Ask and ye shall receive, Jazz fans
Jazz fans on Twitter had questions, and I had answers (or at least I made up answers, but don’t tell them that). Seeing as 140 characters were not nearly enough for my ramblings, here is the first-ever TQ&A (Tweeted Questions Ampersand Answers) from my alter-ego, DJJazzyJody:
@ColbySpradlin: You should tell KOC to address the media about purposely trying to stir up drama when questioning players, like Big Al today. It’s not cool when reporters keep trying to purposely stir the (pot) to create drama and make players mad. … Seriously, the media needs to know doing this just hurts the team as a whole.
DJJazzyJody: I think Kevin O’Connor touched on this subject nicely today. He said we all have jobs to do — players, management, reporters — and that we should all be professional about it. Sometimes reporters ask questions that make people squirm and feel uncomfortable or even angry, and those questions should be and need to be asked.
For example, Al Jefferson made it clear after Saturday night that he didn’t want to talk about his technicals or ejection because he didn’t want to say anything that could get him into trouble. I felt obligated to ask a follow-up question, though, because I thought fans should hear from him whether or not he regretted his actions of mockingly clapping in a ref’s face. (The clip of Big Al telling me he just said he didn’t want to talk about that, man, apparently has been played over and over on TV and radio.)
But that question got Al thinking. A few minutes later – after the short interview – he jokingly said he only regretted how his grandma heard him cuss on TV (which I included in Sunday’s story). Two days later, he repeated that to other reporters. It was a funny line, a great quote.
I am a firm believer that players and coaches owe it to fans to speak to the media (not because we’re special, but we are the intermediary source for non-tweeting types).
But you’re absolutely right. If a media member is simply trying to rattle the birdcage to get a response, then it’s wrong. I try not to do that (where’s my halo!?), but if other reporters do then that’s between them and the people they interview.
@LostTacoVendor: What’s your favorite song with the words “Streets” and “Philadelphia” in the title?
DJJazzyJody: “Our House in the Middle of the Streets of Philadelphia.” It was a collaboration between Bruce Springsteen and Madness.
@kidzevo: Who goes? Millsap or Jefferson?
DJJazzyJody: Keeping with the recent theme, let me phrase this in the form of a song: “Should Millsap stay or should Al go?” OK, maybe not.
That will be an intriguing storyline to follow, but I’m not convinced the Jazz have to get rid of one or the other. They won a lot of games together at the beginning of this season. Sure, they have some work to do – rebounding, defense, smoother execution on offense – but both are proven talents in there.
But I’m sure 29 teams would take Millsap and his bargain of a contract ($14 million over the next two years) in a heartbeat if the Jazz offered him up. Al’s hefty paycheck ($29 million) would be harder to swap.
The Jazz might be wise to continue to let Millsap and Jefferson mentor Derrick Favors, bringing him off the bench next year. Having Millsap come in as a sixth man again is another idea, although he smiled and said “Can I say, ‘No comment?’” when I asked him about that a couple of weeks ago.
@Clintonite33: Any thoughts on Kyle Weaver?
DJJazzyJody: He’s a dream (sorry, bad old song joke). He’s great, great, great (sorry, bad Weber State joke). It’s obvious the Jazz want to evaluate him over the next 10 days. The intriguing part is that he was known for being a defensive player at Washington State and O’Connor likes that his 3-point shot has improved. Heaven knows the Jazz can use more solid defenders with shooting range, so we’ll have to see if that transfers over to the NBA. With all of the injuries, he’ll likely get a pretty good chance to prove his worth.
Anybody else find it intriguing that the Jazz have had two call-ups this year, and neither of them are from their affiliate, the Utah Flash?
@misterlarsen: Would you rather spend a weekend stuck in Buffalo or watch the Jazz get embarrassed this Friday night on ESPN?
DJJazzyJody: What do you mean? The Jazz beat the Lakers – even rallied down from a huge hole – the last time the teams squared off in SLC. Utah should be favored then, right?
As for Buffalo, well, there’s a good reason why my fantasy baseball team is named the Buffalo Wings – but it isn’t because of the city. After spending 50-plus hours there (because of passport/UPS problems) while the Jazz were in Toronto a few weeks ago, I can’t say that I am in a hurry to return.
But my stomach is my boss, so my opinion could be swayed if you throw in a free trip to the Anchor Bar, where buffalo wings were invented and are still mighty tasty.
P.S. For a while there, Coach Corbin was calling me “Buffalo” to tease me about my extended “vacation” in upstate New York.
@davidjsmith1232: What do you think happens w/AK this offseason? If he returns, how much $$$?
DJJazzyJody: To answer the first question: Hopefully, he gets a haircut. Seriously, though, I think there will be quite a few teams lining up for Kirilenko. When he plays like AK-47, as Jefferson would say, he is a dangerous and unique weapon. Being injury-prone will hurt his marketability, so I don’t see him getting more than $7 or $8 million a year. And, honestly, I definitely could see him re-signing with the Jazz after testing the market. He does consider Salt Lake his second home.
@ColbySpradlin: Kyle Weaver technically pays as a 2 year vet, do u think the Jazz r looking at him as potential long term and not a “filler?”
DJJazzyJody: O’Connor said he is both – an injury replacement and somebody they want to give a good look at in the next week and a half. I’d have to see him play in the NBA – for the Jazz; my memory of him with OKC is fuzzy at best, non-existent at worst.
@Da_Mace: Why don’t the Utah Jazz allow their players to wear head bands?
DJJazzyJody: They like players to show off their natural hairlines.