From Deseret News archives:
Quite a season Jazz endure one wild ride
'06-07 precursor of more to come
By the time all was said and done nearly eight months after the opening of October training camp, and the team's first trip to the Western Conference Finals since 1998 was ended in five games by the San Antonio Spurs, there was a bit of internal bickering, a long list of memories to savor and a general sense that finishing seven victories shy of the franchise's first NBA title offers jacked expectations for the future.
"I hope next year," veteran forward Matt Harpring said, "we can come back with more dedication than this year."
That in mind, here's a look at the some of the highs and lows during a season that can be recalled to this point as the Jazz's best since stars John Stockton and Karl Malone chose 2003 as the year to put Utah in their personal rear-view mirrors:
1. WHAT AN OPENING
In a happenstance that would eventually come full circle, the Jazz on Nov. 1 opened at the not-even-close-to-being-sold-out Delta Center the arena's longtime name would be changed to EnergySolutions Arena before the season was done with a 107-97 victory over the Houston Rockets.
Utah went on to win its road opener at Phoenix, rallying late and outscoring the Suns 31-21 in the final quarter.
Over the next three-plus weeks, the Jazz were arguably the hottest team the NBA had to offer.
Before sustaining their first back-to-back losses late in November, Utah had started a franchise-best 12-1 the lone defeat in that stretch coming when they committed 17 turnovers in a Nov. 8 visit to New Jersey.
After falling to the Nets, the Jazz reeled off eight straight victories their longest winning streak of the season.
In the final four games during that run, though, Utah had to overcome big deficits: Down by 16 in the fourth quarter against Phoenix, vs. Toronto after being down 16 for a second straight game, down by 21 in the second half before winning at Sacramento and down by as many as nine in a home game against the Los Angeles Lakers that included 13 ties and a whopping 19 lead changes.
Comments
- Hasan's lawyer to meet with him 2:45 p.m.
- Hatch empathizes with Muslims 2:42 p.m.
- Two arrested in $3 robbery 2:41 p.m.
- Dow hits highest level in a year 2:33 p.m.
- 2 more in GOP may challenge Bennett 2:31 p.m.
- Life sentences for juveniles examined 2:20 p.m.
- Matheson may face Dem challenger 2:11 p.m.
- Columbia prof to speak at U. 2:07 p.m.
- Mitchell wants testimony excluded 1:36 p.m.
- Cleveland case expands overseas 1:27 p.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Hope for single moms
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- TCU moves into 4th place in BCS
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
246 - House passes health care bill
212 - Lobo suspended
176 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
153 - TCU showdown has big implications
145 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
130 - Thousands protest health bill
107 - Provo company innovating engines
106 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
103 - RSL rallies to advance
103
Davis has no offense? I guess having one of the best, if not the best RB in...
As The A-TEAM would of put it, "I LOVE IT WHEN A PLAN COMES TOGETHER." The...
Dick, how is your golf game you haven't mentioned it in ages.
'Too expensive!' Thinking man, healthcare as it is now is too expensive....
I'm so sick of Mitchell's attorneys exploiting the legal system to keep...
Gee, what a shock, something to help the poor trodden down single mothers. I...
It's football, and each team has their chances. i think both will play well....
Alta wasnt even a playoff team without Kealia Ohai!
Leave. Duh. No WMD's. No Osama Bin Laden. No reason to be there. Our...
I enjoyed seeing the old uniforms. Bring them back! Great day for Tampa Bay!




You can be the first to comment on this story.