Reader comments
Utah Jazz: Remember when — Jazz reflect on back-to-back appearances in NBA finals
35 comments | Read story
Gus | 12:47 a.m. June 7, 2008
Why are we re-living this moment in history? It only brings back feelings of
frustration and guilt. Frustration because Malone didn't see Jordan coming.
Guilt because I kissed my best friend's girl that night. And not just a
little kiss. We're talkin' big time.
Jim | 1:27 a.m. June 7, 2008
They were 2 great teams with great competitors on both teams. Memorable years
for the Jazz! I hate to be sour grapes as a Jazz fan, but I still feel to this
day, that the refs allowed Michael Jordan to get away with way too much. He was
a fantastic athlete, no doubt about it, maybe the best in NBA history, but he
was notorious for "pushing off", and notorious for carrying the ball
when he went in for one of his 3-step layups. There were far too many "no
calls" on Mr. Jordan, which DID have a bearing on the outcome.
Eek! | 8:05 a.m. June 7, 2008
Oh, please don't bring that up again! Unless you have an ulterior motive?!
Comments continue below
Jordan Travelled! | 9:33 a.m. June 7, 2008
My 92 year old grandmother could be "the greatest player in NBA
history" is she were allowed to take 4 steps every time she went to the
rack, push of with one hand (Jordan needed to hold the ball or he would have
been allowed to use both hands) to "create some space", and fake out
the defender by acting like she was going to shoot then start another dribble.
Sure a great player (Jordan, not my grandma) but he got A LOT OF HELP!!!
By the way, isn't Dick Baveta his Grandfather?
By the way, isn't Dick Baveta his Grandfather?
Jordan Rules | 9:36 a.m. June 7, 2008
Whoa! Stop with the Jordan bashing! If the Mail carrier and the Pasty Gangster
were tougher mentally they would have won. I think the only solid contributors
to those Jazz teams were Horney, Big Dog, and Chris Morris. Those are 3 guys
you could build a team around!
Dont forget.... | 9:38 a.m. June 7, 2008
Greg Foster. He was deadly in the post. Also, just think what that team could
have done if they still had Jay Humphries as the back up point instead of
Eisley. And what about Shandon Anderson. Would the Jazz have won even 40 games
without that guy? What a talent.
Malone Choked | 9:45 a.m. June 7, 2008
Curl Malone gave that one away. Period. And now the Jazz will never get there
again. They need to get a real coach and more real athletes surrounding D-Will.
Amazing | 10:19 a.m. June 7, 2008
Jazz fans still crying about Jordan pushiong off etc. Wow I don't feel so
bad a bout Kobe or fisher getting bashed now.
TucsonUte | 11:55 a.m. June 7, 2008
Loved those Jazz teams just like I love the up and coming team.
Go Jazz!
Go Jazz!
Patience Iago | 12:42 p.m. June 7, 2008
Don't worry Jazz fans. Maybe if the NBA stops fixing the games after this
year we can snag a championship. D-will is the clutch player we need. Now Boozer
just needs to stop choking and the trophy is in the bag!!!
Anonymous | 12:56 p.m. June 7, 2008
Did you just say the Jazz need a "REAL" coach? Isn't Sloan one of
the greatest coaches in NBA history?...um...yes!
RE:Patience lago | 1:43 p.m. June 7, 2008
Ok we won't worry because you said so!.
Sokol | 4:25 p.m. June 7, 2008
The Jazz won the NBA Finals in 98, Chicago and Jordan with the help of the refs
cheated..They should
put an asterisk by that one...with Jazz named
Co-Champs..
They won it but were cheated by the NBA.
I think the Jazz had the best team this year.
So, we are on the right track...Until, Boozer
is unafraid to take it to the whole, we will
come up short...And he is too turnover prone.
Kirilenko does not have the heart of a champion.
We all know Millsap, Brewer and Williams do.
put an asterisk by that one...with Jazz named
Co-Champs..
They won it but were cheated by the NBA.
I think the Jazz had the best team this year.
So, we are on the right track...Until, Boozer
is unafraid to take it to the whole, we will
come up short...And he is too turnover prone.
Kirilenko does not have the heart of a champion.
We all know Millsap, Brewer and Williams do.
Re:Sokol | 5:18 p.m. June 7, 2008
I feel so much better to know we actually won the 98 finals. Now if we can just
convince anyone out side the state of Utah. And oh ya we won it this year too.
awesome two time NBA champs.
Bigjazzfan | 5:39 p.m. June 7, 2008
It's amazing what you can accomplish when have star shooting guard.
Every championship team had one!
When the jazz realize that championships are more dependent on guard play and 1,2, 3 position not a power forward
(the least important of the 5 positions, except for defense)
maybe they will have chance at winning a championship.
Every championship team had one!
When the jazz realize that championships are more dependent on guard play and 1,2, 3 position not a power forward
(the least important of the 5 positions, except for defense)
maybe they will have chance at winning a championship.
Lewrn two spale | 5:40 p.m. June 7, 2008
take it to the WHOLE? A few mistakes are fine but WHOLE!
Bigjazzfan | 5:40 p.m. June 7, 2008
Oddly enough, it was when the jazz had an adequte shooting guard (Horny) that
they did their best!
RE: sokol | 5:59 p.m. June 7, 2008
Give it up, the best team won.
IF the jazz were the best team they would have won inspite of a couple of bad calls.
Best case if the calls had been made it would just gone to a seventh game.
With NO guarantees the jazz would have won a championship.
IF the jazz were the best team they would have won inspite of a couple of bad calls.
Best case if the calls had been made it would just gone to a seventh game.
With NO guarantees the jazz would have won a championship.
Laker Fan | 6:03 p.m. June 7, 2008
Is this all that hits the news here in U-town...glory days? Memories of 10
years ago! With the exception of the Lakers and the Celtics and apparently the
Jazz, everyone else is focused on re-building and winning - not whining. You
need to rid yourself of Larry (the bridesmaid) Miller and come up with an owner
that is willing to build a winning franchise, rather than implode in front of
the hometown fans. Hey Larry, how about a dealership in Panquitch or Elmo BIG
guy?
Anonymous | 8:49 p.m. June 7, 2008
What happened to that Karl guy who sold his house at a lost to get out of Utah?
Jazzed | 10:25 p.m. June 7, 2008
Hey, I am a Jazz fan and I faced the fact that Karl Malone literally choked it
up... TWICE! His stats were well below his season stats in both finals
appearances. Unfortunately, the Jazz' new power forward just did the same
thing against the Lakers. Karl had his chance for the ring(s) and if he would
have elevated his game, he would have two rings. Also, stop whining about the
Jordan no calls and the infamous push-off, the fact is, the Jazz should never
have been in the position to lose had they performed up to their potential when
it counted most!
Hopefully, the new Jazzmen will perform at their season levels or higher in the future and they will be a tough competitor for years to come.
Hopefully, the new Jazzmen will perform at their season levels or higher in the future and they will be a tough competitor for years to come.
fossil | 1:25 p.m. June 8, 2008
if that turkey neck bavetta had not taken the three points away that eisley hit
and still had one second left we would have been a champion that year. he should
retire.
Eye Dee Ten Tee | 10:34 p.m. June 8, 2008
my therapist said i should not think of this any more i try not two butt i keep
seing jordan pushing bryon thank you for putting this story in the paper now i
has two see my therapist again i dont think she will mind even if there is still
a restraining order
Where's Utah's Letter? | 9:50 a.m. June 9, 2008
Hasn't enough time passed that the NBA should send out a letter letting the
Jazz know that a foul should have been called on Mr. Jordan for the Push? It
only took the Leauge 2 days to get one for the Spurs. Further proof that the NBA
is fixed.
fossil | 12:38 p.m. June 9, 2008
kinda makes you mad, poor corbin is winning about not getting the job in pheonix
i can see one would want a better job but he is here just for the money and his
heart is not being here. i wish miller would say goodby corbin and hire hornacek
which seems to be a person who would stay.
fossil | 12:41 p.m. June 9, 2008
i should have stated, corbin is boobing or whining about being here.
Anthony | 1:11 p.m. June 9, 2008
Better move on and look forward to the next season. We have a talented team. The
organization has learnt from the past(I hope). The future is bright!!
Still, love Stockton, Malone and Hornacek.
Go Jazz!!!
Still, love Stockton, Malone and Hornacek.
Go Jazz!!!
Immortalized | 12:13 p.m. June 10, 2008
How many NBA championships do fans across the country remember vividly? Very
view. But the Jazz will be immortalized in those two NBA championships because
of Jordan. Your grandchildren, no matter where they live, will here about those
two NBA finals, which Jordan said were the toughest teams he ever faced. Even
though Chicago won, with the exception of a couple of games, it was basket for
basket. A couple of calls (Eisely's three pointer taken away, when replays
show he beat the clock, and Harpers three pointer, that should have been taken
away, come to mind, and the Jazz could of done it. I believe the highest rated
NBA game ever was between Jazz and Bulls, and the Bulls played against other
teams to win all their championships, so it wasn't entirely because of
Jordan, it was because these two teams were much better than the other NBA teams
in those two years, both teams rolled thru the playoffs.
Bano | 3:51 p.m. June 10, 2008
When two teams are fairly even in ability the refs can determine the outcome.
People forget that game two of the 98 finals was as bad as game 6. Stern wanted
the storybook ending for Jordan and after the Jazz won game one he wasn't
about to let the Jazz win game two to go up 2-0. We were totally hosed in game
two and then in game three Malone had two bogus offensive fouls in the first few
minutes and you could see the air go out of the team and this was the infamous
game we lost by 40. Played a little better in game four, then we won game
five.
Then of course Stern put the call to Bavetta to make sure the Bulls won in six, he didn't want to risk a game seven.
And don't anyone tell me to get over it. Never.
We were the best team and the series was fixed.
Just like Stern made sure the Finals was Lakers-Celtics this year. Kobe had 96 free throws against the Jazz, then 11 against the Spurs. Give me a break.
Then of course Stern put the call to Bavetta to make sure the Bulls won in six, he didn't want to risk a game seven.
And don't anyone tell me to get over it. Never.
We were the best team and the series was fixed.
Just like Stern made sure the Finals was Lakers-Celtics this year. Kobe had 96 free throws against the Jazz, then 11 against the Spurs. Give me a break.
Ernie | 11:11 a.m. June 11, 2008
If you watched the Jazz/Lakers series, the refs did enough to give it to the
Lakers. The NBA wanted the Celtics/Lakers. The Jazz would have been beat by
the Spurs and wouldn't have made the finals. Still, it was obvious that
the fix was in.
Set it straight. | 12:20 p.m. June 11, 2008
Malone had 31, 11 boards, and 7 assists in the final game. He shot 11-for -19
from the field, his best shooting performance in the Finals. He can't be
blamed for losing the series, he averaged 25 for the series. The year before as
an MVP, he disappeared, specifically in the Game 5 Jordan flu game, but people
forget Stockton missed the front end of a set of free throws that could've
tied it with under 10 seconds left. The first year Jordan deserved it, second
year we got duked by the NBA. As mentioned earlier, Eisley's three called
off, then Harper's three called on, thats a six point swing. People forget
Rodman's wrestling sequence with Malone in which no technical was called.
People forget Jordan getting put on the line on a phantom call on Shandon
Anderson, the best defender on Jordan in NBA history. Wish the NBA was more then
just money, because Utah isn't a great market, and why would the NBA want
for them to win in the money making scheme? Go Jazz
adam d | 1:52 p.m. June 11, 2008
Reading this has made me angry. Now I have to vent
Game 6 This year.
Right before the second half. Williams fouls Fisher? on a 3 pt shot. +3 pts (perhaps in retaliation to the crowd chanting referees suck)
Radmonivic pushes brewer out of bounds to prevent him from recovering a nearly stolen ball, no foul call. The lakers score 2 the following play. +5
Kobe bryant fade away, oops foul on Matt harprings NUTS! as they made contact with Kobe's foot. And 1. +8
Kobe running down the court straight-arms williams pushing him to the floor. Blocking foul on williams. free throws to Kobe. +10
THAT IS 10 PTS! ALL OF THESE PLAYS UNDER REVIEW WOULD HAVE GONE IN THE JAZZES FAVOR. RIDICULOUS.
I am not saying the refs should be perfect, but even if they had gotten half of these calls right it would have been anyones game. Maybe the Lakers would have still won, maybe not. Are the Lakers a better team? Nobody will ever know. Thanks Refs.
Game 6 This year.
Right before the second half. Williams fouls Fisher? on a 3 pt shot. +3 pts (perhaps in retaliation to the crowd chanting referees suck)
Radmonivic pushes brewer out of bounds to prevent him from recovering a nearly stolen ball, no foul call. The lakers score 2 the following play. +5
Kobe bryant fade away, oops foul on Matt harprings NUTS! as they made contact with Kobe's foot. And 1. +8
Kobe running down the court straight-arms williams pushing him to the floor. Blocking foul on williams. free throws to Kobe. +10
THAT IS 10 PTS! ALL OF THESE PLAYS UNDER REVIEW WOULD HAVE GONE IN THE JAZZES FAVOR. RIDICULOUS.
I am not saying the refs should be perfect, but even if they had gotten half of these calls right it would have been anyones game. Maybe the Lakers would have still won, maybe not. Are the Lakers a better team? Nobody will ever know. Thanks Refs.
Mike | 6:54 a.m. June 16, 2008
Who do I blame for Utah not winning a title?
Simple it's not the refs or even anyone on the jazz roster.
I put all the blame on Rony Seikley who utah had traded for but he refused to show up and utah was forced to negate the trade. I think they were trading foster, morris, and a draft pick for seikley. Seikely would have given utah a offensive threat at center giving them ostertag, seikely, and carr as the PF/C.
I truly believe if Seikely shows up then Utah wins a title. I know that is very hard to say and there is no way I can provide any evidence whatsoever.
Simple it's not the refs or even anyone on the jazz roster.
I put all the blame on Rony Seikley who utah had traded for but he refused to show up and utah was forced to negate the trade. I think they were trading foster, morris, and a draft pick for seikley. Seikely would have given utah a offensive threat at center giving them ostertag, seikely, and carr as the PF/C.
I truly believe if Seikely shows up then Utah wins a title. I know that is very hard to say and there is no way I can provide any evidence whatsoever.
Anonymous | 6:04 p.m. June 17, 2008
Fans forget that Jordan was cheating on defense when he stole the ball from the
Mailman. Jordan's man ran through a Malone pick. Jordan should have been
on his man who was on the wing. Instead Jordan didn't follow his man and
camped out in the key then stole the ball from Mailman. Jordan was great but if
the game was called fairly, the Jazz most likely would've won.
Cool Jazz an | 6:10 p.m. June 17, 2008
Losing Shandon Anderson hurt the Jazz. He may have become an All-Star with the
Jazz had he stayed. Undoubtedly the Jazz would have been much more competitive
with Anderson.
Add your comment
Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.
Words Remaining
E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.
Related content
- Today on TV 12:49 a.m.
- Wanted: Bank robber with bad breath 12:40 a.m.
- Philippine police clash with clan 12:28 a.m.
- Officer responding to call killed 12:28 a.m.
- Editorial: Fine-tune state workweek 12:18 a.m.
- Let's keep energy money in the U.S. 12:18 a.m.
- How to pay for the war 12:17 a.m.
- Feast of Guadalupe nourishes soul 12:17 a.m.
- Obama's strategy is a road map 12:17 a.m.
- Letters: 'Political priestcraft' 12:17 a.m.
- BYU and Utah's bowl games
- Y., U. to learn bowl destinations
- BYU professor remembered
- The forgotten ship: USS Utah
- Branch president without a congregation
- Utahns want health care reform bills
- Kurt Bestor: Joy for the world
- BYU basketball: Cougars crush Dons
- Jazz upset by Wolves
- Urn of baby rests with sailors
- Letters: Liberal because LDS
257 - Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing214
- Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry189
- Aggies shoot past Cougars179
- N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage130
- George lost in rivalry hatefest113
- TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl110
- Unbeaten BYU takes trip to Logan105
- Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony97
- Harpring's NBA career is over95
The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting (perhaps speculating) that Utah...
I got some e-mail from Aggie fans regarding a column I wrote last week...
Latest comments
Sorry earlier I meant to say that tracks seems to travel at 35 miles an hour...
'Peter Frumhoff, the director of science and policy at the Union of...
The Non-BCS crowd ought to create their own title game...their own brand, and...
That's the whole of your defense of GOP resistance to badly-needed ethics...
Your criticism should hardly be focused on Bennett alone. What about all the...
'Wired's Threat Level blog reported on November 20 that Gavin Schmidt, a...
The reality of climate change is supported by multiple lines of evidence and...
I had the priviledge of staying in the LeBaron home on severl occasions as I...
So the unemployment rate has dropped to "just" 10%, huh? I wonder what that...
Ahh for the love of money...what money can buy!!!
Advertisements