Note Worthy documentary on 50 year Jazz history

[Crunch 99]

I went to the free screening at the Delta Center of the new documentary on the 50 year history of the Utah Jazz last evening. It is worth checking out imo. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/08/08/utah-jazz-note-worthy-documentary

A few observations: I left convinced more than ever that Ryan Smith is seriously focused on trying to build a championship team, but I feel like we are farther away than ever. Ryan Smith is a very smart guy, but so is nearly every other NBA team owner. Honestly, I will be happily surprised if he brings Utah a championship in my lifetime. There will be some more good Utah Jazz teams that are fun to watch though.

There were a few noteworthy mea culpas in the documentary: Frank Layden saying he was wrong to stubbornly get in to an ego battle with Adrian Dantley after Dantley held out for a new contract, and wrong to get Dantley traded; 2024 Greg Ostertag practically in tears saying how much he regrets that he didn't bring a stronger work ethic alongside Karl and John to help the team get over the hump to win a championship; Deron Williams saying he was young, headstrong and immature when he clashed with Sloan, that Utah was his best years and that he still loves Utah and makes it his home part of the year.

AD and Deron were at the event, and took some questions from Bolerjack afterwards. Booner, Thurl Bailey and the documentary director - Rashad Floyd also took questions. Both AD and Deron were very positive about Utah.

[Crunch 99]

Karl and John were interviewed quite often in the documentary. Stockton was quite upbeat and appeared happy to be participating in the documentary. He said people sometimes comment to him how disappointing it must be to have got to the Finals twice, but never won the championship. Stockton's answer was something along the lines of "Hey, it is hundreds times more personally satisfying to have competed all the way to the NBA Finals than to have never reached the Finals at all. I am good with it."

Both Stockton and Malone gave it their all and then some, and should have no regrets.

[Catchall]

The next time the Jazz have an MVP-caliber player on their team will be the next time they genuinely compete for a chip. That's ultimately what it boils down to.