Odds Vaporize in the ESA

Posted by Annie Whittaker on April 23, 2009

Rudy, Rocky, David (the guy with the multi-colored coat), The Bears (Bad News), Jack (of the Beanstalk–you know–it’s seeds were traded for Pau Gasol), The Cutters (look it up), David Copperfield, Lloyd Christmas, Luke Skywalker, Forrest Gump, William Wallace (with a little help from Robert the Bruce), James J. Braddock.

Do you know what I’m getting at? Whether fictional or real, the preceding characters represent the ability of the underdog to overcome insurmountable odds in order to achieve their own form of greatness. Be it because of poverty, stupidity, small beginnings, political oppression or just plain bad luck, we can all think of examples of someone who wasn’t supposed to be able to make it, but who believed in themselves enough to prove that nothing is impossible.

For the last three weeks, I don’t know that our Jazz believed it was possible. Actually, I think that they lost sight of their goal, their dream. I think they quit believing in what they already knew they could accomplish. They had proved to themselves early in the season that they could defeat adversity and rise to the challenge, but distractions got in the way. After watching game two of the playoff series with the Lakers, I think that I may have seen an inkling of the spirit and passion that enabled the Jazz to conquer despite all of the injuries early in the season.

A spark, an inkling of a flame is all that is required to start a bonfire. I think the Jazz have finally got back that spark. Now they need kindling. The collective belief of all the fans in Utah is enough figurative fire to set the ESA ablaze on Thursday night, enough to ignite our Jazz into winning the next four games.

Set aside your uncertainty, your tentative “well I’d love for them to win, but it’s the Lakers.” Ignore the naysayers and false prophets on the sports talk-radio. Now is the time for belief in the goal. We’ve all rationalized ourselves out of the best things that could of happened to us in our lives. We all know the regret that comes with doing that. Now is the time to believe, no yeah buts, no I wishes, no if onlys. Just knowing that it can and will be done. All it takes is one mind, one thought in unison. We won’t give our team the chance not to believe in themselves tonight. The belief will be contagious. The Lakers will believe in the Jazz after tonight. It’s up to us, my fellow fans. We know what can be done. Now, let’s “make it so.”

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19 Comments

Tennor on April 23, 2009 said:

I think you mean “Joseph,” the guy with the multi-colored coat.

Or more likely, you mean David, the kid who fought Thurl Bailey, errr, i mean…Goliath. (See http://www.likenthescriptures.com/content/features.php?action=view_feature&feature_id=7 to see Thurl as Goliath)

But anyway, THE JAZZ CAN DO IT!

Boondock Saint on April 23, 2009 said:

Annie- great great blog! The realist in me has taken a back seat this last week and given way to the cheerleader inside. I’m energized by all the positive blogs and the positives I’ve seen in the first 2 games. Thanks for spreading the enthusiasm despite the odds.

p.s. I hope that “make it so” was a throw back to Star Trek TNG. Patrick Stewart rocks!

Annie Whittaker on April 23, 2009 said:

Tennor-thank you, I don’t know how I could ever mix up people from the Bible, glad you got the point of the post though (Joseph is from the Bible right?) I guess I was trying to tie it in with the Jazz, and Thurl got mixed up in my brain.

BDSaint-You are correct number one. Can’t you just hear Captain J-L P saying it?

Boondock Saint on April 23, 2009 said:

I totally heard it when I read the blog…I just had to make sure we were on the same page.

montgump on April 23, 2009 said:

When is Okur back?

justonechampionship on April 23, 2009 said:

The Utah Jazz, where, “upset” happens!

JayD on April 23, 2009 said:

Annie , I loved this post . It was cool how you brought home about all the underdogs , whether fiction or real .
I believe that the Jazz can win this game . They are playing better right now .
Lets go Jazz , I still beleive .

jessielou on April 23, 2009 said:

I had faith in them before but after tonight my confidence has soared! WAHOO!!! GO JAZZ!!!

Trent on April 23, 2009 said:

Close one tonight, but a win is a win! In Game 4 the Jazz need to blow out the Lakers in order to gain momentum and to give them a chance!

GO JAZZ!

montgump on April 23, 2009 said:

When is Okur back?

jessielou on April 23, 2009 said:

so I just want to take a moment to say that we have the best fans in the NBA! The ESA was rockin’ the whole night!

Mesa-Ak47 on April 24, 2009 said:

They said Okur might be out game 4 too so we don’t know when he is back yet.
Tonight’s win felt good!!!!!
I have not felt this good in months !!!

Kait on April 24, 2009 said:

I was there last night, and it was a really charged atmosphere. It was my first playoff game, and I gotta say, it was something else! I think we can, I think we can. I wish I could be there for the next game to scream my guts out, (I was really horse after the game) but please, those that are going, yell nice and loud for me. We are the X factor!

JazzManSLC on April 24, 2009 said:

GREAT win last night! I firmly believe the Jazz will tie this series up going back to LA-LA land.

Listening to some of the game last night, I found myself chuckling at one of the great Hot Rod-isms.

Anyone ever notice that when Hots says Sasha Vujacic’s name it sounds like:

‘Vuja-schit’?

I always think it’s hilarious when I hear it…

GO JAZZ!!! TIE THIS UP!!!!

montgump on April 24, 2009 said:

Thank you Mesa AK-47

Boondock Saint on April 24, 2009 said:

@JazzManSLC Always one of my favorite things when Hot Rod says ‘Vuja-schit’

J R Stewart on April 24, 2009 said:

If you say Vuja-schit 3 times you end up in that weird little mock up town of Beetlejuice fame.

(If you google ‘Beetlejuice’, you can see the resemblance)

Jazzaholic

Linda McFarland on April 24, 2009 said:

I have proof that doing a good thing leads to even better things, Or as my favorite saying goes, “what goes around, comes around”. I had my ticket for the game but since my son had been in Guatemala and had missed all the games, I gave him my ticket. I was happy to do it but as time got closer I was feeling awful that I couldn’t be there. Just in time, the fellow with the seats next to ours called and ask if I was interested in buying his 2 tickets since they couldn’t go.. I told him I would love to but I just couldn’t afford it. He said it was evident that he wasn’t going to get his money out of them so if I wanted I could have them for $38 dollars. I said YES! I called and invited our grandson and the 4 of us enjoyed one of t he best games I have ever seen! I don’t tell this to brag about getting to go, I tell it because it shows that being kind pays off.. It was wonderful to see the original Jazz playing and I am still so very very proud of them Great Blog Annie

JayD on April 25, 2009 said:

Wow , Linda that is cool . I believe in that too . It never fails that someting good comes out of doing good to others . Maybe not all like in the way it happen to you , but it does come back to you .
I am jealous that you were given that chance to go and WOW for that price is even better . But I am also happy for you that it all worked out .
Jay

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