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SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah Jazz's season has been a surprise for many as the young team continues to win and exceed expectations. Many fans worried they wouldn't have a season at all, but since the lock-out was resolved fans have been treated to great games at the Energy Solutions Arena with Kobe and the Lakers, the high-flying "Lob City" and a blow-out win against former Jazz-man Deron Williams and the New Jersey Nets.
The Jazz have a big game Saturday against the struggling Kings, but it's not the Kings themselves that make this game a big deal, it's the guard who comes off the bench that makes this a marquee match, Jimmer.
Jimmer Fredette is headed to the Energy Solutions Arena for the first time as an NBA player.
Jimmer became a household name last year as he lead the BYU Cougar basketball team to a Sweet 16 finish and swept the National Player of the year awards. Now, the hometown hero is coming home and it's causing some problems for people.
Die hard Jazz fans couldn't help but jump on the Jimmer band wagon last year and they are excited to see him play in Utah. But his return is putting some fans in a tricky situation.
"As a Jazz fan I want the Jazz to win, but I wouldn't be disappointed to see Jimmer go off," said ksl.com managing editor Josh Furlong, who covered Jimmer his senior season. "I want him to show to fans that he can play to that level."
"I want Jimmer to drop 20, but I want the Jazz to win by 30," said KSLTV executive producer and rabid Jazz fan Chris Moore.
But when asked what was more important, the Jazz winning or Jimmer playing well, he responded without hesitation, "Jimmer playing well. I want to see him play well."
This seems to be a common conundrum in our community. Fans go through this kind of thing all the time when the Utes and the Cougars meet up on the gridiron or the hardwood.
Jazz vs. Jimmer
Win tickets to watch the Jazz take on Jimmer and the Kings
Jimmer & the Sacramento Kings are headed to town to take on the Utah Jazz and we want you to be there. All you have to do is "Like" our page and follow these easy steps and the pair of lower bowl tickets could be yours! ($330 value)Dan Dupaix is a football coach and teacher at Herriman High School and he knows the pangs of watching the Utes and Cougs battle it out better than just about anybody.
Dupaix graduated from Utah and played rugby for his school. It's hard to find a bigger Ute fan. But Dupaix is in a tight spot. His father, legendary high school coach, Roger Dupaix, played for the Cougars and his older brother, Joe Dupaix, is currently the running backs coach for the Y.
Dupaix said the first thought that came into his head when his brother got the coaching job was, "September is going to be nuts."
He explains, "I didn't want to wear blue to the game, but I also didn't want to wear red. So, I wore my Herriman Mustangs stuff. The navy and cardinal; I stayed neutral."
Dupaix said the football game in 2011 was tough to watch because inside he was cheering, but outwardly he was saying, "You've got the next one."
Dupaix made sure to point out that, "When it comes down to it, I'll always support family over school."
We can see that this is an ongoing battle between Utes who bleed blue or Cougs who are dyed in the red, and now, it appears we can add one more problem in the sports fan's conundrum, Jimmer-maniacs whose heart beats for the Jazz.
Sports Beat producers Dave Noriega and Matt Glade both love the Jimmer and their Jazz. They both want to see Jimmer drop 50, but they differ on what's more important, a great show by the former Cougar or a W for the home team.
Glade says, "You've got to go for the win." While Noriega thinks, "You can always win a game, but this is Jimmer's first trip back. It needs to be a good one."
Whether you love the Jazz and the Jimmer, or if you can't stand one or the other it doesn't matter, because the Jimmer Show is back in town and keeping the roof on the Energy Solutions Arena may prove difficult come Saturday night.
