Brad Rock: Utah Jazz still aspire to be like Hollywood rivals

Watching the Clippers' rise brings the inevitable impulse to say the Jazz could do the same. Young talent, good work ethic, etc. Problem is, as bad as the Clippers have been over the years, they were always sleeping giants. They're in the nation's second-largest market. Their practice facility is a 3-point shot from the beaches.

These days you have to wonder how many NBA players want to spend winters in snow if they can spend them in the cabana?

"I call it a vacation destination," said Jazz guard Mo Williams, a former Clipper. "When you get a vacation destination, you've always got the opportunity of being a powerhouse."

This kind of prestige is new territory for the Clippers. Who could have imagined until Griffin showed up that teams would aspire to pattern themselves after the Clippers?

"It's all tough. On our home court," said Corbin after the loss.

It's always tough when Los Angeles comes calling.

email: rock@desnews.com