From Deseret News archives:

Korver at same hotel as his former teammates

Published: Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008 12:07 a.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Jazz swingman Kyle Korver admitted before Wednesday night's game with the 76ers that the shock had not worn off yet.

On Saturday, the Sixers sent Korver to Utah for Gordan Giricek (and his expiring $4 million contract) plus a future first-round pick.

"No, I'm still in shock, and it doesn't help that I saw them (Tuesday) night," Korver said during a shoot-around Wednesday at Energy Solutions Arena. "It's strange, and it hasn't set in."

Korver saw his former teammates Tuesday when they arrived in Utah. The Sixers were at the same hotel that Korver stays in, and he went out to dinner with a few of his former teammates.

"It looked so weird seeing him in that Jazz sweatsuit," said Sixers guard Willie Green, who was one of Korver's best friends on the team.

When the Sixers' bus arrived, Korver was sitting in the hotel lobby.

"It was strange seeing him there," said Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks, who is fighting the flu. "But that is life in the NBA."

Giricek, who had requested a trade because of a rocky relationship with Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, had a different take on facing his former team.

"I want to treat this like any other game," he said. "I have been in this situation before and know how to handle it."

Story continues below
This is the first time that Korver, 26, has experienced being traded. Now in his fifth NBA season, he was immensely popular with his teammates, the coaching staff, and the fans of Philadelphia.

Korver says he has always kept his emotions in check, but he admitted it has been a difficult task over the last few days.

"I try to live a relatively drama-free life, but the last couple of days, the emotions have been up and down quite a bit," he said. "I've never experienced something like this."

While he was sad to leave Philadelphia, where he had become a fixture in the community, Korver says being with the Jazz, last year's Western Conference finalist, is a great opportunity.

He got off to a good start in his debut, scoring 11 points in under 18 minutes Sunday in Utah's 111-101 win over Portland, a game that snapped the Trail Blazers' 13-game winning streak. Korver received a standing ovation as he checked into the game for the first time midway through the second quarter.

"The crowd was great," Korver said. "... Playing the game the other night helped a lot — getting back out there and playing."

Korver's arrival has been strongly endorsed by his new teammates.

"It's great for me and for the team," point guard Deron Williams said. "I think it spreads out the floor and makes it a lot easier for everybody."

Recent comments

Hmmm that's interesting that you know the nuances of Fisher's...

Re: Fisher | Jan. 4, 2008 at 3:11 p.m.

LOL poor Rich & NYJazzFan clearly have no clue and haven't been...

Re: Rich/NYJazzFan | Jan. 4, 2008 at 7:43 a.m.

Rich, I agree with you but I think you mean the letter writer...

NYJazzFan | Jan. 3, 2008 at 8:24 p.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

so sorry to hear this terrible news..much sincer condolences to the her family.

Time for him to go. PAST time for him to go.

After reading many comments posted on several stories since the incident...

Hall reprimanded by MWC

Hey, I was at that Pres. Holland devotional, too. It was the year after the...

Sometimes when we loose we win, but not in this case. Want a future?...

First Meeting Utah, 12—4 (1896) Last Meeting BYU,...

Utahns growing tired of Bennett

I am!

Max Hall's only mistake was hating the sinner instead of the sin. He...

Kind of refreshing isn't it, Lee.

Philpot may run for Congress

I voted for Morgan for Vice Chair, and I think he would still be worth voting...

Advertisements