The Big Tulip

Posted by: Jonathan Noel on December 4th, 2010

The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.

“There’s only two things I hate in this world. People who are intolerant of other people’s cultures and the Dutch.”

– Nigel Powers

When Austin Powers father uttered the quote referenced above in the cinematic masterpiece known as “Goldmember” I recall laughing.  A lot.  And then reflecting a bit on what he said.  The joke, obviously, is the contradictory nature of the sentence. However I found myself wondering “Why would he hate the Dutch?”

So naturally I had to immediately catalog everything I knew about the Dutch:

1. Wooden Shoes
2. Dikes
3. Tulips
4. Francisco Elson
5. I think it’s somewhere near Santa’s Workshop
6. Pivotal role in the Marseilles Compact of 1732

So yeah.  I know nothing about the Dutch.

But I do know this.  In spite of his professed hate of the Dutch, Nigel Powers would have liked Francisco Elson.  How could you not like the Jazz newest big man off the bench?  Francisco (“Ooh, Francisco!  That’s fun to say!) has provided a much needed element that the team has been missing for years: quality, tough backup big man minutes.

He’s not going to win any awards or average double figure anything (except fouls, maybe) but he is able to come in, bang around a bit, and give the starters a rest.  Things will get even more interesting when Memo comes back, and Elson can play an even different pace changing role.

Elson has actually at times reminded me of a former Jazzman that played an important role on successful Jazz teams of the past, the Big Dog himself, Antoine Carr.  Carr provided punch off the bench (both in scoring and defense) and really added a dimension of strength to the team.  I think Elson can really play a similar, though certainly more understated role.

Indeed, Francisco “The Big Tulip” Elson has been a pleasant surprise for me this season, in large part due to his role in changing the toilet-paper-soft-break-your-pinky-tripping-over-a-bag image of this team from the last few years to the new, tougher Raja-will-punch-you-in-the-face-while-Lil’ Earl Watson-bites-your-ankles-and-Elson-insults-your-Grandma image.

Me?  I love the toughness Francisco Elson has helped bring to this years Jazz team.  Perhaps that explains what Austin Powers dad hated about the Dutch.

Maybe he’s a Nuggets fan.

Replies: 3

 

Views: 590

3 Responses

1. Boondock Saint says:

   December 6, 2010 at 7:44 am

   Classic. The Big Tulip..awesome! I can’t stop laughing about the insulting your Grandma’s image.
2. Jeff Hofmann says:

   December 6, 2010 at 7:46 pm

   I’m pretty sure Nigel was referring to Rik Smits.
3. Justin says:

   December 6, 2010 at 8:00 pm

   Ever since we picked him up I’ve been saying this was a good acquisition. He’s a role player, plain and simple, but he’s snarky, and fiesty, and a worker. He will do well in this system.

   Also, he is definately the most athletic big man we have ever had.