Utah Jazz: Welcome to the zoo — Fans big part of NBA's best home record

Officials haven't put up a chain-link fence around EnergySolutions Arena with "Beware: Rabid Utah Jazz fans" signs posted on it yet. They aren't requiring rabies shots and muzzles for people attending games, either.

But some members of the out-of-town media and Utah opponents might think that would be a good start for controlling foaming-at-the-mouth Jazz fans.

When describing Utah's crowd, Houston Chronicle columnist Fran Blinebury recently wrote that the "often-maniacal following of the Jazz can make visiting teams feel like they have just walked in on feeding time at the zoo."

Unlike at the zoo, though, the visitors apparently feel like they're the main course.

Though examples weren't cited, Blinebury also pointed out that opponents have accused Jazz fans of going too far — "from taunting to personal slurs. Even racial ones."

"Oh yeah, they say things that you don't ever hear anywhere else ... ," Houston's Dikembe Mutombo told the Chronicle. "You can hear anything in this place. You cannot be thin-skinned."

He has since apologized, but ESPN reporter Ric Bucher took shots at the Beehive State's dominant religion, Jazz crowds and the area's nightlife (or lack thereof), saying on air: "Let's be honest. They're Mormon. And they're in Salt Lake. And there's nothing else to do there. You've got to smile and be happy all the time. This might be the one opportunity for fans to get vicious."

The Jazz will be counting on their "vicious" fans — regardless of smiling habits or religious affiliation — to give them a Game 6 boost tonight at 8:30 when they try to wrap up this first-round playoff series against the Rockets.

"They got our back, no matter what," said Jazz center Mehmet Okur.

Likewise, the Jazz players have their vocal fans' backs. Though others have been critical of various antics and catcalls, the Jazz are big fans of their boisterous fans who have played a role in their 38-5 home record during the regular season and playoffs.

"It's going to be a great crowd like they always are," said Jazz point guard Deron Williams. "We definitely feed off the crowd. The crowd is a big reason for our success."

"We've got great fans. They come go crazy for us. Other times, they do a good job of heckling the opposing team and getting them a little off their game," said Jazz forward Carlos Boozer. "But for us, we bring our energy, and that gets our crowd going, and they return the favor by giving it to us in the fourth quarter."

From his perspective, which is usually on the bench and within earshot of many hecklers, Jazz backup C.J. Miles doesn't think Utah fans go over the top. Miles said NBA players hear "crazy stuff in the stands" to mess with their minds — from people making fun of haircuts to tattoos — but he hasn't heard racist remarks that some Jazz fans have been accused of spewing.

"They can get rowdy. I think we've got one of the best crowds if not the best crowd in the league," Miles said. "I've never heard anybody say anything (racist) like that either, so I don't know. At the same time, I wouldn't think our fans are like that."

Jazz forward Matt Harpring hasn't noticed it in Salt Lake City, either. He has witnessed it elsewhere, though.

"A lot of times the writers and media don't hear the things that are said to us as we're walking off the court or onto the court. I don't think any of us make a big deal about it," Harpring said. "It's basketball. It's entertainment. I like it when fans get rowdy and they get crazy. I think they have a right to say whatever they want. They paid for the ticket."