Tonight I’m Gonna Party Like It’s 1995

Posted by Johnathan Kendrick on February 25, 2009

“I was dreamin’ when I wrote this, forgive me if it goes astray.”

If you are young you might not recognize that line. I am not saying I am old though.  I don’t feel old. I still move around pretty well but maybe that’s because I actually wear pants that fit and tie my shoe laces. I realize those simple things along with basic arithmetic can be used to prove the gap between myself and the younger hipper generation. Is hip still the right word? Sure I can’t touch the rim anymore and there are a few other advantages I miss out on but it’s not all bad. There are some advantages to getting a bit older. For instance besides barely knowing they exist, I know nothing about the Jonas Brothers, and I don’t lose any sleep because I didn’t read an article about their social life. Also I recently saw that sweater vests are coming back into style and thanks to a rebellious anti-collar streak I had in the mid 1990’s – I still own a small collection that will be begging to be pressed back into action. As soon as it’s socially acceptable of course, I would hate to jump the gun on this one.

Another advantage of being a bit older is that I remember the mid 90’s rather well. A lot of important stuff happened back in the 90’s like the Gulf War, the invention of the DVD, the OJ Simpson trial, and the musician known as Prince changing his name to a symbol (quotes in italics are from ‘Prince’ – not the symbol).  Besides spending a few years out of the country and buying sweater vests (sometimes both at the same time) I spent a lot of time following the NBA in the 90’s. The ’95 campaign was a great year for the Jazz… until the playoffs began, but their first round loss to the Rockets gives me real hope for this year’s team.

“I was dreamin’ when I wrote this, so sue me if I go too fast.”

You see that even though the Rockets were considered preseason favorites to win the championship, for various reasons they spent most of the season struggling, finishing the regular season campaign with only 48 wins, which was good for the 10th best record in the league and the 6th seed in a strong Western Conference. They then went on to beat the 3rd seeded Jazz in the first round, The 2nd seeded Suns in the second round, the top seed Spurs in the Conference Finals and the Eastern Conference Champ Orlando Magic in the NBA Finals. This marked the first (and only) time a team has gone on the road in every series and prevailed, and they did it against the 4 teams with the best records that year, all of whom had finished at least 9 games ahead of the Rockets.

“All we wanted was a chance,” said Rocket assistant coach Carroll Dawson. “We thought that if we could just get into the playoffs, we could get better with every series,” and they did. This accomplishment should give hope to teams like this year’s Utah Jazz. They will probably finish the season somewhere in the neighborhood of 48 wins. There is a good chance they won’t have home court advantage for any series. But come playoff time they should also be starting to gel as a complete team for the first time this season, and over every series, they will have a chance to get better. 

“Tonight I’m gonna party like it’s” 1995.

5 Comments

Boondock Saint on February 25, 2009 said:

Great blog John and no…..hip isn’t the right word anymore. However, even at 25 yrs young I’m starting to lack the appropriate vocabulary to be fly and/or dope. I’m wondering if those are out of date yet?!

Annie Whittaker on February 25, 2009 said:

Very interesting possibilities Captain. Here’s a hint that I learned the hard way before I went to the formal dinner with KK. Make sure to try on those “gently used” clothes you’ve been saving in your closet before you plan on wearing them. I didn’t and just grabbed them out of the closet and went to work. Boy was I surprised (and depressed) when it was time to change and get out the door (running late as usual).

J R Stewart on February 26, 2009 said:

The best and toughest series of that entire championship run was the 1st round with the Jazz.

That was the year the Jazz shoulda’ coulda’ won the championship.

If they would have just guarded Mario in the corner, to prevent that three, they coulda’ been a champion! (His Airnesses first pre-retirement year off)

Jazzaholic

Annie Whittaker on February 27, 2009 said:

JK I’ve got a certain Prince song in my head everytime I think of or hear or see anything Jazz related. Actually, its all night and day long since you posted this. Good thing I don’t hate the song…yet.

Levi on February 28, 2009 said:

Go Jazz!

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