10 Unforgettable Jazz Games

Posted by Danny Hansen on October 13, 2009

What helps make the NBA great is a memorable game.  These are the games that you remember for years and sometimes decades.  Whenever an elite team makes its way to Energy Solutions Arena, we all hope for a classic Jazz win.  There have been many classic games in Jazz history.  Here are the ten that came to my mind. (I am only 27 years old. My classic games are more recent.)

MJ’s Ejection in 3OT (February 3, 1992, Jazz 126, Bulls 123 (3OT)) – As a young Jazz fan, the Bulls were the Evil Empire and the Jazz were the good guys.  This game showed why.  With the game tied at 123-123, Jeff Malone had a fast break layup with the clocking ticking away.  As he went for his layup, he was fouled by Michael Jordan with 0.5 seconds left.  Jordan was so upset about the call that he bumped referee Tommie Wood in complaint and was quickly thrown out. Jeff Malone hit 3 free throws and the Jazz won.  The next day at my elementary school rumors ran rampant that Jordan was asking the referee, “Do you know who I am?”  Probably not a true rumor, but as a kid it only made me hate the Bulls even more.

Stock for 3 (May 29, 1997, Jazz 103, Houston 100) – John Stockton sends the Utah Jazz to the NBA Finals.  That shot was huge, but let us not forget that the Jazz were trailing 98-91 with only a couple of minutes left in this game.  Stockton showed his ability to take over a game and capped it off with that shot over Sir Charles.  That shot triggered partying across the Wasatch Front. We headed to the airport to welcome the team home. That was something we will never forget.

Stockton Fires Down to Malone (June 8, 1997, Jazz 78, Bulls 73) – Another great comeback fueled by Stockton.  He hit a three, made a critical steal on Michael Jordan, and made one of the greatest passes in Jazz history.  Under a minute to go, and the Jazz trailing by one, Stockton rebounded a Jordan miss and immediately fired a full-court pass to Malone for an easy layup. That play gave the Jazz a lead they would never lose.

A Tip from AK47 (March 2, 2003, Jazz 91, Nets 90) – The Nets were the beasts of the East. This game was a back and forth battle all the way down the stretch. Only one of the most improbable buzzer beaters would end this game. With the Jazz trailing 90-89, Stockton used the game’s final seconds to drive towards the baseline and put up a contested jumper. Stockton’s shot was partially blocked and fell a few feet short of the basket.  Just then, a springy Russian leaped up and gave the ball a spectacular tap towards the basket.  The ball found its way home, and the Jazz snuck out of New Jersey with a big road win.

A New Era (October 29, 2003, Jazz 99, Portland 92) – For the first time in about 18 years, the Jazz took the floor without Stockton and Malone. Nobody knew what to expect.  This was a team full of unknowns that many had predicted to finish last in the West.  One knucklehead even predicted that the Jazz would only win 8 games.  Behind the solid play of Andrei Kirilenko, Matt Harpring, Carlos Arroyo, and Raja Bell, the Jazz showed that they weren’t going to rollover without Stockton and Malone.  A new era had begun. By the way, the Jazz won their 8^th game that year in the first month of the season.

The Promised One (November 2, 2005, Jazz 93, Mavs 82) – After an injury-plagued season, the Jazz and their fans needed some hope. They got it in the form of #3 draft pick, Deron Williams. In his first game D-Will went for 18 points and 3 assists, including a buzzer beating ¾ court shot to close out a quarter. This was the beginning of a special time in Jazz history.

T-Mac Left Behind (May 5, 2007, Jazz 103, Rockets 99) – The young Jazz had pushed the favored Rockets to a 7^th game in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs.  This game was so big that I had to ask my wife permission to watch it while we were on our honeymoon.  She granted permission, and I am still hearing about it to this day. But it was totally worth it. The Jazz overcame all odds to win that Game 7 on the road and left Tracy McGrady crying in the 1^st Round, again.

D-Will Coast-to-Coast (November 7, 2007, Jazz 103, Cavs 101) – The Jazz had the lead for most of this game, but you know King James wasn’t going to leave quietly.  With seconds left, Lebron hit an almost impossible three over Ronnie Brewer to tie the game.  One problem. He left Deron Williams too much time. Without calling a timeout, Deron took the ball coast-to-coast and scored the game winning basket.

Beat LA (May 11, 2008, Jazz 123, Lakers 115 (OT)) – From start to finish, one of the most exciting games in Jazz history. This game had it all. There were high-flying alley-oops, crucial blocks, timely 3-pointers, momentous dunks, and even Zac Efron sitting courtside.  The Jazz were up most the game, but the Lakers had clawed back to force overtime. In the extra period, the Jazz made all the big plays.  Kirilenko had some big blocks on Kobe and also had a dunk and foul that put the game away.

Memo’s Shimmy (February 11, 2009, Jazz 113, Lakers 109) – This game was classic because of one play. Earlier in the game Kobe was making threes and giving his shoulder shimmy.  With the game on the line, Mehmet Okur nailed a three to put the Jazz up for good. As he headed toward the other end of the court, Memo looked up in the crowd and gave his own shoulder shimmy. Simply classic.

4 Comments

Joel on October 14, 2009 said:

I’m ashamed to ask this, but how did Utah get the 3rd pick for Deron? As far as I know Utah never really have a really bad season. Was it luck? Or they got it from another team?

Diana Allen on October 14, 2009 said:

Its so fun to remember all these games. They are top in my Jazz memory also. I love the titles you gave the games too. I had to youtube Memo’s shimmy so many times the day after that game!

David on October 15, 2009 said:

Nice stroll down memory lane Danny! Might I add the game Stock broke the assist record vs. Denver. The team and fans were so amped up that the Jazz jumped ahead by 25-30 points quickly and the rest is history.

The Jazz traded the 6th and 20-somethingth pick that draft to move up to #3 to nab Deron. They had gone 26-56 the year before, by far the worst season in Jerry’s tenure. In retrospect, it was worth it to get a franchise player like D-Will.

Getting closer to the season my friends…

Shannon in Sacramento on October 19, 2009 said:

That second you had, the game where Stockton hit the game winning three against Houston to putting us into the finals, has to be my most memorable game. I was watching with my dad and I swear we both just about went into psychotic fits over seeing the one man show late in the game. Go on NBA.com and watch the end or youtube. The look on Charles Barkley’s face is so priceless.

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