‘Stretch it out’ (NBAE/Getty Images)
Just like the Jazz players, a fan-turned-blogger must use the preseason to stretch the muscles, work out the kinks, and burn away the off-season flab. Watching Utah’s preseason game against Chicago on Friday night gave me a chance to tune up the engine and formulate the following thoughts in anticipation [...]

As the Jazz get set to begin another season, fans prepare to defend their arena’s unofficial title of NBA’s Toughest Venue. Many basketball fans in other cities with whom I have conversed concede that visiting teams have a hard time winning in Salt Lake. Yet they don’t seem to grasp the specific reasons. In trying [...]

I received a letter from Cox Cable in the mail the other day informing me that they would automatically renew my NBA League Pass subscription unless notified otherwise. Why did they even waste the printing and postage cost? Like any long distance relationship, living 2,000 miles from one’s beloved teams requires a special type of [...]

‘A Tender Moment’
I was reminded last weekend why I hate the Lakers so badly. At a buddy’s wedding in California, a mutual friend from a former life introduced me to her boyfriend from Los Angeles. “He’s a basketball fan, just like you,” said Jessica, conjuring images of that Chris Rock act where he [...]

‘1996: Karl and the Sonics’ (Andy Hayt - NBAE/Getty Images)
Recent news that Oklahoma City’s new NBA team will assume the name Thunder made real to me a truth that I’ve been denying for some time now. While the people of that sprawling Midwestern town will undoubtedly cherish their first major, league-level professional franchise, the [...]

‘Gustav Aftermath with Hanna Approaching’ (AP)
I left New Orleans on Friday with an eerie feeling. Bound for Ann Arbor where the Michigan Wolverines awaited my beloved Utes in the Big House, I watched the Crescent City’s skyline fade in my rearview mirror as I sped toward the airport. While the plane lifted off, [...]

For years now, I’ve been convinced that one day a misguided director will create a made-for-TV-life story about Robert Horry and Gary Payton. Based on physical resemblance, Will Smith will play the clutch-shooting, Steve Nash-attacking forward. Meanwhile, Don Cheadle will portray the trash talking former Sonics point guard. In a lesser role, Sam Cassell will, [...]

‘Redeem Team: Olympic Dreams?’ (Associated Press)
Following USA Basketball’s destruction of the Chinese team on Sunday, a reporter asked Dwayne Wade—a former NBA champion—about playing on the world’s biggest stage. Wade gave all the right answers, making the obligatory comment about this experience being unlike anything else. And he’s right, nothing compares to the [...]

‘Lebron: One of the Chosen Few’
I took a road trip into the Mississippi Delta this past week. Nothing but world class destinations when I get behind the wheel, for sure. As I drove, my mind began wandering like the country roads and abandoned train tracks that crisscross the region’s fertile farmland. With [...]

‘Dominique Wilkins for John Who?’ (NBAE/Getty Images)
I wrote a blog a while ago about the best trades and free agent signings in Jazz history. My buddy J-Rod asked, “What about the worst deals?” About time, huh J-Rod? The following list highlights questionable trades that caused aching of heads and scratching of noggins among Jazz faithful. [...]