3.19.2012

Old School Utah Jazz

I felt like this post is incredibly appropriate due to recent events in the magical world of NBA. 
Dave and I caught a game, thanks to a generous coworker. Row 13 vs. the Pistons. Amazing.
Despite the recent games and lovely faces like Al Jefferson and Raja Bell. I can't catch the fever, not when the golden age still lingers in my memories. The age when the only real competition was Michael Jordan and the blasted red jerseys of the Chicago Bulls.
I was a die hard fan. Around ten or eleven, I loved the Jazz more than any sane young girl should. Instead of galvanting with dolls or disney princesses, I fell in love with John Stockton and the "Mailman". I shot hoops for hours and had my own court dreams.
One hot day at Bear Lake I was able to meet one of the famed golden-agers: Jeff Hornacek.
My family arrived for our annual vacation in what felt like a bus full of people, but in reality was probably a small minivan and a sedan. My mom believed in making our own food and so our small trip took at least three boxes of just food to feed our little Tate tribe.
While lugging boxes and dufflebags, my sister-in-law leaned down to me and said she saw Jeff Hornacek walking about the stairs. I almost dropped the box.
I quickly shoved it up the stairs and ran to grab another, in haste of seeing one of my basketball idols. My dad was walking with me when we saw him walk near. I couldn't even look at him I was so nervous.
My dad leans in to talk to him and I flinched, praying he wouldn't say it. It was too late, the words were out before I could stop him, "Hey Horna-check! Good season this year eh?"  NOOOO! My fragile pre-teen world was shattered. My embarrassing dad just ruined my life, mispronouncing Jeff's name.  I couldn't even recover for an autograph. I just hurried up the stairs and let a little part of me die inside.
My brush with Jazz fame sometime in the 1990's still stands magical, despite my silence and my dad's cheesy flub. Oh Hornacek, forgive my dad and I. I am guilty of loving the Jazz too much. My dad was guilty of not loving them at all...or any sport for that matter.

1 comment:

  1. I was a fan of both teams back then. More of a bulls fan though to be honest. I wish I could of seen games earlier than my time, to see Wilt Chamberlain, Pistol Pete, Larry Bird, and countless others would have been AMAZING. A lot of really skilled players back in the day.

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