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SALT LAKE CITY -- For two straight games the Utah Jazz have welcomed back point guards that were instrumental in getting them the Western Conference Finals in 2007.
Derek Fisher and Deron Williams each returned this week to Utah after leaving the Jazz. They left at different times, and with different reasons and under different circumstances. They were fan favorites while wearing Jazz uniforms, but when they returned they played the role of villain.
Fisher left five years ago after just one year of playing with the Jazz. The Jazz let him go so he could take care of his daughter, but he joined the Lakers, which seems to be the unpardonable sin for Jazz fans.
Williams was looked at as the cornerstone of the franchise and the next great point guard to take up John Stockton's mantle. He led the Jazz to several playoff runs, but what Jazz fans might end up remembering him for is Jerry Sloan's retirement. Whether that is truly his fault may not matter to Jazz fans, only that Sloan is gone and Williams got traded soon after.
Both were booed upon return.
"Despite some of the ones that were booing, there are thousands and thousands in the community that were praying for us," Fisher said.
For Williams there was a contingent of Jazz fans that booed him every time he touched the ball upon his return with a 107-94 loss to the Jazz. But, much like Fisher, there were fans that respected what he did and cheered him. This was mostly evident after Williams would hit a free throw. The boos would quiet down and a cheer broke out.
"I didn't boo him, but I didn't cheer him either," said Tawny Larsen, a Jazz fan and ex-Williams fan, who was in attendance for the Jazz victory.
Williams said that he wasn't surprised with the mixed reaction upon his return.
"I got boos, I got cheers." Williams said. "I expected it."
While booing will happen some on Twitter have questioned whether Jazz fans should boo former players.
@paulcherrington tweeted "went to the jazz game tonight & was disappointed in crowd reaction to @deronwilliams Best of luck to #8 #NJNatUTA"
That is going to be the question for a while. How much booing is acceptable? Could this affect future free agents from coming to the Jazz? Or discourage young players from signing extensions? Or could it harm the Jazz reputation as a whole.
@AlecLam14 tweeted, "Just because of those few Jazz fans that booed D-Will, the whole country probably thinks JazzNation as a whole is classless. #NJNatUTA"
There were many booing based on Sloan's departure, but one tweeter pointed out a flaw in that.
"It was huge, I really appreciate them to come out and support me," Okur said. "They made me feel good tonight."
Sundiata Gaines came into the game late to a positive response from the crowd. The other two former jazz players, Kris Humphries and DeShawn Stevenson, were mostly booed in their action.
The Jazz have booed most players that have come back to Utah. Even the legendary Karl Malone received some boos when he returned with the Lakers.
KSL's Jeremiah Jensen, @JJSportsBeat, tweeted "I understand the emotions involved but I hope the majority of fans remember the great things Deron did for the franchise and community."
At the end of the day it will be up to every Jazz fan to choose what they remember and who they welcome back. There are no rules for being a fan. Every person will have to make their own choice. People in Philadelphia booed Santa Claus, so no one is off limits.
@JeremyinSP tweeted "Derons a big boy, he doesn't need the media nerds to protect him from a little booing. #NJNatUTA"
Fans have a right to boo and hiss and it remains to be seen how Wesley Matthews, of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Ronnie Price, now of the Phoenix Suns, are received by Jazz fans. Both were fan favorites, but left for different reasons.
Fans will have to choose who to cheer and who to boo.
