, you know. I was shocked, kind of disappointed, but now I moved on and I’m happy where I am. (3)

Random Stuff, etc.
** This conversation took place when the following was shown:
Boler: Double date?
Harpring: Are we making her choose?

** Poor Steve Brown. Threw up on his tie, but had to go on camera before he could change:

** P3 posted this new video of Al working out over the summer, but it looks like he’s dancing:

Unintentional Dirty Quote Machines of the Night
** Harpring: You’re going to have Memo and Deron coming at you hard.
** Boler to Harpring: You were a banger. Did you ever consider wearing protection? (H/T @_alexisholt)
** Harpring on Deron: When he’s got his desire, he’s up there.
** Hapring: I don’t think there’s a bigger nose for the ball than Millsap in the NBA.
** Harpring: You know I get up quite early.
** Boler: Deron goes inside Humphries. (It was actually “Deron goes inside. Humphries…” but Boler failed to pause in between.)
** Boler: “Kanner” handles that ball nicely.
** Al Jefferson, post-game: Paul more of an inside-outside guy. I’m more of an inside guy.
** Al Jefferson (H/T @BWightman84)

** Brian T. Smith:

Unintentional Dirty Image of the Night (Trib)

(1) KALL
(2) KFAN
(3) Utah Jazz