Did you catch the Presidential Debate on Wednesday night?  It’s a fair question. Chances are if you are reading this site – you are a Jazz fan.  Probably a big Jazz fan.  Of course the Jazz did play Wednesday night as well.   At least they were scheduled too. They did show up.  Physically. But they got smoked. They were completely taken apart.   It was an old fashion Western duel.  The Jazz took ten paces, turned around and dropped the revolver, somehow managing to shoot themselves in the foot in the process.  A lot of people who are Jazz fans had to change the channel.  It’s understandable.  Of course I am sure some Jazz fans also watched the whole thing. Those are the Jazz fans who are also masochists, or the Jazz fans who would consider themselves “eternal optimists” who watched and hoped for a comeback.   Maybe not all the optimists though, sometimes you just have to look away.

‘Rock It’ (Melissa Majchrzak - NBAE/Getty Images)

Perhaps some good did come out of Wednesday night’s game.  Again I use the term “game” lightly – it was a massacre.  If the Jazz had won, they would be playing San Antonio in the first round of the Playoffs. Shwoooo.  Even with “Home Court Advantage” you have to think the Jazz dodged a bullet on that one.   Let’s face it the Jazz just can’t beat the Spurs.  Sure they can pick up a game at home against them here and there, but when the chips are down and everything matters – the Jazz frankly look scared, and fall apart.  It’s been 21 games since Utah has won in San Antonio. There is an obvious and serious mental block.  Even a bad team will beat a good team now and then – just look at the Minnesota box scores.  It’s incredible that the Jazz can’t get over the hump in San Antonio.  You would think as Parker, Ginobili, and Duncan slow down the Jazz might be able to beat them but let’s be honest about last night – the Jazz could not handle Bonner, Oberto, or Udoka.  They probably would have had a hard time against Coyote, the Spurs mascot. 

As bad as it was Wednesday night – now is not the time to jump ship.  The Jazz play the Rockets in round one of the playoffs.  Not bad, not bad at all.  This is a team the Jazz can beat and a series they can win.  If there are any head games in this match up they work in the Jazz favor. I would be surprised if this series goes 7 games.  The Jazz should advance to the second round.  From there, who knows, anyone can guess where the push will either end or fade to legend.  Second round… possibly.  Western Conference Finals…maybe.  Dare we dream further? 

For now - It’s time to move on.  As bad as you might have wanted that win to close off the regular season.  Get over it, cry if you need to, lament if you will feel better, let it all out.  The regular season is over.  The Playoffs begin Saturday.  For now, that is all that matters.