Utah Jazz YouTube Rabbit Hole: Hammer Dunk Edition

By Ryan Aston | Feb 26, 2015

Feb 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; NBA legend Karl Malone speaks as he honored with the Community Service award during the 2014 NBA All-Star Game Legends Brunch at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

So, they lost. In a game against the Los Angeles Lakers that I felt was something of a measuring stick for our team on the rise, the Utah Jazz had a let down. While I’m not the kind of guy to let the outcome of any one game affect my overall perception of the team too much, I must confess—this one stung a bit. So when one feels the barbs of a bad loss slowly penetrating their psyche and the rage is swelling up within them, how does one go about reclaiming their chi?

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If you’re me, you immerse yourself in a Utah Jazz YouTube rabbit hole; a veritable bonanza of good mojo to chase the bitters of one of the most disappointing performances in recent memory. A palate cleanser of Jazz goodness sure to leave any fan feeling all soft and fuzzy inside.

Kicking things off, in an effort to release the aggression before it becomes all-consuming, how about a HAMMER DUNK from the franchise’s all-time greatest player right in the grille of our most reviled antagonists. Courtesy of KSL Sports, I bring you the Mailman:

This huge steal and monster jam came in a triple-overtime thriller against the Chicago Bulls in February of 1992. The Jazz were able to withstand Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen combining for 60 points for a 126-123 victory on the collective backs of three amazing all-around performances by their star players.

Karl Malone dropped 34 points, grabbed 21 boards, dished out five assists and nabbed two steals in the game to lead the way. John Stockton finished with 19 points, 12 assists, five rebounds and four steals. We’ll forgive his eight turnovers given the extended minutes. Meanwhile, Jazz center Mark Eaton was able to turn back the clock slightly, scoring 14 points on a perfect five-for-five from the field, grabbing 13 rebounds and blocking six shots.

It’s a lot to ask of the young Frenchman, but it’s hard not to think that Eaton’s performance and overall impact on the game offers us a glimpse into the future of Rudy Gobert. Speaking of which, remember the days before the great Lakerpocalypse; when Gobert was dunking on everybody and the Jazz were world-beaters?

I want to live in that time. A time when my only thoughts of the Lakers were this:

I know, I know. We are Purple & Blues, the Lakers game is in the past and the Jazz are looking ahead to the Denver Nuggets. Still, this is my YouTube rabbit hole, and I can’t resist the chance to shovel dirt on the purple and gold. Stephen A. Smith was spot on in his assessment of the situation.

As for Utah, Quin Snyder’s team is trending in the right direction despite last night’s result. Even in defeat, the play of Gobert, Elijah Millsap and, at times, Rodney Hood, gave the Jazz faithful something to hold onto. Hopefully that effort translates into a win against the discontented Nuggets.

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