New Orleans’ new owner-to-be is going to have to find a less jazzy nickname than the one he currently covets. While awarding the Big Easy the 2014 NBA All-Star Game, commissioner David Stern let Saints/Hornets owner Tom Benson know that Utah will not be returning the Jazz to its original home. After announcing he will purchase the Hornets, Benson said changing the city’s team name — hopefully back … Continue reading
My first reaction to hearing the new New Orleans owner’s comments about getting the Jazz name back to its original city was laughter. What a way to play up to the home crowd. (The Jazz just have to hope the Saints owner doesn’t put a bounty up for naming rights.) Jazz fans on Twitter were mostly annoyed by Tom Benson’s suggestion that his hope might possibly come to … Continue reading
On a 10-day contract, 6-3, 190-pound Blake Ahearn knows he doesn’t pass the NBA “eye test” — and the D-League sharpshooter told a couple of funny lines about that. But the Utah Jazz’s newest player very well could get playing time as soon as tonight in Houston. Ahearn spent time with Utah reporters after this morning’s shootaround and just two days after leaving his wife and hospitalized prematurely born … Continue reading
I work with some pretty great people who are talented, curious, hard-working and, well, kinda nuts. Trevor Phibbs is one of those, especially when it comes to the talented and hard-working part. This email he sent me and the information he put together shows that he’s also kinda nuts and very curious, qualities I can certainly appreciate. (Click here for high quality Utah Blaze and high school coverage … Continue reading
NBA commissioner David Stern was at Wednesday’s Jazz-Suns game, and as you can imagine guffaws were shared by all. (Here’s a free link to the actual Stern story.) Some lighter moments of Stern’s 20-minute media session: • First, what didn’t get discussed. Unfortunately, time ran out before I could ask questions Jazz fans suggested on Twitter, such as: When will Dick Bavetta retire? Will the NBA ever issue … Continue reading
Gordon Hayward’s Block-A-Thon in Wednesday’s loss was something else. From my vantage point at the TD Garden, I could see Hayward teeing up Keeyon Dooling’s fast break shot, and he did a great job of swatting the ball from behind. But to follow that sweet block with an even better rejection of Avery Bradley made it a phenomenal play, very worthy of its Play of the Day status … Continue reading
The Jazz’s incredible finish Thursday night was capped by Devin Harris and Al Jefferson hooking up on a perfectly executed lob … or some good-old-fashioned luck. Watch the video, and you decide: Pass or shot? Just how it was drawn up, right? “Devin said it was a great pass,” Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said. “So that’s how it was supposed to go.” Corbin said that with a sly … Continue reading
Josh Howard is done for the season. The Utah Jazz small forward has a chip in the lateral femoral cartilage in his left knee that will require surgery to repair in order to prevent further damage. Howard’s knee experienced recent swelling, which led to him undergoing an MRI test on the Jazz’s day off Monday. The Jazz’s team orthopedist, Dr. Lyle Mason, determined the knee would require surgery … Continue reading
Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin took exception to outsiders who speculated that he might play certain players just to increase their tradability. “I play guys for us to win. That’s what I’ve been doing all year. That’s what I’ll continue to do,” the second-year coach said. “I play guys with match-ups and what gives us the best chance and who’s going well.” Winning games and developing players have remained … Continue reading
While going through my voice recorder, I found a fun exchange with Earl Watson after Al Jefferson’s big game and first career 3-pointer Monday night: Watson: “I’ve been telling you since last week, Jody, I’m his new agent and we’re putting him in the Skills Challenge, but we’re going to do the 3-point contest as well. We’re not going to do the dunk contest, tha’s one thing … Continue reading