Meet
My Two Loves
Posted by: Ian Leavitt on October 21st, 2010
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.I’m sitting with anticipation, donned in white and blue. I nonchalantly chat with those around me, legs moving aimlessly with excitement. Suddenly: Darkness. A long grin appears on my face as The Allen Parsons Project entices me with “Sirius.” Finally. It’s happening.
“THE STARTING LINEUP FOR YOUR UTAH JAZZ!”
This was the scene set for the Jazz home games I attended last season, along with the dozens of games I have been to in my lifetime. I try to watch every game on TV, but nothing beats watching the Jazz play at Energy Solutions Arena. With the exception of my wife, I have two loves in my life. I am currently studying English and have loved writing my entire life. I have always found the written word as a better means of expression, beating out public speaking and art. In my younger years, I would write to calm me down, to pick me up, or just to pass the time. In addition to writing, I have always loved my Utah Jazz. I have since I can remember.
It wasn’t until a couple years ago I realized how lucky I am to have been born in the age I was. Being born in the mid-80’s, I was the perfect age to enjoy some of the greatest basketball players of all time: Jordan, Magic, Pippen, Payton, Olajuwon, Malone, Stockton. I grew up watching and expecting the best basketball. Today’s superstars do not disappoint when it comes to my expectation. In 2004, I watch as Tracy McGrady scorched the Jazz for 48 points. Granted, Jason McElwing (autistic kid from New York who put up 20 in garbage time. Actually really inspirational. YouTube it.) could have put up 50 against the 04-05 Jazz. That was just a bad basketball year. Malone sold out and became a (gasp) Laker. Stockton retired. Our just-acquired “new face of the franchise” Carlos Boozer was out most of the year, a trend that would prove all-too frequent in his stint in Utah, and seeming to carry over to Chicago. He’s the Bulls’ enigma now. Anyhow, I watched, game after game, starting line-up after starting line-up, as the Jazz grew worse and worse. They ended up 26-56, the worst record in the Sloan era. But honestly, who is gonna win games starting Kris Humphreys and Ben Handlogton, a guy is no longer, and never should have been, on the basketball court? Devastating as it was, the 04 season is a blessing in disguise. The Jazz ended up with a lottery pick, and picked up a young point guard out of Illinois. Deron Williams. Thus the current Jazz era begins, and my love for the Jazz is higher than it ever has been. Watching the preseason makes we so excited, I’m almost giddy. I can’t wait to watch them bring the hammer to Denver, because, like any good Jazz fan, I despise the Thuggets.
Combining my two loves would be like a dream come true. I could write (one love) about my other love, the Utah Jazz. I’ve seen the best of the Jazz: 60-win seasons, and epic duo that made every all-star game, countless Kirilenko blocks. I’ve also been there for the worst of the Jazz: the above-mentioned 04 season, injury after injury, and two stints with…grrr…Greg Ostertag. I also watched as my heart broke when Bryon Russel became victim to one of the most painful “Jordan Calls” in existence. I’m a Jazz fan, I’m bitter. We all are.
In short, I would love to be a Jazz Bot. I think my expertise and insight would serve the thousands of other Jazz fans well. So lets all unite…and beat L.A!
Replies: 2
Views: 400
2 Responses
great post. Your passion for the Jazz really shines through.
Thanks for pointing out that we’re all bitter! So true.