Welcome to the OC

Posted by Jeffrey Wank on November 10, 2008

Probably the only place that is whiter than Salt Lake City is Orange County, so it is fitting that the Jazz kicked-off the preseason in the OC.  After a nearly 2-hour, traffic-filled drive from LA to Anaheim, I walked into the Honda Center wearing my Jazz shooting shirt, and I got a look from an usher, who said, “I haven’t seen too many people wearing that tonight.”  I just grinned and continued looking for the men’s room.

Truth is, I like that grin.  During the course of a game, whether I am at Staples watching the Jazz v. Clippers/Lakers, on the couch with friends watching the Jazz v. anyone, or across the street from the Happiest Place on Earth for an inconsequential preseason match-up, I give that grin a hundred times a game.  I wouldn’t and couldn’t be an out-of-state Jazz fan if I didn’t master that grin.

The grin serves numeorus purposes.  It says, your taunts don’t bother me.  It says, this should be a good game.  It says, we’ll see who wins.  It says, if Malone and Stockton were so terrible, why will they both be in the Hall-of-Fame within the next 2 years?  It says, why are you yelling to me that the Jazz Suck, I am just a fan, have no control over the team or the outcome,  and am not the one running up and down the court for seven-figures a season.  It says, all that, more, and then some.

Half the fun of being a Jazz fan is that they are the most disliked team in the NBA.  The rest of the league is a circle and the Jazz are the square peg that doesn’t quite fit in the hole.  The Lakers and Celtics have a restored rivalry.  Red Sox and Yankees fans can’t stand each other.  This team and that team always brawl in hockey (I don’t really know hockey or the teams).  The Jazz seem to have a rivalry with every team, even ones that play in the NFL, and no one seems to like Jazz fans.  If you are a fan of the Nuggets, you may not like the Blazers or Clippers, but for some reason you have to hate the Jazz.

I don’t believe in hate.  I think it is an overused word that lost its meaning sometime between the presidential terms of Washington and Lincoln.  I am not sure what emotion the anti-Jazz facet are putting out there into the universe, but I like it.  I like it like I like a hot shower, a porterhouse steak, and the smell of shampoo.  So as this season continues, embrace the boos, embrace the opposing fans’ ignorance, embrace being a Jazz fan, embrace and master the grin.

By the way, the Jazz won that preseason game 99-90, and it is always nice to beat the Lakers.  The grin got even bigger, and it only took 45 minutes to get home.  The grin was huge.

6 Comments

Remington on November 10, 2008 said:

I would love to go out-of-state and rock some jazz attire at a road game. That would be epic.

Btw, not relating to your post at all.. What is up with the wack-new-design? Way way to bright and white.

~R

Derrick Daye on November 10, 2008 said:

Rem,

Thanks for the input – it’s helpful. Truth is, Obama isn’t the only one interested in change. We needed to spruce things up around here. Make sure you register and upload an avatar (your pic) in the forum. It will display in all of your comments and forum contributions.

Go Jazz!

Derrick

Jay Ray on November 10, 2008 said:

YO R,

I am diggin on the new look. shiny and bright. it helps my lcd monitor light up my room saving me on lighting costs.

looking great guys!
oh and the blog entry was fab-oo too.
jc

Amir on November 10, 2008 said:

can any body tell me where is greg ostertag former jazz player is he retired?

Johnathan Kendrick on November 10, 2008 said:

Amir,

Tag did retire after his last year with the Jazz. I believe he is still in Phoenix enjoying all the money he stole from the Jazz over all the years.

OK OK – he didn’t steal all of it. Just lots of it.

ErnMon on November 11, 2008 said:

Hello again everyone it is the new me. I am changing this year to a nice quiet fan.
Hope the Jazz get rolling, always takes a while giving to a different starting lineup, Deron Williams out, Harpring out Collins out then when Deron gets back it will be more adjustments. Hoping for a good and exciting season.
ErnMon

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