The one about a Russian, a Turk and an American in London

LONDON – Made it to Cat and Canary.
Server wanted to know when Carlos Boozer was going to be traded.
Just kidding!
Actually watched second half of big Manchester United 2-2 tie with Sunderland on a TV there Saturday night, which is part of what the London experience is all about.
Forget the NBA. This places oozes football. And we’re not talking NFL.
Did you hear the one about a Russian, a Turk and an American walking into a soccer game in London?
To promote their preseason game Tuesday night against Chicago at The O2 Arena in London here, Jazz teammates Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur joined Derrick Rose of the Bulls took the pitch of Stamford Bridge stadium at halftime of Chelsea’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Liverpool earlier today.
Jazz point guard Deron Williams and shooting guard Kyle Korver tagged along too, as did Kirilenko’s wife Masha and Williams’ wife Amy.
Talk about a tough ticket: young Jazz bigs Kyrylo Fesenko and Kosta Koufos wanted to go, but even the clout of international Olympians Kirilenko, Okur and Williams couldn’t carry them in for free.
Concierge said game was sold out, and if one could be had a ticket would cost 350 pounds.
That’s more than $550, and that’s insane.
Fear not, accounting: Didn’t go, needless to say.
Concierge, by the way, thought Boozer had been traded already to the Bulls, who are staying at the same London Marriott hotel as the Jazz, and didn’t realize he still was with Utah.
Okay, just kidding about that too.
But the Bulls really are at the same hotel, which would have been something back in the Jordan/Stockton-and-Malone Finals days, huh?
As for the Man U game, wow that Wayne Rooney is a bulldog. Sort of short for the NBA at 5-foot-10, and has a lousy long-distance jumper to boot, but just imagine Matt Harpring wearing cleats and dribbling with his feet. Jerry Sloan would just love the guy, don’t you think?

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