While generally not being a fan of pastel colors outside of the Easter season, I think it’s safe to say we all felt our Jazz pride burst through the dam when we saw the sea of powder blue fill the seats of Energy Solutions Arena and “welcome” opposing clubs during last season’s playoffs. Baby blue is about as threatening as Greg Oden on crutches, but there is no doubt it helped us win ball games. Eight playoff home games; seven wins. Nine away games; seven losses. We were the Jekyll ‘n Hyde of the post-season. I’m not tryin’ to criticize the Jazz. Solid playoff road victories are the m.o. of a seasoned NBA squad, and will come with time. Until that time comes, however, I’m callin’ on every self-proclaimed Jazz fan to step up and help make our arena as nasty for opposing teams as the nuclear waste that inspired its name.

Still having doubts?

Take a look around the league. Compare ticket prices to any team that lays claim to an all-star (let alone 2… maybe 4). Still feeling ripped off? Pull up ticket prices for teams that have recently battled in the conference finals. Are Jazz tickets more expensive than those found in Phoenix? San Antonio? Dallas? Miami? Detroit? Cleveland? It’s time we recognize that Salt Lake City is home to one of the best teams, and can be seen for one of the lowest prices. So, now that ya’ll are clamoring for season tickets, sit back and take a sedative. Season tickets are long gone.

However….

Single game tickets for the Jazz go on sale, conveniently, October 1^st. So before you spend September’s paycheck on Halloween candy (that you know won’t last til Halloween), or renewing your eHarmony subscription, or perhaps even tuition/rent, buy yourself a blue t-shirt (or some cheap blue spray paint) and pick up a few tickets to the hottest show in town. If nothing else, you’ll be considered festive when Easter rolls around.

Here are a few personal suggestions for the first few months of the season:

November 3^rd v. Golden State - After Baron Davis stamped Kirilenko in Game 3 a season ago, AK might actually motivate himself enough to exact some revenge. November 23^rd v. New Orleans - Playing opposite CP3 always brings out a beast that D.will himself can’t control. November 30^th v. Los Angeles (Lakers) Crowd will be demanding medical receipts from a hospital to prove the purity of Fish’s motives for bailing after one year. December 15^th v. Seattle - Time to show Kevin Durant that all Utah crowds are not as cozy as the friendly confines of SLCC during the Rocky Mountain Revue. December 29^th v. Boston - Garnett, Allen, and Pierce will all want to be traded again in June. See them lace ‘em up together while we can.

What games did I miss? What tickets do YOU have, and what plans do you have in mind to make SLC the most dreaded road game in the NBA?