R E S P E C T

Posted by Johnathan Kendrick on April 28, 2008

‘Props to Sir Charles’ (Associated Press)

Call it love or call it respect as long as you’ve called for it, craved it, or wondered were it was. Come on national media where is our positive recognition? Where is that pat on the back? That’s all we really want. A higher “Power Ranking.” Another game on TNT. The lead story on Sportscenter. Maybe an SI cover, well maybe – isn’t there a cover jinx? You get the point though. We just want a little love. A little respect.

It can be a long season when your team finishes within three games of first place in the West and no one is talking about them. A long season when one of the top point guards in the league, your point guard, is watching the All-Star game from the stands. A long season when the Hall of Fame coach of your team gets forgotten in Coach of the Year consideration… for the 20th time. So if you are a fan – you might call for a little respect. Call no more. It may be playoff time, but it’s here. Take a look…

Remember, even though the Jazz are the 4th seed (thanks to a technicality), they had the 6th best record in the West, 8th in the league. Barring some upsets the Jazz won’t enter one playoff series with home court advantage. Yet the national media all picked the Jazz to cruise through the first round – some picked them to go much farther.

The ‘Inside The NBA’ crew has been very complimentary towards the Jazz. Charles Barkley even went as far to say the Second Round match up of the Jazz vs Lakers should be the Western Conference Finals with the winner going to the NBA Finals. Then Stating he doesn’t think the Lakers can beat the Jazz without Bynum. Praise doesn’t come easy from the Chuckster – remember it took Dwayne Wade half a dozen commercials to get into his Fav5.

Kenny Smith who in addition to running with Barkley on TNT, covers the Playoffs for Yahoo sports. When breaking down the Jazz and Rockets he gave every edge to the Jazz adding that Utah “could be the best team in the West.” Yahoo Sports.

ESPN has an online panel of ten experts to prognosticate and predict. Everyone picked the Jazz to beat Houston. Every one. ESPN.

ESPN resident Mathologist John Hollinger developed a formula to define Player and Team efficiency. He then plugs those numbers into a program that plays the post season out 5000 times. From that he develops his odds and makes his picks. The odds tell him that Utah wins the West only to fall in six games to Boston in the finals. Hollinger.

Computers just love the Jazz. Whatifsports.com, a division of FoxSports.com, has a similar simulation that runs through the postseason 10,000 times. This Calculation has the Jazz winning the NBA Championship. You may also want to note that it has Denver and Phoenix winning in the first round…Whatifsports.com.

Now that the Jazz are getting the love – you can only hope they keep the momentum.

6 Comments

jazzhype.com on April 28, 2008 said:

Barkley is the man! Why does he love us so much? Is it because he is longtime friend of Karl?

Jeffrey on April 28, 2008 said:

I 100% agree completely with this whole post Johnathan. The Jazz never get any props for anything. Williams is ripping it up and destroying his opponants with ease it seems. Okur has stepped up HUGE and has been a key factor, especially with his awesome rebounding this whole series! Boozer has shown he’s an all-star the past 2 years, but has slipped this series. Korver could step up as well to finish the Rockets off, but come one……..THE JAZZ DESERVE SOME NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT!!! Even after making it to the finals and losing to the Bulls, we still didn’t receive any. What does Sloan have to do!?! If the Jazz don’t have a flashy player (Bryant, James, or Paul) we’re not getting an spotlight. That’s complete (censored)!!!!! Where’s the SI cover photo of the starting 5!?! Where’s the MVP recognition for Williams!?! I’m glad you posted this blog with all the great links and information. Hopefully everyone will read it and check it out.

Barkley has been awesome towards the Jazz and has complimented their play a lot lately which is good. Kenny Smith had great comments, but for the ESPN crew to all choose the Jazz rocked!! Let’s hope they keep it up and the numbers are right!! I think we’ll play well against the Lakers, but it’s going to be a hard fought series. I’m definitely nervous about it.

Let’s go Jazz. Kick Lazy-Eyes (censored) and bring on Kobe and the over-rated heavily spot-lighted Lakers!

Jeffrey on April 28, 2008 said:

to answer Jazzhype’s question………YES. Barkley loves Malone and his love for him and Sloan has definitely carried over to the new and improved Jazz team.

rick on April 28, 2008 said:

yes barkley is a karl lover but one thing that gets me everyboby is yelling for deron to be mvp the guy has only been in the league for what 4 years how can you give the guy mvp after that he barely took stockton place he has one good year and everyone yells mvp i love the jazz as much as the next but come on !!

jordan on April 29, 2008 said:

even with barkley and holliger I still think the jazz dont get enough respect.

Pam on April 29, 2008 said:

Hey Rick,
Chris Paul is in the running for MVP and he entered the league the exact same year D. Will did and Deron completely schools him everytime they play. Why was Deron’s name left off the list when he has proven he at least deserves consideration?

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