Cute Couple Alert: The Malones
Back in 1999 (i.e. during the last century), Kay Malone revealed that she calls Karl her “boyfriend,” which kept the romance alive in their relationship.
14 years later, she still calls him her boyfriend. :)
Jazz-Related Bits from Zach Lowe Interview, 5/9
Assessment of Tyrone Corbin’s performance this year*
* The question was of course prefaced with “Tyrone Corbin took over the job under difficult circumstances, had so many free agents this year,” etc.
He was given a difficult situation…but you know, I do think there are serious issues with his rotation choices, playing lineups that just didn’t work, playing guys or not playing guys that clearly were net positives enough. And we’re just gonna have to see how those things shake themselves out going forward.
And obviously the defense has really just gotten no better through two years on the job for him, or two-plus years on the job.
And that’s, you know, once you start to get into Year Two and Three and Four without a lot of improvement on that end–that’s where a coach can really make his mark, I think, more than on offense even.
Which young point guards do you see as good fits for the Jazz?
The best young point guards are obviously going to be restricted free agents, and pursuing those guys is difficult because you can, you know, tie up your cap space on an offer that the other team is then just going to match, and just end up striking out and maybe having to sort of go into the unrestricted pile, which is mostly placeholder guys like a Jarrett Jack or Jose Calderon or the guy that’s already there, in Mo Williams.
But they’ll certainly take a look at Brandon Jennings, who I don’t know would be a very good fit there. And a guy that’s really come on strong in the second half of the season, and people in Utah probably have not seen him much, is Jeff Teague, and I think that’s another name of the restricted guys that I think they’ll definitely look at.
Thoughts on the “Core Four” and the Jazz’s direction going forward?
It’s a nice core group. I mean, I sort of call it the “Core Three and a Half” because we just haven’t seen enough of [Alec] Burks to conclude exactly how good he’s gonna be, and his shooting has been sort of hit or miss, that, you know, really, if you look at a guy, you know, what has he played…over 2,000 minutes, rather, in the NBA? That, in the scheme of things, is a really tiny sample size. But no, that’s a nice core of players.
They would definitely be a lottery team without that veteran presence up front. And, if, but if you sort of plug in some good veterans, you know, on the cheap, guys that play defense, guys that play, you know, can shoot threes, a guy like Matt Barnes maybe comes in on the wing on the cheap, something like that, you can crank out 35 wins with a roster like that. All of those young guys will clearly improve.
[Gordon] Hayward especially, I think, is ready for a little bit more of a burden on offense. But yeah, I mean, there’s no question, you let [Paul] Millsap and [Al] Jefferson go without getting a really good player somewhere along the way, you’re gonna be in the lottery. And the Western Conference is what it is; it’s loaded. (1280)
Bits from Randy Rigby Interview, 5/8
What’s going on with the team?
It was great to stop in and see how Kevin [O'Connor] and Dennis [Lindsey] were doing, and we’re, they’re literally bunkered in over at Zions Bank Basketball Center, and Walt Perrin was over there. I know Bart Taylor,* a number of our people, and we’re, they’re really focused in on everything about getting ready for the draft.
And they’re looking at every which way with the different players, what’s going on, and they’re going to a lot of these reviews that’s happened during this time of year, looking at the players, again, that are being selected, and so they’re going through a lot of hard work in really getting ready.
I’m really impressed with the work that they do, to make sure that we’ve turned over every stone, ask every hard question, so that we’re really make sure that as we’re making the right decisions, we truly will make the right decisions.
* Not sure who Bart Taylor is. Anyone know? Is this him? If so, he was a new Jazz intern nine months ago.
Could the Jazz package their draft picks to move up, or is there a good player to be had where they’re picking?
I think right now my answer is yes to both of those things.
I, it’ll be interesting to see if teams would be willing to see if we can package and trade up. I think our guys will do all the necessary work, and again, see if they can talk to any other teams and say, “Would we be better off if we could move up?” — guaranteeing that we would have a better chance of having even a better player.
That’s what we’re always about, is trying to do everything we can to get the best players and the best talent possible to help this team have a chance of winning a championship. And so, they’ll look at those options.
We’ll look at that, also, if that’s not the case, and we stay with the picks that we have, what’s, what are, who are those right choices that we think we can make to have the best chance for winning a te–a, have a winning team.
“Even when you guys ebb and flow as a team, and even when the stadium isn’t full, you got loud and proud fans.”
We have, I think, really, the, some of the best fans, if not the best fans, in the NBA. They’re very loyal. They’re very committed to this marketplace and to our team.
And it shows in this year. We’ve had, from our season ticket base, we have an 83 percent renewal of our tickets this year from our season ticket holders, which is, again, showing of the support of our fan base.
When fans show their disapproval with boos, does realization dawn that change is needed?
Well, you know what, again. The one thing I’ve learned: Don’t overreact in this game. And that’s the, I think one of the hallmarks of the Utah Jazz, that we have not overreacted on maybe a game, or even a series of games, ’cause, you know, sometimes you go through those ebbs and flows, right, of, in sports.
And we’ve not overreacted, but we’ve taken the well, strategic moves, and it’s usu–it’s most always paid off for us.
But when you do hear those [boos], it does, it takes you back. But let me just say, our players hear that as well, and our coaches. And you know, I’ve had occasions in the locker room where I’ve, you know, they said, “Hey, they booed us, and we deserved it.”
And you know what, hopefully our coaches and basketball operations people have used that as a point to our players to just say, “You know what? We owe it to these fans to be giving our all. They won’t boo us if they see us trying and working hard. But if they see that all of a sudden we’re not doing all that we can, then we need to, they’re sending a message to us.”
But our fans do that very rarely.
Jumbotron update
I’ll tell you what, we’re, we talk about working on the draft. We’re feverishly working on that very issue as well. And I, this is something that is very near and dear to Greg Miller, Steve Miller.
All of us are working very hard on this, and we should have something for our fan base within the next 30 days. (1280)
* Summer calendar (top right) updated.
Bits from Dennis Lindsey Interviews, 5/3 and 5/6
The reports that Kevin O’Connor is stepping down have been refuted. Can you shed some light on the infrastructure and how you go back and forth?
Well, one, we’ve moved, you know, from, you know, knowing each other and being friendly to really being friends, and you know, I consider him a professional confidant and a mentor, and he’s someone that, you know, I have a great deal of respect for, you know, and now care for at a deep level.
And I just hope on a personal level, that, you know, we can keep him happy, engaged and in a real sweet spot so he, you know, he’s a member of the Jazz for a long time. I think that’s all of our goal … The best way that I can describe Kevin and my relationship is, we’re a team, and you know, I hope at some level that that’s for a long time.
On Tyrone Corbin and rebuilding
We fully support Ty and the rebuilding effort that we’re undertaking right now…
There are ways to rebuild on the fly. You know, clearly we’re trying to do it by staying competitive.
Will we take a step back? I’m never gonna say that, because I think it lowers the bar for the players, for the coaches, for management, for ownership, collectively. Will we strategically decide to go young and keep our salary flexible for something greater? Possibly.
On the term “Core Four”
I hate it…Yeah, so, one, it’s, you know, I’m, you’ll never hear me say it. You’ll never hear me validate that term.
The 15th guy really has a role, whether that’s a highly respected culture veteran that adds something to the group, or it’s a young guy that’s developing, you know, into something greater. So to parse out one player, to isolate four players, I just don’t think it’s the way you want to build your culture.
Are the young guys developing on a championship arc?
I would say this: Enes Kanter played almost the exact same minutes that Tim Duncan did his senior year. And Tim Duncan developed fine inside of those minutes.
So many times we confuse the minutes in games with “development,”* and if you go and you look at European soccer, if you look at, you know, Central America baseball, they have ratios of practice to play…
And I would say games illuminate development, you know, really development’s done in this gym or in the weight room.
* “Development” is in quotes because Lindsey made air quotes while saying it.
You’ve been saying since All-Star break that the Jazz want Derrick Favors to be playing a lot of one-on-one this summer…
Yes, Derrick is very aware [that management wants him to be doing that]. Derrick actually asked for a workout partner.* We’ll keep those close to the vest right now, ’cause we’re in the process of trying to vet who’s best.
* Yet another worrying instance of a young player having to ask for help instead of being given it or directed toward it.
Also, why are they trying to make Favors a one-on-one player? That is not his game. Sure, he can improve in this area, but why is this the focal point? Is it because that’s all Corbin has in his playbook?
Is there concern over fan [dis]engagement and the swaths of green seats at the ESA this season?
So, you know, I would defer some of those questions to Randy Rigby in the business side. …
[Following the Deron Williams/Carlos Boozer years], we decided we needed to kick-start a new era, so we’re in the beginning process of that, so naturally the level of interest is going to, you know, be, there’s going to be a direct corelation to wins and losses, and right now, look, we can’t hide where we’re at. We’re in the middle of a rebuild.
Now, you can make an argument we stepped, skipped a step or two relative to the rebuild ’cause of Kevin and Ty’s expertise,* but you know, we’re very comfortable with our spot. We’re very comfortable with our position. (1280, KUTV)
* No really, Lindsey said that.
“Back together again!!”
Posted by Amy Williams (@mewithana) on her Instagram: “Back together again!!…Dinner time! #goodfriends #nyc #beentoolong #bagatelle”
The Williamses and Boozers also hung out in Miami over All-Star Weekend (and the Boozers are apparently back together…again):
(H/T @dianaallen)
Bits from Kevin O’Connor Interview, 5/2
Interesting that KOC went on ESPN 700, which he rarely does, to refute the “stepping down” report…
Are you stepping down?
I got a phone call and [they] said, “Are you stepping down?” And I thought, well, I don’t think so, no. And then I thought, I better not comment. Maybe they changed the locks on the door on me. I didn’t know.
But no. I don’t, again, I think when you see me at all the draft work[out]s, and you see me at the draft, and you see me at free agency, and you’ll see me at the, at training camp, and at the season, and I think you’ll understand that I didn’t step down…
Again, I, I’m disappointed that it came out, you know, all the things that came out like it did. And you know, to me, “stepping down” means I’m resigning, I’m retiring, or whatever. And that’s not the case…
[The house that was sold] certainly wasn’t a mansion and it certainly wasn’t, you know, something that was newsworthy, but you know, we did sell it. We are renting right now, and looking to decide what we want to do. Do we want to continue to [rent], but I, you know, again, and then I read where I was going–North Carolina–and it’s actually South Carolina where the place is, and then I read where, you know, I was gonna be close to Belmont Abbey, which I wouldn’t be…
So I think it was pretty inaccurate all the way around, to be honest.
Is this the most monumental off-season since you’ve been with the Jazz?
Well, there was a guy named [Karl] Malone and [John] Stockton, and they left in the same year. Now, I would have to say that probably in the next millenium there might not be a bigger year than that year.
And I thought we’d probably get the first or second or third pick in the draft for sure, and Jerry [Sloan] screwed us and won about 42 games, if I remember correctly…He just tried to win every game and he did, and so we wound up with the 14th pick…I’ll say this is a very big summer, but I think that one was monumental.
How things have changed from being able to accept rebuilding and expecting a high draft pick to “re-tooling” and remaining playoff-competitive…
What does Salt Lake City have to offer to free agents?
You know, you look at Salt Lake and you say it’s not close to the, you know, ocean and it’s cold and there’s a lot of cities that are like that in our league. So what you look at, when I think about it, is, you look at our practice facility, you look at the school systems, you look at how easy it is to commute and get to where you need to get to.
And most of all, you look at our building. And most nights, you see 17[,000] and 19,000 people sitting in there and rooting like crazy for us…There’s a reason we play well at home, and it’s those fans that are in the building that help us…[In other arenas], you could throw a hand grenade in one of the sections and not hurt anybody, ’cause there’s nobody there. I think it’s a plus.
Has the perception of Salt Lake City improved among NBA players since the late 90s?
Let me just go back. We put an offer sheet on Jason Terry and Corey Maggette at a number that we felt was reasonable. They accepted the offer sheets. So they were two guys that wanted to come.
And they were reasonable offers. I mean, it wasn’t like we were way overpaying. And that’s at Corey really played above his contract, and so did Jason for the three years that he, that he was, that we would’ve had him under contract.
They were matched, so obviously the team thought, valued them enough to match the contract. But again, those were two guys that wanted to come.
The next year, we were able, there was a little bit of a loophole, which they’ve closed, we were able to sign [Carlos] Boozer amd [Mehmet] Okur, as free agents. And they wanted to come.
Do you go after big names, or are they not worth your time?
Let me just give you, let me go back and give you one…Shaq[uille O'Neal] said no to us. But we made him say no. You know, it wasn’t like we didn’t make the phone call.
[What year was that?]
Oh, God. I’m trying to remember. When he left L.A. and went to…[Was it Miami?] I don’t even remember. Yeah. I can’t remember exactly what year it was, but you know, we had enough money and we made the phone call.
And [his agent] said, “You know, we’re probably looking at a warm weather city,” and I said, “Well, you know, we have an ability to get a lot of heavy coats up here.”
On Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap
Here’s what happens: The minute you figure out that something, some team can’t do something, they’ll wind up doing it.
Example: When they, Portland had LaMarcus Aldridge and signed Paul to an offer sheet. You know, that one I never saw coming and didn’t get a feel for it. And so, “it only takes one” is our comment around here.
And both Al and Paul, and especially those two, ’cause we actually traded for Mo [Williams], but those two guys really did an incredible job of playing the game of basketball, not playing pressed to try and you know, explain what their motives were.
I think they cared about the team, I think they cared about who, trying to make the playoffs. They could’ve been more of a distraction, a lot more of a distraction than they were, because they were obviously our two leading scorers. So give them both kudos for doing that, and you know, that says a lot about who you want back, because they could’ve, their character showed in a tough time for them.
Overall take on Tyrone Corbin this season
Well, I don’t think he gets enough credit for knowing, I think we had nine, I think we had a total of nine free agents now, I think that’s about right, but maybe I, whatever it is. …
And I thought he did an incredible job maintaining, you know, great discipline in the locker room. You know, we went 10-3 down the stretch trying to make the playoffs. He did all of the things that we needed done.
And you know, I think he put another star next to his name as far as some of those things go. And we talked about in the off-season, we gotta try and do a better job defensively, we gotta try and do a better job in the fourth quarter, we gotta try and do a better job closing out games.
And he’s his toughest cri–he’s the toughest critic he’s got, you know? He’s, he beats himself up pretty good about it, but I think as you put a microphone in front of him, and you felt a guy with character, and you felt a guy with class, and you felt, we feel a guy that’s growing every year in his job.
On Marvin Williams, and player and team options
I think you’ll find from [Marvin's agent], that he’ll let us know a day or two days before, maybe even before that, about whether Marvin’s coming back or not, and you know, those are decisions that he makes, and you know, to be fair to Marvin, if he does it on the 30th, that’s within his rights.
And you know, we do that with players about picking up their option, and everything else, ’cause God forbid one of ‘em gets hurt, or you know, I always talk about the Jay Williams thing, you know, with the motorcycle accident.
You know, you always worry that you pick up somebody’s option a week before you’re supposed to or a week before you have to, and somebody gets hurt and you go, “Why did I do that?”…
My sense is that, you know, we’ve gotta get more out of [Marvin]. He wants to get more out of himself. He’s a class guy and a wonderful guy, and I think we’ll be better off and better served having him back ’cause I think he’ll have a good year for us next year.
How did you and Dennis Lindsey work together in the first year?
You know, I appreciate the question and I would tell you this, that we wish we’d done it two or three years earlier, to be honest with you. It was, it’s worked out wonderfully and you know, I feel like we’ve hit a home run with Dennis.
And he’s gonna be able to do a lot of things, and we’re gonna be a, hopefully, able to do a lot of things together, as far as that goes. But it’s worked out, it’s been terrific. We knew what his DNA was coming from Yuston [Houston] and working for Carroll Dawson, and working for R.C. Buford in San Antonio. And he brings a style. Besides, he speaks a lot better than I do, so you’ll be able to appreciate that.
Do the Jazz have an untouchable player?
I don’t think so. You know, I don’t feel as though there’s anything that’s untouchable. (KALL)
Bits from Karl Malone Interview, 5/2
Karl Malone’s perspective on the physicality of today’s NBA and the Golden State – Denver series
First of all, now, you talking to a man that, I didn’t start playing ’til I got hit, ok? …
That’s not physical, are you kidding me? Are you for real, Mark [Jackson]? That is not physical. No no no. So I can’t go with that. You know, I hear what he’s saying, and he’s trying to jockey, you know, Mark’s a quick study. He know, he pull a old Phil Jackson* out of his hat now, realizing that the series now 3-2 going back home.
So he want that extra motivation for the referees to kind of watch. But no. I, let me just tell you this: no. By the way. Mark played back then, now. That’s not physical. But hey, if it work for them. I’m just a old, retired, broke-down player that don’t have a job. He got a job, so I don’t know what I’m talking about.
* “He pull a old Phil Jackson.” UDQM
On Karl Malone’s Bucket List
I was able to scratch off one of my bucket lists. I was a Grand Marshal at the Texas Motor Speedway, from NASCAR. And I said, “Drivers, start your engines.” So I get to scratch that off.
Now, keep in mind now, I was definitely the minority at that. There was 200,000 people. Hey, I didn’t see a lot of our kind around there. (laughs) But hey, hey look. It was unbelievable. I had a awesome time there.
Karl Malone on Jason Collins
Jason Collins. Hey, let’s just cut right through the skinny…I’m proud of the young man, ok? I knew [the interview] was going to head there, so let’s just head it in that direction. It’s ok, I’m good with it. Let me just tell you this.
Isn’t it about time that we stop wasting so much time and energy on what a person prefer? You know what, guys, we’re not the one who should be judging down here. You know, live our life. If you Christian, if you whatever, that’s great. But let them, it’s not our decision to judge down here.
Let me throw some scenarios out here for you guys, ok? So you know, we also have, I do a lot for our military. I love our military. So I been hearing about the gays in the military.
So, question. So, if you got the enemy with a gun pointing toward your head, and you know one of your fellow soldiers are gay, now, you been the one that said “No gays in the military,” ok? Do it matter to you, then, if somebody about to take your life, if one of your gay comrades save your life? I don’t think it do…
This is my opinion, and Imma tell you why I got my opinion, ok? My brother-in-law, who was in the Air Force, right, my brother-in-law is gay. He got married to his partner that’s gay. Now, 25 years from now, being from the south, this probably would’ve been a different story. He educated me.
You know, so my thing is this right here. I love my brother-in-law, Ken, just like I do my brothers. Because it’s time for us to get past all that. Now, we talk about it; we talk about it all the time.
Now I, you know what, and let me just tell you this. I am married, and I’m fine. Now, if that’s your preference, it’s not for us to judge. And look, this is my opinion, because I have friends of mine that’s gay.
Now, hey, I just took over this interview. Don’t y’all like that? Now, I got a question for you. If, look, guys, I can multi-task a little bit. I am getting a cricket. Right now, putting it on a hook with a bobber. And now, I’m talking to y’all. And I lost my train of thought.*
OK. So, my thing is this right here, ok? My whole attitude about all of this is this. This is strictly my opinion. I’m not going on, I’m not interested in doing the circuit. I’m not trying to sell a book. I’m not interested in doing the circuit to debate somebody.
But if we think, in this day and age, that [Jason] Collins is the only gay athlete that actively playing sports, you got another thing coming, America. Let’s get your head out of the sand.
Now, here’s what Imma tell you too. I played with a teammate, John Amaechi, that was gay. Now, he didn’t just wake up and decide, “I’m gay today.” So I have to think, I played with him for three or four years, he was gay then. Did I ever once feel uncomfortable, ok? Do I feel uncomfortable right now if a gay person around me? No.
* Most Karl thing ever. :)
“But you didn’t know that Amaechi was gay then…”
Well, let me add some more. Let me add a little bit of more caveat to that same equation. I am 100 percent sure of my manhood, ok? If a guy is gay, he can’t change my thought…
So yeah, I had teammates that was gay. I didn’t think about it then, but I didn’t look back saying, “Oh gosh…gross, gross!” I didn’t say that. And I’m telling you now, if I was still playing, I will lay down the gauntlet right now. If I was still playing, and Jason was a teammate of mine, or John Amaechi was a teammate of mine, ok, and other guys that could be gay, I would still undress in front of them now. I’m not afraid of that.
Now, remember, with age come a little bit of wisdom and a little bit of knowledge. I must say, I, with age, I became more open and educated on things. Just like the Magic Johnson thing. I don’t take back what I said, but I’m educated on it, ok?
We can have a civilized debate, because I’m not one to say, “Nope, this how it is. This how it is.” … I’m just speaking from my feeling and my experience. I have no problem at all. Matter of fact, I almost did the cover for the great, the gay pride magazine in Utah. And if they axed me to be the Grand Marshal in their parade, I would do it.
Would Karl Malone be upset about someone passing him on the all-time scoring list?
No, sir…If I felt like that, I would’ve kept playing. I came back from my injury, I would’ve kept playing. I never played the game for stats. And if someone were to overtake me, if I get their [phone] number, I’ll be the first one to congratulate them…
Every great thing gotta come to an end. And I’m happy, and I’ll be more than happy if somebody approaches or pass me. I’m not a hater, and I don’t drink haterade. So I’m good.
…
Here’s how we like to finish my interviews, like this. I’m Karl Malone, and I approve of this message.* (97.5 FM)
* Hearing this just makes me grin and grin. I love Karl!!
Bits from Randy Rigby Interview, 5/1
On the “Kevin O’Connor is stepping down and moving to a Carolina” report
Well, I, you know what, I’d just as soon just stand by the statement [above] that I made, and that is, you know what, Kevin O’Connor is not stepping down.
He is, his role, as we’ve defined it, senior vi–executive vice president of basketball operations, is critical, and what he’s doing, and, for us, is really a key role for us, right now, in, and, we have the utmost respect for what Kevin is doing.
And the work that Kevin and Dennis [Lindsey] are doing in conjunction with each other is going extremely well right now, and there is no at all discussions of Kevin stepping down. There is no, and Kevin’s going to be, involved with the Utah Jazz for many years to come.
So you know, I, I’m, we’re, best in, just, you know, m–is, in making that comment, and moving on.
Which type of basketball do you prefer?
I, you know what? I like a good balance of, I don’t like just the run and gun. I really enjoy seeing some tough, gritty basketball.
Playoff basketball-style, that is playing some very good defense, that’s going on with, yes, guys that are playing hard, and working through it, and running good offenses that, so I like some good scoring, but at the same time I really like to see teams that are playing good defense and not just trying to outscore the other team.
On the Sacramento Kings and Seattle
It’s a tough one, ’cause you know what? Both of those are very good markets, and we’ve had a lot of memories of, you know, playing up there with the Seattle Supersonics, and very great sports marketplace.
As well as Sacramento. Those people have paid a big price for, to support that team through their ups and their downs, and it was a, it’s a tough decision.
But I think that’s why collectively, I know the owners are not talking about it, but you know what, they put all the facts out there, and it’ll be interesting to see where the final vote is, but I really have a great respect for the process that we go through as an org–NBA, in the decision making, for the good of the league in total, as well as the teams. And so, I totally respect the decisions of, have come out of the NBA.
Rigby on the city of Seattle in April 2012:
“Unfortunately, you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. I think Seattle people are realizing, you know what? We are a good mix for NBA basketball, and it’s a shame we let that team go. So hopefully they’ve learned a lesson.”
What are the Jazz doing this offseason to improve the product, excluding personnel decisions?
We’re doing some fun things that we’re also trying to do in improving our game operations, and we’ve had a great, we have a great organization, that’s done a great job there as well…
But we’re gonna continue to work in, on our game presentations, that are going on there, and then, we’re doing a number of things with some of our key sponsors, and with our sponsorship, and renewals that are, busy part of also re–of getting some of our key sponsors back, engaged with us, and so that’s a get, big part of our offseason as well.
We right now, in fact, are, we have 66 of our 100 key sponsors, that we’re in the process of renewing their contracts, and so, that’s an anomaly for us of the number that we have this year that is back in the lineup like it is, and so we’re busy trying to get them also back involved, which we, every, exp–plan right now is that they’re coming back, and we’re excited about that, ’cause it’s important that we have their support.
Are there any plans to renovate EnergySolutions Arena over the next 10 years?
I’ll tell you, the commitment from the Miller family is that we really feel that we have a special building there that has been well taken care of, that has a well-designed structure so that we can enjoy that building for the next 20-25 years. And we’re looking at ongoing plans.
I mean, right now, some plans are more, I, we’ll be sharing some more things that we are doing in the next little while. But right, I think we’re looking at long-term plans as well, and we’re just gonna take those kind of a step at a time. Nothing that I could, right now, announce to our listeners.
Given the number of major injuries around the league, is the NBA season too long?
Well, I’ll tell you, it’s, it is a very tough, grinding schedule, and it’s one that I know that the NBA is looking very closely at. They’re having some additional discussions as it relates to medical injuries and med–and the play of athletes.
It is so much more of a physical game, I know, and it’s, there’s a lot more with how our players conditioning it, our, what they’re doing. And they’re playing so much more now above the rim, and once you start, you leave your feet, and you’re up in the air, you know, that’s where injuries can happen a lot easier.
And I know it’s something that the NBA is very concerned about, but it, I think, we will take a very pragmatic, and, look at it, and make sure that we do the proper analysis, and then I think if there is a need for making some maybe minor calibrations, I think it’s something that we’ll look at.
But I think they feel that right now, we like what we have. We like the length of the season, and unfortunately, injuries is part of the game, and playing through ‘em. And that’s why a lot of times where I’ve said, let’s get into the Playoffs ’cause you never know what can happen.
What is the best and worst part about your job?
You know what? The thing I like best about it is the competitive nature of sports and seeing these players that are the best that they can be, the best basketball players in the world, that they’re coming into our arena, and they’re entertaining our crowd.
‘Cause when I see our game operations people put together a great game, and see the efforts that all of my, our staff, in their different areas, from our ticket sales to our sponsor sale, to even our ushers and people, all of our people working together in harmony to put on a good event, and then you see an event that has this unbelievable competitive nature that goes on, and it makes for a great game.
And see the crowd around, enjoying that, and cheering, and being so into it, and hearing ‘em talk about it the next day, it’s very fulfilling for me, to realize that we’re a part of making those memories and that experience going on, in our community. That’s a very gratifying to me.
And the part that I, the part that is tough for me, unfortunately, is when you have to make tough decisions as a businessperson, maybe in doing cutbacks in your staff, or making, sending a player that is a friend, but is not right in looking at, for necessarily, our team, for, ’cause we got, we want to always improve, in making those improvements, and it means that you’re affecting people’s lives.
Mockup: Utah Jazz Mardi Gras Uniforms
Our current uniforms are infinitely better than their personality-free navy and baby blue predecessors, but I really like the way these turned out.
Home / primary and possible alternate:
Road / primary and alternate:
What do y’all think, would you buy/wear any of these?
P.S. I believe this is still our primary logo (someone correct me if I’m wrong). This mess of colors makes a pretty convincing argument an update is in order.
