http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZS9yxJXhy8
Derek Fisher, in happier times in Utah.
Utah fans, I just want to start by saying that–I get it. I totally understand sports-hate. I know what it’s like to loathe the very existence of somebody or an entire franchise. If Paul Pierce saved my mother from death, I would probably be mad at my mom for choosing an extended life with Paul Pierce as a guardian angel over an honorable death. As an Ohio State student, I will never, in my life, ever associate with anybody from the University of Florida. I will never forgive them for stomping us into the next dimension in January of 2006. As a senior in high school, I once partook in chanting the name of the opposing team’s starting point guard’s dog. The messed up part was, he had ran over his beloved dog a mere 36 hours before the game. (I was as stupid as I was ruthless at the age of 17).
The thing about it is, it’s nothing personal. At the end of the day–it’s simply sports. There’s lines and boundaries you just don’t cross. And, without a doubt, you have crossed that line with your incessant booing, propaganda, and racist taunting of Derek Fisher.
And yes, Utah, when you end your insults with “boy”, you are sending a pretty clear message. It’s really no secret though, Jazz fans are known scumbags.
Last night, however, they took it to new and unforeseen heights. There were two females (pictured above) that wore “Fisher Lied” t-shirts. I have never seen a more desperate grab for attention in my life. (And I once had the misfortune of watching a Kardashian’s episode). I don’t even want to know what two overly-tanned twenty something females had to do to attain two court-side tickets for a play-off game. It would almost be funny if it wasn’t so pathetic.
Next: The story behind the Jazz/Fisher hatred…
Jazz fans are mad because Derek Fisher, who after his daughter was diagnosed with a rare form of eye-cancer, walked to the Jazz’s late owner Larry Miller, and had his 22 million dollar contract terminated so he could relocate to a city that had premiere cancer treatment facilities. So why would Jazz fans hate him? He signed with a team that wasn’t a contender (at the time) for less money. For the answer, lets turn to the beautiful prose of Utah fan, Matt Parker a.k.a. “ramskick“:
For everyone who is saying us jazz fans are ignorant for booing derek fisher, his daughter is getting treatment in new york, nuff said gosh
Yes, it’s true. Derek Fisher’s daughter gets a lot of her main treatment in New York City. (Her doctor’s partner is in LA, where they do day-to-day stuff). So, they think Derek Fisher used his daughter’s illness to… sign with a #7 seed that had just been dumped in the first round of the playoffs (for the second year in a row), its star player had just demanded a trade, and Kwame Brown was the starting center? He also diabolically used his daughter’s illness to cost himself 8 million dollars? And, as pointed out by Bill Simmons, that saved money allowed the Jazz to afford D-Will’s extension? Also, you guys do realize that you would be paying out the nose for a 34 year old back-up point guard, right? I mean, I’d understand if you didn’t have a cheap, promising back-up right now…. Oh, wait, you did. You traded Eric Maynor, owed all of 1.3 million dollars this year, to Oklahoma City for absolutely nothing. You basically gave him away to avoid that hefty luxury tax bill. And this is a team with Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, and a bunch of guys that could be playing overseas in three years. Their roster isn’t exactly teeming with talent.
Next: Isn’t this Fisher hatred a tad hypocritical?
Speaking of Carlos Boozer, did you know that, before coming to Utah, he backed out of an agreement he had with Gordon Gund, a blind man? And that you embrace this con artist now? Oh, it’s true. From Wikipedia:
After the 2003–04 NBA season, the Cavaliers had the option of allowing him to become a restricted free agent, or keeping him under contract for one more year at a $695,000 salary. The Cavaliers claim to have reached an understanding with Boozer and his agent on a deal for approximately $39 million over 6 years, which he would sign if they let him out of his current deal.
Cleveland then proceeded to release him from his contract making him a Restricted Free Agent. During this period, a few teams were also interested in signing Boozer, and Utah ended up offering a 6 year $70 million dollar contract that Cleveland chose not to match, since it would take them far over the salary cap.
….
In addition, the former Cavaliers owner Gordon Gund has said, “In the final analysis, I decided to trust Carlos and show him the respect he asked for. He did not show that trust and respect in return.”
Re-read that again, Jazz fans. And he didn’t have his daughter’s eye cancer to “hide behind.” Boozer didn’t leave under a mutually-agreed contract termination. He reneged on a deal to get paid, plain and simple. He’s going to do the same thing this summer. He’s going where-ever somebody wants to over-pay for an undersized power-forward that has consistently and continually struggled against taller, more athletic forwards. After being basically non-existent in what was probably his last game in a Jazz uniform (10 points, 14 rebounds, 6 fouls), his Escalade got crunched by the Lakers’ media bus. The Utah Jazz fans deserve to cheer for a guy like Carlos Boozer.
Come to think of it, the Utah Jazz fans deserve the basketball purgatory that they will forever be stuck in. They will be perennially good, winning much more than losing, but when the chips come down in the play-offs, they will be forever pulling up short. I think that’s the worst team in the world to cheer for. A team that gives you hope (true hope) only to kick you in the stomach every single year. Like a guy who stays with his psychotic, moderately attractive, shady girlfriend. You guys deserve everything you’re getting from the Jazz.
Next: You get what you deserve…
This isn’t an attack on anybody in the Jazz organization not named Carlos Boozer. They were over-matched every second of their play-off lives this year, and they survived until the second round. They played with heart and pride the entire series (basically the opposite road that the Atlanta Hawks took), and they have nothing to be ashamed about.
But Jazz fans… you deserved Derek Fisher’s Game 3 shot. 30 seconds left, Lakers trailing by 2, the crowd going completely ballistic, Kobe glided in to the lane and kicked it to Fish, who was surprisingly open given the circumstances. Actually, Kyle Korver was marking him, so it’s no surprise he was that open that late in the game.
I’m sure, if you think about it, you knew what was about to happen. And you were completely helpless as Derek Fisher cocked, loaded, and fired a 3-ball as Kyle Korver frantically attempted to close out on him.
I wish I could be inside your mind as that ball flew through Energy Solutions and dropped through the net. I bet most of you didn’t even have to look. I’m sure the empty feeling that had already formed in your stomach was all the verification you needed.
You deserved that. You deserved to have your hearts ripped out and sent home in tears by Derek Fisher. This man’s daughter had eye-cancer. Think about that for a second. Seriously, run that through your minds. This is one of the classiest members in the league. He’s the Player’s Association President. He’s a guy that CRIED when, your Utah Jazz’s owner, Larry Miller died. A guy that did nothing but give it his all for the Jazz every minute he wore the uniform. A guy that did absolutely nothing but good and positive things for your community when he was there. This is a guy you choose to boo and hate mercilessly? With all the knuckle-heads and numb-skulls in the world that sports allows you to senselessly hate, you choose Derek Fisher? How mentally deranged are you people?
Next: The future looks eerily similar for Utah fans…
Good things happen to good people, Utah Jazz fans. Just remember that. I have no doubt that somewhere, the Karma Gods are slapping their spirits-filled chalices together, laughing as Derek Fisher advances over your crushed souls and into basketball immortality. (And if he gets another ring this June–that’s exactly where he’s headed).
You guys have a lot of time to think this over. Your team won’t be playing until October. Think it over, this summer, as you watch Derek Fisher hopefully hoist his 5th Larry O’Brien trophy. For the record, that’s five more then your entire team has in its trophy case.
And if you choose to keep hating the Fish–that’s fine. He and I will await until we cross paths again next May as much as a Hammer patiently waits around for his old pal Nail.
Enjoy watching championship basketball, Utah. You deserve nothing less.