Anyone else sick of this the Jazz are good guys bologna? They aren't any different than any other team in the league. This is the type of sanctimonious attitude that gives the state a bad name. I'm sure there are plenty of instances, even referenced in this article of Jazzmen getting in trouble and then some columnist like Robinson taking a soft edge on it - blaming the incident on circumstance. This is the biggest farce that continues to be perpetuated by the media here. Truth is they are just Jazz homers - and continue to promote the false notion that the Jazz is the only team with "good guys"

Mr. Robinson has written some masterpieces over the years. Unfortunately, this isn't one of them. The point seems to be that the Jazz are better behaved than the rest of league. That point is supported by a littany of problems that Jazz players have had over the years. Drugs, sex, and violence. More proof that sports in America is out of wack.

Doug Imagine if you wrote this story about the Lakers, Knicks, Bulls, Pacers or the Dallas Cowboys who just traded for Pac-man Jones. You would still be writing the story.

What a waste of an article. We are in the middle of an intense playoff season, and Doug writes about out players police records. A waste of space

As long as a player can put the ball in the hoop fans are willing to pay big bucks to see that and don't much care what a morally bankrupt person the player is. We are the ones that feed these overinflated egos! You know how it is, as soon as a person gets some fame and money they think they are above the rest of us and can do as they please. The "NBA cares" adds seem to be trying to defray the damage that the bad behavior of many of their players has caused the league.

Just one voice here but I do care and am glad that we don't hear about the Jazz raping, stealing, having drunken orgies and being a general blight on society.

For the record...I am from the Fresno area. The Stevenson thing occurred after he had been drafted, but before the season started...had they known about him, I doubt the Jazz (or anyone else) would have taken him until he had some college to find out what he was really like...and by the way, he is and always was overrated!

I agree, this is a waste of time for a local four bit newspaper, speaking about perceived criminal activity on behalf of the local pro team. If your going to talk crimes in sports then you have to look at the entire picture to include all sports and to at least be objective enough not to isolate the home team players...and then place them on pedistals in comparison to others!!!.... what a display of no objectivity...this is way out of your league DMN........leave investigating the pro's to the big networks and the big cindicates.....Mr. Robinson..... you've only shown what an amature you are.......Cover the athletisism of the players, the games their involved in and leave criminal activity investigations to the local civil authorites.

I don't know why everyone is whining and complaining about this article. I am glad that I don't have to worry about whether or not our players are going to be able to play tonight because of a rape trial, or any of the other garbage that happens a LOT more predominantly at other teams. The culture of the NBA has gone completely downhill, especially over the last decade, and it is very refreshing to see that not every team has completely spiraled downhill. Are the Jazz perfect? No. But are they leagues above most of the other teams. Absolutely. How can you dispute it?

As has been stated...What's the point of this article. Stupid article subject, poor timing, pointless. Next up: How the Jazz players match up with their baseball card collections.......

Torrey Ellis, Portland assault trip, impersonating an officer, Luther Wright, ect, ect?

i agree with the article. where is stevenson? where is wright? where is ellis? not in utah. yes the jazz have tried to keep a good guy image and yes it is paying off. if Boozer was part of a rape scandal like kobe was he probably wouldnt be in utah anymore, if stockton would have been pulled over for drunk driving to start a playoff series his image would be much more tainted then melo in denver. if anyone of the jazz players went on the air talking about how practice wasnt important he would be benched unlike iverson who started the next game. i mean gira did less and he was sent home from a road trip. the jazz have good discipline and that is part of why i go to games

I couldn't agree more with "Why all the whining?" (12:27 pm). Intersting perspective. Find me one pro sports team with less leagal matters involving the players and you can whine all you want. But until then, just sit back and be thankful that our children have good role models to look up to on the team they cheer for.

Wow, looks like Doug struck a cord. To Where's Stocton (sic) mix in a spell check. To What About???: did you read the article? Doug cited those incidents, except for Torrey Ellis, and I have no idea who that is. I don't think that Robinson is saying these guys are perfect, but I don't see the harm in pointing out that Jazz players tend to stay clean, and that it starts with the organization. Does it matter? Not really, but then, neither does basketball either. Jazz by 18 tonight and finish the sweep on Saturday.

The fact that the Jazz behavior problems are not as bad as other teams does not excuse the bad behavior they have displayed. The Portland incident makes us believe they just don't get caught much. They are still adults and community icons who should be held to a high level of conduct.

This is dangerous article....

unjinx

I find the article interesting. Doug does a good job of pointing out all the negative that has occured, but also points out that it is very minimal compared to most NBA teams. Surely there are other teams that continuously have high character guys too. The Spurs come to mind off the top of my head. He wasn't trying to say the Jazz players are the only good guys in the NBA. People need to read this article for what it is, and just appreciate the players we have. I don't think any one would be complaining this article if they lived in Denver, Indiana, etc before. In fact, I think they would be applauding.

This is a good article. NBA players are too often excused or mildly reprimanded for their bad examples and damaging behavior. NBA should suspend anyone who has been charged with a crime until they are cleared. Simply because my kids adore these guys.

Character is great and should be sought after,

but it has never won anyone a championship either.

If you have lived in Portland for the last 10 years, you would understand why this article has merit. First...I'm much more of a Blazer fan now that they have "cleaned house". I can support Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge much more now. Next year with Oden, they may actually make the playoffs??

Still, I would rather lose with character than win with a bunch of criminals. The Jazz are winning in a small market, with good character type players. I say credit Sloan, Miller and the front office.

I still am a Jazz fan and feel we need a sweep to rest for the Lakers (a team with less character).

Maybe the Jazz moms and Jazz fans would like their kids to sit next to Jerry Sloan at a game. He's a "good guy" right - listen to his filthy language and see if that is the right role model.

You Jazz fans need to get over the holier than thou attitude.