From Deseret News archives:
Utah Jazz: Players' intros to get louder, darker
And that is one that sure can grate on the nerves of certain opponents anxious to start playing.
Soon, though, Jazz opponents will have their own do-it-up-right intros to endure.
A new lighting and sound system will be installed at EnergySolutions Arena for the upcoming 2008-09 NBA season, and Jazz point guard Deron Williams for one is thrilled by its arrival.
"I've been trying to get that since we got here," Williams said of lighting that will allow for the darkening of most of the arena during pre-game player introductions.
"You know, when you're growing up, you always envision NBA games going and turning the lights off, and having intros," he said. "It was kind of weird when I came here and I'm like, 'Well, what's wrong with the lights?"'
The new atmosphere, Williams said, should help to make the Jazz feel like they're playing "a real game."
Credit the franchise's emergence from cave-day production on game night to team president Randy Rigby, who also has been lobbied by Williams for a new scoreboard at the old Delta Center.
HARPRING UPDATE: Matt Harpring made Monday's trip to California with the Jazz, as expected, but there are no plans for him play in tonight's exhibition opener against Lakers.
Harpring had a hard pre-practice workout Monday morning with assistant coaches Scott Layden and Tyrone Corvin, but the veteran backup small forward didn't work out with the team and isn't anywhere near ready to return from offseason ankle surgery and subsequent infection in the joint.
LAKERLAND: The Lakers have been experimenting during their training camp with using star Kobe Bryant at small forward, ex-Jazz guard and usual Laker point Derek Fisher at Bryant's shooting guard spot and veteran forward Lamar Odom at the point, according to the Los Angeles Times.
It's uncertain, though, if either Bryant or Lakers big man Pau Gasol both of whom played not only in the NBA Finals, but also at the Summer Olympics in China will take part in tonight's exhibition.
Recent comments
It's seems a little silly to make a big deal when adding the darkened...
SJ Bobkins | Oct. 7, 2008 at 3:28 p.m.
BTW the way we need the lights, that would be awesome! give the live...
Tommyk | Oct. 7, 2008 at 12:54 p.m.
Its awesome what the Jazz are doing. I remember when the Utah Starzz,...
Anonymous | Oct. 7, 2008 at 12:41 p.m.
- Kirilenko sits, Miles improves 11:35 p.m.
- Texas survives huge Husker scare 11:34 p.m.
- Photos: Disability outreach 11:24 p.m.
- The forgotten ship: USS Utah 11:01 p.m.
- Tiger's SUV, personal life are a wreck 11:00 p.m.
- Utahns want health care reform bills 10:57 p.m.
- 20 years ago this week 10:52 p.m.
- Wildcats win conference road opener 10:51 p.m.
- Oden hurt, done for season? 10:50 p.m.
- Vonn gets 2nd win at World Cup 10:49 p.m.
- Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
309 - Letters: Liberal because LDS
247 - Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
195 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
189 - 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
189 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
179 - N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage
128 - Unbeaten BYU takes trip to Logan
105 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
104 - Harpring's NBA career is over
94
I got some e-mail from Aggie fans regarding a column I wrote last week...
BYU will get destroyed by and of the Pac 10 schools they play in the bowl...
Thank you USS Utah Sailors. I am just a 40 year old who is truly grateful...
Why are the Democrats so opposed to a business making a profit? Do they not...
Don't under estimate North Summit. their Sophomores have more experience than...
Deomocrats destroyed the unity? In a pig's eye! Please! Bush had 1/2...
The self righteous (living in their own created reality) comments of BYU...
I don't see how anyone like Glenn, Rush or Sean could feel happiness by...
Yeah its harsh Jbra. I agree. Then again, it is not matter of another ho...
A couple of year's ago, I had a friend get stuck up there. Needless to say I...
Perhaps some of you have heard of a little school called Gonzaga. Of their...

