Jazz 110, 76ers 107
Few topics have inspired as much reaction as the booing of Derek Fisher when he returned to EnergySolutions Arena as a member of the Lakers on Nov. 30. We had Round 2 on Wednesday night, when Jazz fans unleashed five seasons of fury on Gordan Giricek.
Giricek was actually smiling when he sat at the scorer's table in the first quarter waiting to check in and friend Jarron Collins joined him. He heard more boos than cheers when he entered the game and then all boos every time he touched the ball.
In fact, the only time Giricek was cheered was when he traveled at the end of the half (Jazz fans have seen that stutter step over and over) and when Mehmet Okur fouled him hard on the fast break in the second half.
You can draw your own conclusions about Fisher and the circumstances that led to his departure. But Jazz fans are in danger of gaining a reputation around the league for being classless in the wake of what happened with Giricek.
He never realized his potential with the Jazz and he frustrated Jerry Sloan to no end, but Giricek did play in Utah for three full seasons and parts of two others. He was here for the 26-56 season in 2004-05 as well as the run to the Western Conference finals.
Just being around him for a couple of months, I thought it was obvious he didn't have a mean bone in his body. He was definitely on his own wavelength, but he was happy with coming off the bench as long as he had a meaningful role on the team.
I can't see how it's worth booing when the trade was so obviously win-win for all sides. Kyle Korver is a more well-rounded player that Giricek - - a lethal three-point shooter, an automatic foul shooter, a smart passer and a better-than-advertised defender.
The Sixers get salary-cap space once Giricek's contract expires after this season. Giricek gets the rest of the season to audition around the league for a new deal. If Jazz coach Jerry Sloan can wish Giricek well, then shouldn't the fans be able to as well?
If you missed it in Wednesday's paper, Giricek even said that he appreciated the support from fans over the years and said he thought they were great. You can do what you want if you buy a ticket, but I thought it was a classless move.
(It even looked like there was a sign across the way in the arena with a checklist of Jazz goals for the season. Trading Giricek was No. 1 with a big X through it.)
It's easy to forget that NBA players are human just like the rest of us. Both Giricek and Kyle Korver have had their lives turned upside down. I changed jobs in a matter of two days last spring and drove out here from Los Angeles. It was absolutely the worst.
Giricek was clearly rattled by the crowd reaction and missed two shots before hitting a three-pointer in the third quarter. He was asked after the game if he thought he was going to get booed.
"Honestly, I didn't," Giricek said, "but it's always good. I like playing in this atmosphere, your adrenaline goes up and it gives you more momentum to play well."
I'm sure there are plenty of thoughts on the subject.
* * *
There was a loud and lively discussion going on in the Jazz locker room after the game. Carlos Boozer specifically was wondering whether there was a power forward combination in the league putting up numbers as impressive as him and Paul Millsap.
Boozer's averaging 24 points and 11.4 rebounds and Millsap 8.8 points and 5.9 rebounds after Wednesday's game. That's a combined 32.8 points and 17.3 rebounds. Boozer asked if I could think of another two and after a moment I countered with Zach Randolph and David Lee on the Knicks.
As it turns out, Randolph and Lee are averaging 28.3 points and 18.1 rebounds. Fewer points but more rebounds. I scanned the NBA depth charts looking for another combo to run and couldn't find one. This is sure to make Boozer happy.
--Ross Siler
Giricek was actually smiling when he sat at the scorer's table in the first quarter waiting to check in and friend Jarron Collins joined him. He heard more boos than cheers when he entered the game and then all boos every time he touched the ball.
In fact, the only time Giricek was cheered was when he traveled at the end of the half (Jazz fans have seen that stutter step over and over) and when Mehmet Okur fouled him hard on the fast break in the second half.
You can draw your own conclusions about Fisher and the circumstances that led to his departure. But Jazz fans are in danger of gaining a reputation around the league for being classless in the wake of what happened with Giricek.
He never realized his potential with the Jazz and he frustrated Jerry Sloan to no end, but Giricek did play in Utah for three full seasons and parts of two others. He was here for the 26-56 season in 2004-05 as well as the run to the Western Conference finals.
Just being around him for a couple of months, I thought it was obvious he didn't have a mean bone in his body. He was definitely on his own wavelength, but he was happy with coming off the bench as long as he had a meaningful role on the team.
I can't see how it's worth booing when the trade was so obviously win-win for all sides. Kyle Korver is a more well-rounded player that Giricek - - a lethal three-point shooter, an automatic foul shooter, a smart passer and a better-than-advertised defender.
The Sixers get salary-cap space once Giricek's contract expires after this season. Giricek gets the rest of the season to audition around the league for a new deal. If Jazz coach Jerry Sloan can wish Giricek well, then shouldn't the fans be able to as well?
If you missed it in Wednesday's paper, Giricek even said that he appreciated the support from fans over the years and said he thought they were great. You can do what you want if you buy a ticket, but I thought it was a classless move.
(It even looked like there was a sign across the way in the arena with a checklist of Jazz goals for the season. Trading Giricek was No. 1 with a big X through it.)
It's easy to forget that NBA players are human just like the rest of us. Both Giricek and Kyle Korver have had their lives turned upside down. I changed jobs in a matter of two days last spring and drove out here from Los Angeles. It was absolutely the worst.
Giricek was clearly rattled by the crowd reaction and missed two shots before hitting a three-pointer in the third quarter. He was asked after the game if he thought he was going to get booed.
"Honestly, I didn't," Giricek said, "but it's always good. I like playing in this atmosphere, your adrenaline goes up and it gives you more momentum to play well."
I'm sure there are plenty of thoughts on the subject.
* * *
There was a loud and lively discussion going on in the Jazz locker room after the game. Carlos Boozer specifically was wondering whether there was a power forward combination in the league putting up numbers as impressive as him and Paul Millsap.
Boozer's averaging 24 points and 11.4 rebounds and Millsap 8.8 points and 5.9 rebounds after Wednesday's game. That's a combined 32.8 points and 17.3 rebounds. Boozer asked if I could think of another two and after a moment I countered with Zach Randolph and David Lee on the Knicks.
As it turns out, Randolph and Lee are averaging 28.3 points and 18.1 rebounds. Fewer points but more rebounds. I scanned the NBA depth charts looking for another combo to run and couldn't find one. This is sure to make Boozer happy.
--Ross Siler
1:48 AM
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4 Comments:
It was a shame seeing Giri booed like that. Watching the game from home I felt helpless in the misrepresentation of Jazz fans that was taking place. At least I hope it was a misrepresentation... there was no foundation to that kind of reception for Giricek. On behalf of many others like myself I wish Gordan the best and thank him for his time with the Jazz.
I agree with both Siler and sactosander. While I was happy to see Giri go and happy at what we got in return, why boo Giri? He's a good guy who needed a change of scenery. I'm cheering for him to succeed in Philly and feel bad he got booed.
In what should have been a yawner, or a "golf clap" that is kind of surprising, and then maybe not so much. Perhaps it was because the trade is so recent? But it's probably more just a reflection of who Utahns really are.
Lighten up. Booing is fun. These guys are professionals. Now if we could perfect a bronx cheer instead ...
P.S. Could Luhm hear the irony in the booing or was he too far away?
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