Somehow, none of the stories seemed to matter much on Wednesday.

For those who watched Dantley play in Utah, it's not hard to see why Miller, Layden and even Dantley are now waxing nostalgic. It was the beginning of an era. Dantley ushered the Jazz into the playoffs. He was the team's first big star.

Dantley said he now can enter EnergySolutions Arena and not be uncomfortable. Layden said justice has finally been served. Miller said the ceremony lifted a weight from his back. He went on to say that time lends perspective.

"When you look back, time and experience do this to us,"

Miller explained.

As I walked out of the interview room, I ran into John Stockton — another player who liked to keep to himself and was never a big fan of the media. I talked to him about his oldest son, a football player at Montana. He re-introduced me to his second son, a senior in high school.

I wasn't looking for an interview; I didn't even try. I just wanted to know how he was doing.

I walked out of the arena and into early spring air, glad I didn't have to write a story about an arrest, a contract holdout or a trade; just a story of righting old injustices. It made me feel good that Dantley's number was being retired. It also made me feel good that I had managed to talk to Stockton without pulling out a notebook and going to work.

I wondered if maybe I was getting mellow. Then I realized Miller was right.

Time and experience do that to us.

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E-mail: rock@desnews.com