Comments about ‘Vai's View: Jimmer and Jazz could net perfect match’

You know when I first thought of this as an option for the Jazz, I hated it, but the more I think about it, I kinda think the Jazz MUST draft him. A few athletic reasons and lots of business ones.

1) Athletic - he might be good....might. Imagine the "type one" error if the Jazz didn't draft him and he was the next Larry Bird. The Jazz have always needed a shooter, and Jimmer can definitely do that.

2) Business - he will sell tickets for the Jazz for at least a few seasons. This won't only happen at home, but also aways. Mormons will likely want to see him at away games that are close to their homes.
Jimmer if he gets good will likely stay with the Jazz, which gives them a competitive advantage in resigning him. If the Jazz don't draft him, the organization will further alienate more of their fan base. Jimmer is "popular", heck he is Sportscenter boy, and you should build off of that. Right now, Jimmer is the #1 sports fixture in the state of Utah, build off of it. It will be easier than selling anything else.

Vai, interesting take on the draft. You're probably the only analyst in America who is concerned about Jimmer's singleness. When I first started the article I thought you were joking but you bring up some good points. This issue has been a hot topic in our home as we wonder if we should encourage our kids to head out west for college so they will have more dating opportunities. While I don't exactly agree with you about the importance of being in Utah for dating purposes, you do make some good points. Keep those blog posts coming and go Cougs!

From what I've heard he wants to marry his girlfriend but her parents don't want her to leave BYU without her degree. Seems a little crazy to me, but obviously I'm not involved in the decision. Everyone I know who knows them expects them to get married and they have shopped for rings before. It's kind of creepy that I know all this but hey it's Provo.

Thanks for another good article Vai.

That was great Vai! I loved it!

Vai sounds just like a YSA Ward Bishop. Don't get me wrong, I think Jimmer needs to hear this and I completely agree, but I sure didn't expect someone to say in print. Way to go.

Amen, Mel. I laughed out loud at this, but I couldn't agree more. Frankly, I don't care where he plays (not tied to the Jazz all that much), but I really REALLY hope he doesn't get caught up in the whirlwind of stardom and end up a bachelor. Here's hoping they can figure out how to make it work not matter what...

@Errand of Angels

add #3

Remember Dominique Wilkins refused to come to Jazz and Boozer loosers.

Jimmer will definitely come and stay.

Thanks for the great insight! It's refreshing to get a true LDS take on the professional sports world.

Thanks Vai for speaking so truthfully about what lies ahead for Jimmer. In this world of political correctness, I for one appreciate the "plain speak" you have laid out.

As I read your article, I was taken back to the college world I attended in the early 80s and the temptations that were "ever" present (and I was just a regular kid). I can't imagine what these athletes must go through as they try to defend themselves both on and off the playing surface.

I too will selfishly hope that Jimmer is selected by the Jazz so that I can take my sons to watch him play. I can think of no finer role model than Mr. Fredette and would be proud to personally shake his hand and tell him that. For all the years of joy he has brought to my boys and I as we have watched him play, I at least owe him that.

While some of us want the Jimmer in Utah for selfish reasons, Vai is looking at his long term happiness. Classic Vai.

I found it much harder to date and find a spouse at Ricks College and big student wards than by other means. Many of us found it much easier to be a YSA outside of that whole scene, where money and appearances don't matter so much as the substance of your character, and where 80% of the ward is going after 20% of the ward, and the rest may as well not exist. Jimmer's a jock though, so he should be fine.

General advice in an article, great. Advice to a specific person? It is inappropriate and dare I say, cowardly, to gossip about another's life, much less in print. If you really care, man up and make a call, Vai.

Love lots of your columns. This one is out of line.

Terrific piece.

Oops. I meant to say that it is easier to not be in a student ward where 80% are going after the same 20%, and people care more about money and appearances than the substance of your character. You know what I mean.

In my humble opinion, that was not a humble opinion, In My Humble Opinion. Vai is pure gold.

@ IMHO "General advice in an article, great. Advice to a specific person? It is inappropriate and dare I say, cowardly, to gossip about another's life, much less in print. If you really care, man up and make a call, Vai."
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I respectfully disagree. I don't think this is inappropriate at all. Via wasn't gossiping, he was taking an interesting LDS view on well publicized situation. I didn't read once where he said "Jimmer, you need to...". He was speaking in general terms about an individual's situation to offer a perspective that can be applicable to others. Hopefully many single college guys will read this and gain an appreciation for their current situation and not squander the opportunities they have.

I know I was blessed by being married when I moved to Texas with my first job after completing my degree.

Vai makes some good points but I would like to say that if he is not ready or hasn't found the right person than it would be better for him to stay single. The last thing he needs is to force the issue and make a big time mistake. Oh and Vai...GO CELTICS!

Wow! At first I thought you were joking. Do you have any idea how ridiculous this article sounds to the millions of Latter-day Saints living outside of Utah? Believe it or not, it is possible to live righteously, find eternal partners, and have a great life outside the State. The suggestion that a member of the Church is more likely to be moral, happy, and successful if he/she resides along the Wasatch Front is kind of silly to those of us who prefer to live where there is more diversity. Take it from someone who left Utah after graduating from BYU and never looked back. I have no regrets or bitterness about my time in Utah, but I'm now enjoying living and raising a family elsewhere.

Vai, I'm sure you're eagerly awaiting Jimmer's op-ed on the state of YOUR marriage. It's stuff like this that if anything will make Jimmer want to leave the Utah fishbowl, and remember, he grew up in upstate New York, not Utah.

Seriously, you don't think his parents and bishop haven't told him all this many times? And of course, there could NEVER be any gold-diggers in Utah's singles wards. I'm sure Jimmer would be treated just like a regular guy there.

Most of the athletes you listed met their wives outside of Utah. Steve Young didn't marry until he was almost 40 and his career nearly over. Sure, most BYU athletes marry in college. Most aren't high-profile superstars either.

Poorly executed article in general, and uncalled for specifically for meddling in someone else's private life.

OH MY Kind of "jumped the shark" on this one Vai. Slow day