Conversation With Wesley Matthews
Posted by johnathankendrick on 11,20,2009
People have used the same paraphrased metaphor as an example in teaching, lectures, and most public speaking or jokes. The idea that educated minds have to think about what came first, the chicken or the egg, has been entertaining for many years. The metaphor outlines that a chicken could not have came first, because it was supposed to be hatched from an egg. The egg, along the same lines, could not have came first because it was supposed to be laid by a chicken. Although the theory of evolution would disprove the argument and solve the answer, listeners are required to think more immediate answers as to what came first, the chicken or the egg. Well I won't bore you with the history of it all, but I will provide a different metaphor along the same lines, What came first, the Fans or the Money?
From the historical viewpoint we can see that the fan of the Utah Jazz came before the money. In articles about Larry H. Miller acquiring the Jazz and helping to start the team's success in Utah; they always mention that he was a great fan of the sport. A season ticket holder at the time, he was offered a mailing for prospective partnership packages due to his standing in the business world and community. Miller loved the Jazz, and loved the idea of sports in Utah wanting the Jazz to succeed. When he was offered the packet he was later quoted as not having the money, but he had the interest. When Miller purchased half the franchise in 1985, and later the rest of it in 1986, he did not have the money, he borrowed it in a loan. Miller said that it was clear that if the Jazz moved due to a lack of financial backing, they would never come back. The economy (Money) drew that line, but as a fan Larry H. Miller crossed it. He was later detailed as saying the purchase made him realize he could do anything if he puts his mind to it. The fan wins this round.
From a religious point of view one could argue that God created man, and that man created money. It also goes on, however, to state that god made man in his own image, and that money is made from trees. When matching the “Chicken and the Egg” metaphor, many religious arguments stem from the book of genesis which states that; ““And God created…every winged fowl...”. That being said the chicken came before the egg correct? If that is so then money was made from paper which is made from trees. Did the trees come before man? That is at least how it is stated in the King James Bible, man came after God created the Earth. So the money came before the Fan. In retrospect, however, God created man, man created money from trees. (I will ignore the money grows on trees argument). Man had the emotions and desire to follow sports zealously and with a devotion that sometimes is only seen in religions, long before he learned how to make money from trees. (I am referring to a little story about Adam and Eve and a certain Fruit). Okay so desire for sports and fan-like tendencies came way after man created money. I guess the money wins this round.
There are many other arguments to prove which came first including delving into the Theory of Evolution, Darwinism, and lets not forget the sensationalists who decide that fans are only first because they spent their money on the game. You need money for a sport. You need money to fit uniforms, find talent, and sensationalize the game where you create fans from the sport. But, and I offer this to the Jazz Players; did you not remember that the money came from potential fans?
There is a good amount of opinions, scorns and ridicule about Carlos Boozer and his “runs out of the mouth” so to speak. My question to Boozer is; Did you forget that the fans pay the tickets, write about you, and support you thick and thin? The money comes by not only backing up what you say, but proving to yourself and your fans that you deserve their adoration, their support, and yes, their money. In this case the Fans should come before the Money and you are better off if you remember that is a fence you need to mend. There is no doubt that you are an All-Star. There is no doubt that you are one of the most “potentially best skilled” power forwards of the game. I know you have a charity and I know that you support your family. The Fans vote on the All-Stars, the fans supported you in the Olympics and spent time out of their vacation-filled summer to watch you and the team play. I feel that you can take this team where it needs to go, if you throw away whatever you took to make a one way trip down Alice's rabbit hole. You want better money? The money has to come from the fans, much like the egg has to come from the chicken. We buy the seats in the house that Larry built, to watch you sit in your suits and give vague details about how your recovery is going after months of rehab with no goal date. That money goes to the franchise that has Your contract.
In Utah, the Fans come before the Money. Jeff Hornacek has never forgotten that and even after his playing days he supports the team and the fans on announcing and interviewing long after he was getting “The Money”. Dwill finally got on Twitter (Yea CJ you did that didn't you?) and is happily filling in fans on things hes doing for charity, home and family, and giving us a sense of belonging. Korver's dedication and charity amazes me and he is always there to not only answer fans, sign autographs and do a fund raiser, but he also took the time to have an interview with someone on Jazzbots!
We are your fans, like it or not. We watch websites about you, write blogs , articles, and even model aspects of our online life after things that you do. Do you think that the players can take more time to reply, post, or let themselves be interviewed for 10 minutes so we can get a little more? In a tough economy the fans come before the money, but without attention, the money will come before the fans.
