Jazz nation, you are weeping right now that Gordon Hayward has left for the Celtics. I am not going to offer consoling words, just reality. Before I do, at least read this, Gordon's words. Secondly, I think even Gordon would concede that the announcement wasn't handled in the way he wanted. He planned a careful and respectful announcement, but it was thwarted. At least he didn't get on national television and burn Utah. He was very gracious in his post. Move on. Finally, realize the facts about playing for the Jazz and being a fan of sports.
Yup, he’s getting booed. He owes Jazz fans nothing, Jazz fans owe him nothing.
Hayward leaving wasn't a slight against the Jazz fans. In his own words it came down to his relationship with Coach Brad Stevens and the chances for winning a championship. Booing a player for leaving in the fashion that Hayward left is childish. Utah is a very unique place and a franchise that players have a hard time dealing with. Salt Lake offers a lot, but also comes up short in many respects. Aside from just the city, the franchise has yet to win a championship. You may shake your head and say, "Who cares?", but there is something to a tradition of winning... no, a culture of winning championships. Celts have won before and know how to do it again. There is the expectation that it can be a reality. That's powerful.
Look at the current landscape of the NBA. The west is in an unparalleled arms race to combat the Warriors. The east is weak. Wether you like it or not Gordon's move to the Celts is smart. The best players in free agency have head west, while he is going east, thus increasing his chances of going to the finals. Why go through a gauntlet of hell when you just have to beat the Cavs to make it to the finals? Making the finals > not making the finals. You can never win a championship if you don't get to the finals. Thats bullet proof logic.
Just a heads up to potential jersey burners to do so away from dry vegetation this fire season
This NBA's free agency has been one of the most exciting I can remember in my lifetime. Franchise players are moving to new teams it seems every day (CP3, Paul George, etc.) and plenty of rumors to munch on. The contract values are highest they have ever been -- I think the leagues salaries are far outpacing inflation...
One player yet to make his final decision, and that has drawn a lot of national interest, has been Jazz Star, Gordon Hayward. He is weighing his options seriously, visiting the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics before making his final visit with the Jazz (check out this article on his rise). The question to me comes down to a simple would you rather: Would you rather be immortal or have a championship ring? This assumes that you won't have both.... which is reasonable. The Jazz have yet to get a title (and aren't likely to ever win one. They need a lot more than just Gordon..) and other teams are poised to capture a championship sooner. Let's go back to ancient Greek mythology to help us answer this question. See the video below:
You should know the rest of the story... Achilles goes to Troy. He died and his memory was forever cemented (I know this is just one version of the story, but this is a pretty damn popular one). I mean, Hollywood made a movie about Achilles with Brad Pitt portraying him. If Brad Pitt being you isn't immortality, I don't know what is. Look, finding the tree of life or the fountain of youth isn't going to happen, so the closest you can get to living forever is to have your memory and stories carried on about you forever. Death knows every man and woman, but we bury people and have a gravestone for a reason. Anyway, Achilles was a hero to his people first and then known to all. I would think a guy like Hayward has to consider this in his decision. He has to think about the stories that will be told about him after he is retired, or in other words, his legacy.
You want a more recent example? Legacy, that is what Blake Griffin wanted. He told the front office gents, "I want my legacy to be a Clipper." Wow, I find this so significant and interesting. I think this shows so much awareness of where he is in the historical arch of the NBA. There is an arms race to match the all mighty Warriors and Blake Griffin is saying, "Nah, build around me and I am keeping the red, white, and blue on." Pretty patriotic, right? These colors don't run, homie! I bet Balmer ate that up with his cheesy smile. What did Blake do with this move, regardless of the next five seasons? Immortality. Legacy. Whatever you want to call it. He placed himself as The Greatest Clipper of All-Time. Don't believe me? Name the greatest Clipper of all time? Couldn't, could you... Did you say CP3? Don't tell me you said Elton Brand. Chris Kaman?!! Bob Macadoo? Bet you had to google that last one (I had to!) So what if you did! Proves my point. There is not a deep history for Clippers nation. If we can project ourselves 15-20 years from now and I asked you that same question, what will you most likely say? Blake Griffin. Talk about seeing the future! Talk about self awareness! Keep making your silly commercials Blake, you get it. It isn't about the ring. There is a value in what Blake has chosen to do with his career. The prestige of having a lasting legacy is bigger than just a single ring on a team where he was just a contributor. If you say "Clipper" to me I will say, "Blake Griffin." If you ask me how many championships Sam Cassell won, I will say, "I have no idea. One? Two? That's the guy who looks like an Alien?" Am I belaboring the point yet? Do you see what I am getting at? Why chase a ring when you can live forever?
a billboard funded by fans of the Jazz
Chasing...that is what Hayward would be doing if he goes East. Yes, he goes to a playoff team (bc the East sucks), but it doesn't ensure he gets a ring. It is also a place where he is not the center of the team. He isn't going to be the face of the franchise (maybe more so in Miami, but they still have a ways to go to become a true contender.) There are plenty of players that didn't win a ring and are still considered in "the greatest players of all time" debate. I would say that it is more likely they will be included in that conversation if they stuck with a team for a considerable amount of time. You think of them and you think of their franchise; it's synonymous. Guys like Elgin Baylor (Lakers) Gary Payton (Sonics), Allen Iverson (76ers), Stockton/Malone (very relevant to this conversation... although I don't think the chose to just have legacy and no ring, which I do think the case is here for Hayward), Patrick Ewing (Knicks), Dominique Wilkins (Hawks), Reggie Miller (Pacers), Pete Maravich (another Jazz man!).... I hope you get the idea.
Here is how I see the facts for Gordon:
1) Gordon is LOVED by Jazz Nation. They bought a freaking billboard for him. They launched a campaign to keep him! HIM! No matter what place he goes to next, he will not be loved the same and he will not be THE face of the franchise for years to come.
2) If he leaves, he loses immortality. He will go down as one of the greatest Jazz players of all time if he stays. If you think that is a stretch just wait and watch him will the Jazz to a few more playoff runs in the very challenging West. Loyalty will pay huge dividends for him. To be part of the Jazz hall of fame is some great basketball company.
3) He is going to a place that doesn't guarantee anything other than an easier road to the playoffs in the East. He isn't going to win the whole thing with Boston or Miami, not yet at least (and honestly, beating a team from the west is going to be impossible with the any of the current suitors). If he wants a ring so bad, he could sign a short deal and go somewhere later that can deliver a ring immediately. I don't really think the grass is that much greener on the east coast.
4) He is not the type of player that will be legendary otherwise. Look at a guy like KG. He was going to have a legacy regardless of a ring. Great that he won a ring with Paul and Ray, but he was a HOF even with the Wolves. The reality of Gordon's situation is this: he has developed into a very fine player, a desirable asset, but his talents don't transcend a franchise. He isn't a KG type of player.
5) He gets paid basically the same.
The question is simple for Gordon. Do you want to live forever?
Yes? Say the magic words, "I want to be a Jazzman."
The Lakers have once again entered into the NBA finals. As this glorious event transpired, I realized that once again the Jazz fans will have to wait another year to get beat again. I really cannot wait for next year to be here. My goal is to be at the La game in SLC, sporting a Kobe jersey. I would love to wear that purple and gold, with a big 24 on the front, and have everyone haze me. Here is the thing though, I feel bad for Jazz fans. I do. I feel bad that they can't win. But at the same time, I want to punch every hard core jazz fan in the throat.
They are the most irrational people in the sporting world. Your typical Jazz fan is LDS and live in Utah, or they are just lds and have family in Utah. Their basketball IQ... pretty low. And for some fallacious reason, they hate the Lakers. I guess this is where I do not get it. Why? Why hate the lakers? "Its cause Kobe raped a girl...you gunna root for a rapist. And he is a ball hog. Oh, and Fisher, total jerk. He is a traitor! Plus they are like the Yankees of the NBA. Just jump on the bandwagon. Fetch man." I'll counter each of these ridiculous claims.
Kobe the Rapist. First of all, do most jazz fans understand what happened? No. Not at all. Just hear say, and that is what matters. First of all, the DA decided to prosecute him, not the victim. It was also found that she had relations with other men besides Mr. Bryant within that same week. He also admitted that he committed adultery. He went to trail... he didn't settle it out of court... and was dropping 40 on the Nuggets during the playoffs. Sounds like his guilty conscience really got to his game. If you hate Kobe, then you have to hate every person who has done that. Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamerlin, this list could go on and on, and those are just b-ball players. Oh... did I fail to quote some doctrine? Like love one another. Or it is required of us to forgive all men... if your perfect cast the first stone... how about hate the sin not the sinner. Or did most mix that last one up. Hate the sinner.
Or is it is game that you hate? Yeah, he is too good. Shoot. Might as well hate Johny Bravo and Brad Pitt.
Fisher the traitor. I am literally laughing right now. Give me a break. His daughter had a life threatening disease and the specialized hospitals were in NYC and LA. How dare he go back to a place he has already established residence. That isn't human. PALEASE! I have a name for you, KARL MALONE. The mailman quit working for the Jazz and went to LA to win a 'ship. Now, your Jazz icon went to the Lakers. Ouch. I guess he wanted to win one. Couldn't do it with the jazz. Sucks that a Tarheel was in the NBA at the same time as old Malone and Stockton. Just keep selling your cars while Jordan is selling his clothes. I guess I just lumped two arguments together. A side note, black players look better in the purple and gold.
Bandwagon jumper. I loved Kobe as soon as he left Lower Marion High in Pennsylvania. He was going to be the next MJ. He had a slow start, but I still loved his fro, spaceman boots, and silky fade away. I bet I know more about the Jazz then most Jazz fans. I guess I also like winning. Unlike rooting for a team that will never win. Get rid of J. Sloan, he ain't a winner. Get some real talent. All you have is heart and D. Will.
All in all, all of the Jazz fans arguments are lame. We have the loudest stadium...no that was Oklahoma this year. We have the most heart... yeah and you got swept... We are the best fans... and that is really helping. Get over it. You guys are competitive, but not winners. Quit being mad. Cub fans got over it. Just be happy with where you are, in the middle of the pile. Just sit back and watch a real team take it in the championship.
