Holly and I were fortunate enough to get some free tickets for tonight's
Utah Jazz/Portland Blazers game.... and to top that, they were on the 8th row. This is the closest I have sat at a Jazz game. It is a much more intense game, as a fan, when sitting this close. I generally enjoy college basketball more than the NBA, because the games are intense at any game, sitting anywhere in the arena. But, I now know, an NBA can be just as intense, you just need to sit close enough to see beads of sweat. We got the tickets from (stay with me) my brother-in-law's, high school friend's, brother's medical practice pool of tickets. I will lobby for those tickets from now on.
I was annoyed by the officiating. Throughout the night there were bad calls going both ways. After thinking about it for a while, that wasn't the problem, cause most of the calls were fouls or infractions. The problem was the inconsistency shown by the officials. Carrying the ball was called on one play (and it was carrying the ball), but the ball is carried all the time, they just don't call it.... same for traveling, and for personal fouls. I heard a slap on skin, as someone took a shot, that shocked me (and the two players involved) there wasn't a call, and the ref was right in front of me. I think if the officiating became more consistent, fans would complain less. Yes, even I will not stop complaining, but as long as it is consistent, we won't complain that the refs are trying to fix the game, making makeup calls, or giving calls to the stars. Just my thoughts about the officiating.
Unfortunately the Jazz lost, because they played horribly and couldn't buy a basket most of the game. Portland's Martell Webster killed us with 25 points. WHO, you ask? Yeah me too!, WHO? I texted a buddy at home and asked him "Who the he'll is Webster for Portland?" ('he'll' because, thats what the iPhone puts as a default entry when you type 'h e l l'). The Blazers were also killing us by playing zone defense. The Jazz are in a slump, 4 straight losses, and need to figure out a zone offense, but should be fine.
For those who don't get to see the Jazz on TV much, check out Deron Williams, he is AWESOME!. Watch him sometime, he is fun to watch, can run the team, give out assists and score when needed. He is one of the top five PG's in the league right now.