More on Millsap

Courtesy of http://www.utahjazz360.com/danhansen/paul-millsap-chuck-norris/

Paul Millsap is effectively the most interesting man in the world. After his amazing 46 point performance, the Twitter world blew up about the greatness of one Paul Millsap. Here is what they are saying:

@espn700spence: And on the seventh day, Paul Millsap rested.

@JakeJeppsen: Paul Millsap is the “bag” that broke Boozer’s hand.

@UpprBowlJazzFan: Paul Millsap has legallly downloaded every Metallica song on Napster and Kazaa

@ScottyGKFAN: Paul Millsap just replaced Conan O’Brien on TBS.

@JGifford78: Paul Millsap just destroyed the BCS, welcome to a 16 team playoff!

@trevorfuchs: Paul Millsap proved Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, Evolution, and Global Warming all in one night.

@Igor1973: the worlds most interesting man doesn’t watch basketball often, but when he does, he prefers Paul Milsap.

@UtahJazzBlitz: Ya know the stereo system at Chucky Cheese that costs 3000 tix, that no 1 ever wins?#Millsap won enuff 2 buy it with 1 game of Pop a Shot.

@Lockedonsports: Arrived in Orlando. Paul Millsap flew the plane

@Bluemoon_76: Pat Riley goes to Paul Millsap for grooming and fashion tips…

@Bluemoon_76: Barack Obama dressed up as Paul Millsap for Halloween.

@theofficialddh: Millsap sent Chuck Norris back in time to try and help Bosh stop him and he still put up 46

@Clintonite33: Cleveland just declared November 9th “Paul Millsap Day.”

@jazzingitup: Ayn Rand just retroactively renamed her novel, “Millsap Shrugged”

@ScottyGKFAN: Cam Newton’s dad paid $200,000 for a chance to spend five minutes with Paul Millsap.

Diary of a Jazz Fan

The Jazz started a road trip tonight.

In Miami.

The score was 51-32 at the half.

Then Paul Millsap happened.

from Yahoo!

Paul Millsap led a comeback like I've rarely seen from the Jazz.  They were getting killed.  The Heat looked like the foreordained champs.  But Millsap wouldn't quit.  At the half he had 13 points, but then everything changed.  Millsap caught fire and the Jazz stormed back.  By the end of the game Millsap would finish with 46 points, most by a Jazz player since Karl Malone in 1998.  Wow!

By the end of the 3rd quarter it was a game again.  The Jazz actually took the lead early in the 4th period and from there it was a contest.  After erasing a 22 point lead it seemed improbable that the Jazz had anything left in the tank.  Down 8 and nearing the end of the game, everything seemed lost.  Millsap hit three 3 pointers in the final 30 seconds of regulation and the Jazz tied the score on a buzzer beater put-back from Millsap.  He was amazing and may turn into our best scorer this season.

Somehow the Jazz hung around in OT and with .4 seconds left the backup center hit a pair of free throws to give the Jazz the lead.  The heat tossed up a desperation miss and that was it.  The Jazz had won.

118-116 in Overtime.

I was thinking about great Jazz wins over the years and where this one ranks.  I'll say this.  During the 4th quarter I got texts from three different people asking me if I was watching the game.  Followed up by phone calls from even more people.  Everyone was watching and they wanted to share in the victory.  If that doesn't tell you this was a big game, I don't know what does.

Flashback 1992

Yesterday Jason brought over some old photos for me to look at. In the fall of 1992 my grandparents came to live with us for the last few months of their lives. Seeing this old photo reminded me how much I really loved spending time with them and how incredible it was to have them with us. I know I look like I'm in a mugshot, but this was a time of my life I'll never forget.

Diary of a Utah Fan

Yesterday started very early.

5:30 am early.

We were eager to head up to the Hill in anticipation of the Utes biggest game of the year. Everything was set up for success. We were 8-0 and ranked #5 in the country. A win against TCU would not only provide a conference championship, but a chance to play into the big game. The BCS kind of big game.

from Salt Lake Tribune

ESPN's College Game Day was in town for only the second time ever. In 2004 Chappo and I braved the cold to listen to Corso, Herbstrett, and Fowler predict the Utes to victory and a game in the Fiesta Bowl. This was even bigger.

There must have been thousands of people watching the broadcast. It was crazy. There were signs, posters, props, costumes. For us, GameDay involved a lot of screaming and cheering. Tons of booing (especially when there was talk of Alabama, TCU, or Boise St.). As a fan, it was pretty cool taking it all in. It seemed as though the Utes had arrived.

And then the game started.

I have never been to a worse Utah game in my LIFE!

TCU did whatever they wanted to on offense. TCU shut down everything we tried to do. Utah fumbled, missed tackles, blew coverage, threw interceptions. Everything that could go wrong did. In the end it was ugly.

from Salt Lake Tribune

TCU 47 - Utah 7

Honestly, I was surprised we even scored. We shouldn't have. TCU played like one of the best teams in country and Utah was exposed. A soft schedule. An unproven quarterback. A weak secondary. A big loss.

Death

A few days ago I learned that my cousin Kaydee's husband Pete had died suddenly due to a ruptured aorta valve. It was a shock to hear that someone so young was cut down in the prime of his life. Here was a guy, 31 years old, who leaves behind a wife and two young children. I didn't know Pete very well, but his death has been a real eye-opener to me. We are close to the same age, both with small children, and wives we adore.

How much do I value the people who are closest to me? I hope they know how much they mean to me. If not, I need to do a better job as a husband, a father, and a friend. Pete's death may seem so random and senseless, but it has really helped me to assess the things that matter most. Thanks Pete.

BTW - Pete's funeral was the most interesting one I've ever been to. Rather than wearing traditional Sunday best, the family requested that everyone show their love for Pete by supporting his favorite team, the Utes. So, rather than wearing a tie I showed up wearing my Utah hoodie. That was my kind of funeral.