Behind the Scoreboard - Claude Vinson


Thursday, May 24, 2007
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Behind The Scoreboard
By Claude Vinson

Surprising Utah Jazz

Karl “The Mailman” Malone would have been proud. John Stockton would have been prouder. For years these two took the Utah Jazz on their shoulders, bearing almost all of the weight for the season which went bad. The golden rings eluded them year after year during their tenure.

Just a few short weeks ago, it appeared as though the NBA’s biggest prize would be a showdown between Texas and California in the West. After the world settled down from all the topsy-turvy spinning in the first round, other westerners like Phoenix and Utah started to show up.

Now going into the sub-finals, it is pretty certain that Mr. Spurs (Tim Duncan) and his other fast guns are going to keep rolling along. Although they won game one on Sunday, the Jazz will flop back home for game three on Saturday.

Hey, I am adamant about not getting mixed up in this. No predictions from this corner. I merely pointed out that John and Karl would have been proud. The last time Utah made it this far Malone and Stockman were leading them – about a decade ago.

All of the above is important because Mr. Spurs was once a “million dollar baby” who turned a franchise around. You know, the same as LeBron James has done in the East. It just solidifies the age old adage – one person can make a difference.

And now our friends across the border are seeking the same miraculous transformation. The acquisition of one problem-solving big man.

I am sure that all of you know how the draft lottery works in the NBA. It is not a coin toss. Actually it depends on a ping pong ball. If it bounces the right way the Griz are in. If it doesn’t, then they will still need a new manager, a new coach and a “partridge in a pear tree.”

I really feel that all of us in the surrounding area want the best for the Griz. How stylish would it be to walk around saying, “Our Memphis Grizzlies won the NBA”?

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