9 reasons why Jazz fans shouldn't hit the panic button yet

It’s not even Thanksgiving Day yet, and the Jazz already have six marks in the “L” column – including a gut-wrenching last-second loss to the visiting Chicago Bulls, who got some buzzer-beating heroics from a guard who so happens to wear a 2 and a 3 on his jersey.
Kind of a bummer for the Jazz, right?
Nah. As my geeky friends used to say: “Merely a flesh wound.”
Think of it this way: At least the Bulls didn’t smoke cigars and pop champagne corks after Larry Hughes – the heartbreaker who wears No. 32 – nailed that clutch jumper over a lunging Jazz defender (C.J. Miles, not Bryon Russell) on Monday night.
Count that as one positive thing Jazz fans can hold on to now that hopes of a 75-win season are seemingly in peril.
Because I’m in a good mood – the thought of heaping amounts of food waiting for me at my in-laws Thursday makes my mouth and stomach smile – I’ve cooked up one good reason per win so far for why Jazz fans can stay sorta, kinda half-glass-full types.
Here are my Nine Reasons Why Jazz Fans Shouldn’t Start Wondering How Many Ping-Pong Balls Utah Will Get In Next Year’s Lottery Draft Or Why You Should Remain Positive (listed mostly in chronological order in which I wrote them):
1. We’re only 18.29 percent through the regular season, which, according to my math, isn’t even one-fifth. So, let the Knicks, Bobcats, Wizards and Bulls celebrate. Wahoo! Yay, you! Remember, Monday wasn’t Game 6 of the NBA Finals, just Game 15 of what Brevin Knight called “a marathon” season.
In other words, if you think you feel like puking now, wait until you’ve ran another 20 or so miles, then you’ll really feel like blowing ch… uh, well, oh yeah, this is a positive piece. Just keep on keeping on – racing and rooting, and watch out for that wall. Wouldn’t want to get hurt running into it.
2. Monday’s loss only proved the Jazz’s junior varsity squad isn’t infallible at home, even against weak opponents. Plus, it was only Utah’s second regular-season loss at the ESA in all of 2008. They went from a March 20 loss to the Lakers clear until Nov. 24 without tasting defeat in regular-season play. That’s more than eight months, and nobody even came close to beating them from June through September. Positive vibes, people, grasp ‘em.
3. Despite a few rough spots and six different starting lineups, the Jazz are still on pace to win 49.2 games. (Truth be told, both Donovan McNabb and I are trying to figure out how they’ll get the .2, but we’ve been told it can be done.)
4. Sure, the Lakers are well on their way to an 81-1 season, but it’s not like the rest of the Western Conference powers are leaving the Jazz in their tail-pipe smoke.
Denver has been red hot of late and only holds a half-game edge in the Northwest over Utah. Houston and Phoenix have the best records behind 12-1 L.A., but they each only have one less loss than the Jazz.
The fiercest race out West right now is between the 2-12 Clippers and 1-14 Thunder for the coveted prize next June (top draft pick, not NBA title). This means, of course, the Jazz had better start losing a whole lot more if they hope to improve their lottery chances next summer.
5. Andrei Kirilenko has clearly embraced getting benched – or something like that. Though he’s averaging just under a minute less than last season (30.1 mpg), AK’s scoring is up by two points (13.0 ppg) despite a slight decline in his shooting accuracy and his rebounding is up by 1.6 boards an outing (6.3 rpg).
So, when do polls open for the NBA’s Sixth мужчина of the Year voting?
6. Some young, really young, guys have played fairly well at times this season. Just 21 years old, C.J. Miles seems to be getting more comfortable as a starter, while 19-year-old Kosta Koufos might set records for saying how blessed he is and for being on the receiving end of Jerry Sloan compliments due to his hard work and solid outings (not counting ones against Tim Duncan).
Heck, even 22-year-old Kyrylo Fesenko is leading the team in shooting – he’s yet to miss a shot this season (only bitter people will point out that he’s just 2-for-2) – and would tally 11.8 points, 18.1 rebounds, 6.1 blocks and 11.8 personal fouls per game if you stretch out the 5.3 minutes he’s averaged in three games over 48 minutes keeping his current pace.
7. The Jazz have a one-game road winning streak.
8. The sooner they can find the witch doctor who keeps poking the Jazz voodoo doll, the better. The Jazz haven’t just been the walking wounded – they’re the walking-with-a-limp-and-wounded.
They’re apparently contagious, too. Bear was sporting an ankle boot Monday and Jocelyn’s Dancer Diary at utahjazz.com revealed that three Jazz Dancers are out with injuries!!! Not only is Lindsey hurt, but Heidi and Brook need SURGERY!
To add insult to their injuries – uh, in a figurative way, of course, get well soon dancers and Bear! – anyway, Jazz players have missed a total of 53 games due to injuries, illnesses, family illnesses, ailing visas and, no doubt, vexes.
That’s 53 games! And they’ve only played 15 so far!
That’s as inconceivable as trying to win a land war in Asia, right Fezzik, er, Fes?
To think that even with all the sprains and strains the Jazz have only lost nine games – especially considering Deron Williams has missed 13 with his ankle woes – has to give fans some hope for a healthier and happier future.
Just imagine how good the varsity team – which by the end of Monday’s game was down six guys: D-Will, Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, Matt Harpring, Jarron Collins and Brevin Knight – will be when it gets all of its players back.
Think happy – and healthy – thoughts, Jazz fans. Plus, look at how much experience the bench guys are getting. And how fun is it to see your favorite Jazz players wearing their fancy belt buckles (Williams) or their yacht club/private school outfits (Korver)?
9. You don’t have to pay the Jazz’s medical bills.
9a. Thanksgiving – and that feast at my in-laws, followed by football and approximately zero post-pigging-out cleaning to do at my house – is just a day away.