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."

Referee Bob Delaney begs to differ. He made certain Jazz superfan Dr. Richard Anderson, the megaphone man who goes bonkers behind the basket, received a "written warning card" for remarks he made in Game 3. Still, Anderson got high-fived by Utah's Andrei Kirilenko while being escorted out of the arena.

Creative fans add to the ambiance. Some had signs saying "Caution: Vicious Mormon Fan" and "The Second-Round Virgin" with Tracy McGrady's photo on it. Another guy wore a diaper and a McGrady jersey. Because of how involved the loud-and-proud Jazz fans are — booing, yelling, cheering, smart-alecking or slapping balloon noisemakers together like crazy — opponents agree EnergySolutions Arena is a challenging venue. Because the arena was built like an amplifier, it can also be rough on their eardrums.

Houston's Shane Battier told the Chronicle it is "the toughest place to play in the league. Definitely." McGrady said the ESA is "a type of environment that just says basketball." But since the Rockets account for two of the Jazz's five home losses, McGrady said they aren't intimidated by Utah fans.

"They can't come out of the stands and play. So we're not bothered by that," McGrady said. "We just come out here and play our game."

Opponents whose ears are thin-skinned just might want to come play their games with earplugs.

Unlike some, Williams doesn't believe Jazz fans have too much bite with their bark.

"They're not vicious to me," he said with a smile.

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Contributing: Tim Buckley

E-mail: jody@desnews.com