OLD "MO"

Oh momentum you fickle, fickle thing. You seemed securely set with the Jazz until Deron Williams shot was blocked and time ran out at the Energy Solutions Arena late last night. Where have you gone old “Mo” a Jazz nation turns its lonely eyes to you? I was up late working on a project for school, but recorded the game on Tivo. Yet, even without watching live, I could almost sense the panic that filled the Wasatch Front at about 11:00 pm last night. The series now sits at 2-1, Jazz.

For me, the start of every seven game series is the same. In game one, you as a fan are trying to figure out your emotions just as the two teams are trying to figure out each other. You want to care, but it is not life or death. You’re upset if your team losses game one, but there are six chances left. You’re not going to lose sleep over it. Game two is more vital. The hate that was established by a bad call, hard foul, or perceived feeling of disrespect in game one, now begins to boil. Lose game one and two and you’re in a very deep hole. A split feels good, especially if you are the road team. A 2-0 lead, and you start watching the other series to see who your next opponent will be. At 2-0, old “mo” is your loyalist friend. He makes you laugh. He makes you feel good about yourself. He makes you proud to be a sports fan. Oh “mo”, you fickle, fickle man.

The Jazz came home from Houston with an unthinkable 2-0 lead in the series. Sports talk radio was a buzz, car flags were flying out of Fanzz stores, and billboards began to read “We Love Our Jazz.” “BEAT L.A., BEAT L.A., BEAT L.A.!!!!” Uh Jazz fans, didn’t you forget something? Oh yeah …those two meaningless games in Utah. There was no magic at the ESA last night. Williams couldn’t see Boozer and his shot didn’t find the bottom of the net. Series, 2-1. There will be another game in Houston. “HEY MO!” “Where do you think you are going?!?”

2-1 becomes too close for comfort after a 2-0 lead. Suddenly fans with tickets to Saturday’s game aren’t just “takin’ in a ball game.” They are in an all out pressure cooker. If the Jazz win (which I will bet dollars that they do), they will be up 3-1. Ah, it’s good to see you again “Mo.” If they lose, the series will be 2-2, with two games left in Houston. In this case, old “Mo” will be known as the biggest two-timing whore you have ever met! At 2-2 . . . old “Mo” will have chosen his lot – the Rockets. He will never come back.

I think “Mo” is just checking out the scenery. Looking for some adventure in life. Saturday night he will find himself back on the Jazz bench with a 3-1 lead.

At least I think. . . Oh “Mo” you fickle, fickle thing.