Miller tribute leaves fans jazzed

No, Greg Miller is not ready for his press interview.

The Utah Jazz's chief executive officer is busy shooting the breeze with a season ticket-holder, mussing the hair of a little boy in a Utah Jazz jersey and passing out fan hats to teenagers with blue hair and painted faces.

"I'm having so much fun," he said, shaking one, two, three more hands before regretfully setting down his stack of hats and preparing to chat with the Deseret News. "I love these people."

Miller and his mother, Gail, who owns the Utah Jazz, personally welcomed fans to EnergySolutions Arena Friday, to kick off the first home game of the season.

It's what, Greg Miller said, his father would have wanted.

Before Larry H. Miller died on Feb. 20 from complications of diabetes, he was known for getting "right there in the middle of everyone, shaking hands and smiling," Greg Miller said.

"He was big on humility," he said. "He always used to tell us, 'I don't mind getting big, but I don't want to act big.' "

Greg Miller got a little red-eyed Friday, as he talked about kicking off the season without his father.

"I love coming here," he said. "I love the electric feeling, the drama, the game. But it's hard. It still doesn't feel right to walk into this building, like I've been doing for the past 18 years, and not have him here."

Larry H. Miller was on more minds than one Friday.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, which opened the game with a goose-bump-inducing version of the national anthem, sang to memorialize the Jazz's former owner, said choir president Mac Christensen.

Friday was only the second time Christensen has led his 360 singers onto a basketball court. The first time was also at a Jazz game.

"The Miller family has been so fantastic to this community," Christensen said. "We're really doing this to honor Miller."

Greg Miller, though, would prefer not to focus on his family. He'd like to put the spotlight on the arena full of fans.

Friday's meet-and-greet session was a gesture of appreciation from the franchise to the fans, he said.

"These fans are the engine of the Utah Jazz," Greg Miller said. "We just want to thank them."

In a quiet voice, taking each person who stepped through the door firmly by the hand, Gail Miller delivered the message first hand.