Episode 31 – The Electrifying Utah Jazz are into the second round

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I must be getting old. At least, I have arrived at that conclusion following the first playoff series with the Houston Rockets, and the first game with the Golden State Warriors.

Many years ago – when my passion for the Utah Jazz was forged – I would not have come away from a hard-won series with the same positive feelings that I currently have for the Houston Rockets. The Jazz had to win two elimination games in a row, including a game 7 in Houston, and it was a pair of tough, physical games. I was hoping for a good game and an honorable showing, but to be honest, I didn’t expect a victory. When the Jazz won, it was dramatic and tough medicine for the losing team to swallow, but I thought the Rockets handled everything with a great deal of class. I wrote this last week, and it continues to be true: I have become a fan of the Houston Rockets.

I figured the second series would be a different story. Golden State is a younger team that likes to play fast and loose basketball, and with a great deal of emotion. The sort of team, in other words, that rubs the entire Utah Jazz playing style the wrong way. Philosophical differences would lead to practical differences, which would make for fireworks and bulletin board quotes. This may still happen, and I would expect a very thrilling series even if it doesn’t explode into full-blown “heated rivalry” status. But there is something I can’t shake about it. I am starting to like the Golden State Warriors, too.

This is unprecedented (for me, at least). It’s not as if I am tired of following the Jazz, or have become any less faithful as a fan. But I think I like the Warriors, too. I shouldn’t be surprised, because there is a lot to like about them. I like Matt Barnes’ hustle and Jason Richardson’s teamwork. Al Harrington came out of a slump to be the most dangerous person on the floor in game 1, and the curious redemption story of Stephen Jackson (along with his top-notch play) is intriguing. And who doesn’t like Baron Davis? They have a lot of personality similarities to the Jazz, right down to the brilliant and gruff old coach who likes to play possum with the media. The bottom line is: unless something changes drastically, I will probably end up as a fan of the Golden State Warriors, regardless of the series outcome.

Maybe I shouldn’t consider it getting old, but becoming a bit more mature. Mature as a sports fan, and mature as a human being. I don’t know if that sounds better in my ears, but maybe my mom will be glad to hear it. I’m still rooting for the Jazz to win, though, in spite of my recent emotional breakthrough and in defiance of some excellent and intriguing points made in an article by Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News (which were similar in spirit to comments made by other fans of the Warriors). Either way, it shapes up to be the most interesting series of all the remaining NBA playoff matchups.

There is more still in the podcast, of course, but I don’t want to spoil it for you.

Our top three in Utah for this week:

3. Andrei Kirilenko

2. Carlos Boozer

1. Deron Williams

Thanks for reading and listening to the Utah SportsCast! We also want to thank our sponsor, ShieldZone Corporation, for their help and friendship.

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zach@utahsportscast.com

nate@utahsportscast.com

posted by Nate and Zach @ 4:21 PM