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SALT LAKE CITY — Ahh, the NBA Playoffs are finally here.
Some of my favorite Utah Jazz moments come from watching the playoffs. Who doesn't get the chills hearing national TV broadcaster Greg Gumbel declare, "John Stockton sends the Utah Jazz to the NBA Finals" after Stockton hit a game winning three-pointer against the Houston Rockets in Game 6 of the 1997 Western Conference Finals?
With the Jazz back in the playoffs getting ready to face San Antonio on Sunday in Texas, it's time to take a stroll down memory lane, specifically to good old 1985 (I hope at least a few of you appreciate the subtle reference to Back to the Future here).
The Jazz were in a 2-2 first round series tie with their playoff rival - the Houston Rockets. After a long practice and preparations for Game 5 in Houston, how did Jazz players John Stockton, Rich Kelley, Bobby Hansen and Pace Mannion choose to relax and focus on the upcoming matchup? In a hot tub, of course.
Former KSL Sports anchor and broadcasting legend Jim Nantz talked with the players about the playoff series and got an unexpected surprise at the end of the interview. Make sure you watch until the end of the video - you won't want to miss this.
The Jazz went on to beat the Rockets and advance to the Western Conference Semifinals.
What are your favorite Jazz moments? Tweet me your responses @rojackKSL.
Bubba Watson hits spectator with hooked drive
I admit, I am a terrible golfer.
My biggest fear out on the course is hitting someone or something with an errant tee shot.
During Friday's second round of the Zurich Classic, Masters champion Bubba Watson did just that, striking one of his fans in the head with an errant tee shot.
The contact was hard enough to draw blood on the back of the spectator's head.
Radd Leonard, a 52-year-old motorcycle shop owner from Baton Rouge, had come to the tournament specifically to see Watson play, making the story incredibly ironic.
Watson walked over and gave Leonard a signed golf glove and shook his hand. It was the least he could do, after all, because the ball ended back on the fairway after striking Leonard's head.
"I saw it coming and it looked like it was hooking right at me. I wanted to see that big hook, you know, and I got to see it. I turned and ducked and it still hit me," Leonard said. "It gave him a good bounce, anyway."
Watson's caddie drew laughter from the fans when he pointed further down the fairway and said, "We're glad you're all right, but if you could just angle your head a little differently ..."
Leonard was able to finish watching the tournament after medics wrapped a bandage around his head. Officials also gave him a new red golf shirt to wear.
"I'll be all right," Leonard said. "As long as I didn't black out, I figured everything was OK."
Goodbye New Jersey, Hello Brooklyn
It has been a very long time since Brooklyn housed a major league professional sports team, dating all the way back to when the Dodgers moved to L.A. after the 1957 season.
After 55 years, Brooklyn is set to finally be a home to a professional sports team again.
Developer Bruce Ratner purchased the New Jersey Nets and plans to move the Nets to a 18,000-seat Barclays Center as part of the Atlantic Yards development. After years of delays caused by community opposition and financial difficulties, the arena is set to open in September 2012. After the move, the Nets will take on the name of their new home, becoming the Brooklyn Nets.
On Friday, the Nets released a new logo and some apparel.
The simple and clean look should leave Nets fans rejoicing. Maryland, take notice, you might be able to learn a thing or two.
