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History Is Made This Way
Posted by: Danny-Hansen on May 10th, 2010
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.
You have heard it on TV. You have read it in the papers and on the Internet. You have heard it from friends and family. You have probably even heard it from that little voice in your head. And what you have heard is that the Jazz’s second round series against the Lakers is over after the Lakers took a commanding 3-0 series lead Saturday night. It’s over they say. But last time I checked you need to win 4 games to win a series. And after even more thorough investigating, I found out that the Jazz’s season isn’t over and they are scheduled to play again on Monday night. So, while the Jazz have not been eliminated and still have games on their schedule, I am not waving the white flag.
Every time this Jazz team steps on the floor, I feel they have a chance to win. Every time. I haven’t had that feeling about a Jazz team since the Stockton and Malone years. The attitude and toughness of this Jazz team is different from past years. They are a dangerous team. Just ask Carmelo and his fans in Utah. And while the Jazz still have games to play, I will have their back.
They say, “You can’t come back from a 3-0 defecit to win a playoff series.” Well, where does it say that in the NBA rule book. And though it has never happened and it is very unlikely, it is not impossible. The Jazz should know better than any franchise that a 3-0 lead does not mean you have already advanced.
In the 2nd round of the 1994 playoffs, the Jazz met up with the #8 seed Denver Nuggets, who were fresh off the first ever upset of a #1 seed in the first round of the playoffs in NBA history. Stockton, Malone, and Hornacek took a 3-0 lead in the series with an overtime win in Game 3 by the score of 111-109. It was over everybody was saying, but Denver didn’t think so. In Game 4, the Nuggets stole Game 4 by a single point. They then went on to force Game 7 by winning two close games in Games 5 and 6. It was far from over. The Nuggets had all the momentum. Karl Malone was struggling. Denver was really close to making history all because they didn’t give up. And though the Jazz did eventually win that series with a 10 point Game 7 victory, the Nuggets showed what could happen if a team believes they can win.
Another source for inspiration for Jazz fans are the 2004 Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox trailed the rival Yankees 3-0 in the American League Championship Series. In fact, the Red Sox had lost Game 3 to the Yanks 19-8. They even trailed Game 4 in th 9th inning 4-3. Yet they were able to come back and win that game 6-4 in the 12th inning. That catalyzed them to a Game 5 victory, followed by a Game 6 victory, and finally a series clinching Game 7 thrashing of New York. And though comparing baseball and basketball is apples and oranges, the Red Sox should make believers out of Jazz fans.
Now, let’s look at some positives for the Jazz. Their next game is at home. We can be there, willing them to victory. In fact, two of the three games needed to force a Game 7 are at home. The Jazz have been in every game, and they are a few plays and inches from having a 2-1 lead in this series. The Jazz can play loose. They are, as they say, playing with house money. They can take chances and try something new. And finally, the Jazz have the best point guard in the NBA. I am not counting out D-Will. Considering all these things, who knows, the Jazz just may make history. And after all, there has to be a first time for everything.
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Absolutely agree! There is ALWAYS a first time for everything and what better time than now? While it doesn’t look good for the Jazz right now, I think they still have a chance. They usually play a lot better when they’re backs are against the wall and they can’t get any tighter to that proverbial wall than they are now. If they can come out and get the first double digit win of the series tonight I think that could give them some confidence going back to LA. Call me crazy but for some reason I actually feel really good about tonight and where the Jazz are headed in general. None of us even expected them to be playing in May this year, so the fact that they are is a bonus. They just can’t give up on themselves tonight, they’ve got to stay confident and fight. Every game in this series has been extremely close. If they continue to take it one game at a time anything can happen, just gotta stay positive! GO JAZZ!!!
P.S. Even if they don’t win tonight we’ve still got a lot to be excited about. Dwill is just coming into his prime. Matthews was a steal and will continue to get better, hopefully becoming the 2 guard we’ve been looking for since Hornacek (I just hope we can lock him up). CJ has grown up a lot this season and will hopefully get better defensively, giving us a solid guy at the 3. If Memo can come back 100% we’ll still have a solid option at the 5 (hopefully we get some young length and talent in the draft to supplement Memo). And if Boozer does come back we’ll still have a weapon at the 4; if not we still have the opportunity to sign a free agent. If that doesn’t happen we’ve always got Millsap that can step in and put up good numbers (not Boozer numbers, but solid none the less). I’m just really excited about this team and where they’re headed. The Jazz are still definitely on the up when it comes to talent and they continue to gain valuable experience. They’ll be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
I like it. We just wanted the history books along with our championship this year
I like your we can do attitude!
Amen. AND GO JAZZ!
If a team is ever going to come back from 0-3, it’s going to be in a situation like this. Three close losses and a key player coming back from injury. Even if they don’t, it’s been a great season. I went to two of the best games ever (Cavs and Thunder), and we beat the Nuggets when no one thought we could.
If I don’t get a chance to say this again, I love my blogger friends and I hope we stay in touch this summer!!
Well, Jazz fans. I thought it was a noble effort. Hard to end the season being swept, but I feel a lot of hope in next year, especially in players with great potential who seem to be improving (CJ, Wes) Go Jazz!