I am not a Mormon. I am not from Utah.

When the actual question comes varies. Sometimes it's when people see me sporting the shorts (home whites and away blues! - thanks Ebay!) or when they spot the action figures. Since I don't take my action figures to class (most of the time), the question comes when people see my laptop wallpaper.

Regardless of when it comes, it always comes the same way. People sort of scrunch up their face and cock their head and say something to the effect of "the Utah Jazz?! Why the Jazz?"

Let me put some things to rest before we delve into the greatness of the Utah Jazz. I am neither a Mormon, nor am I from Utah. (though I have been there with my super awesome wife who got me INCREDIBLE tickets for Christmas! - yay Jesus!)

I'm not sure exactly when it was - sometime in middle school - but I remember flipping on the TV and watching the beauty of the Jazz. I was instantly hooked, with alot of credit going to the man-made moxie that motored the team.

The Jazz offense is artwork in motion. It is five guys committed to a common cause - each moving with precision and vigor to either get themselves or a teammate open. The Jazz offense is constant cutting and ball movement, with screens and backscreens designed to open up the floor for a layup or an open jumper. DO take your eye off the ball - you'll miss out on how that shooter got so beautifully wide open before draining that pretty j. There are no egos here - everyone is active whether they're pulling the trigger or not.

I could, in this space, deliver to you the playbooks of about 25 of the NBA's 30 teams. Here's a sample:
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Cleveland: Give the ball to LeBron.

Houston: Give the ball to Tracy McGrady. If Tracy covered, pass to Yao Ming. If double team comes, kick ball to open shooter. Rinse. Repeat as necessary.

Orlando (for Jeremiah): Throw up akward shot. Trust Dwight Howard will rebound and slam home.

Washington (for Dana): Give the ball to Gilbert Arenas. Get out of way.
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I have way too many papers to write to delve into the theological and life lessons held in the intricacies the Jazz offense. But if you get a chance to put down whatever you're doing tonight, you should definitely set aside some time to appreciate art tonight at 9:00 against the Golden State Warriors on TNT. If you can't do that, check out some quality video capturing and commentary here.



Other stuff: Saw this coming; how ridiculous is this?; this is pretty cool I guess. This band makes me want to be from California.