Philadelphia fans are known to be brutal. Throwing snow balls at Santa Claus, booing their franchise players, and cheering when opposing players get injured are just several infamous occasions in which the City of Brotherly Love didn't live up to its name.
But that's nothing compared to some of the disgusting fans in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Last season, Derek Fisher was a hero in Utah. His eleven-month-old daughter, Tatum, had just been diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare type of eye cancer. She had needed an emergency three-hour surgery and chemotherapy at New York Presbyterian Hospital.
Choosing to be with her during surgery, Fisher wasn't sure he would be able to attend Game 2 of the team's second-round series against the Golden State Warriors. Upon landing back in Salt Lake City following the surgery, Fisher got the news that Jazz starting point guard Deron Williams was in foul trouble and his backup, Dee Brown, was seriously injured during the early stages of the game. Fisher knew he had to be there for his team.
He arrived at the stadium during the third quarter and was given a standing ovation. Fans and players alike were showing him a lot of respect and it was a feel-good moment as a sports fan. Fisher later hit a shot that sent the game into overtime, allowing the Jazz to ultimately win the game.
After the Jazz were knocked out of the playoffs in the Western Conference Finals by the San Antonio Spurs, Fisher talked to management and asked to be released. He knew he couldn't keep flying to New York or Los Angeles from Utah to get his daughter treatment. He needed a situation that allowed him to play close to a treatment center so he could be there for his team and family, not have to choose and miss time like he did throughout the 2008 playoffs.
After weighing his options, he decided to return to the Lakers in Los Angeles, where he was drafted in 1996 and played for eight seasons before signing with the Warriors in 2004. He became the team's starting point guard and a mentor for the Lakers' young guards: Jordan Farmar, Javaris Crittenton, and Coby Karl, who had only one year of NBA experience combined.
Midway through the season, Los Angeles traded for Pau Gasol and became an instant favorite in the Western Conference. The Lakers went on to finish the regular season with 57 wins for the top seed in the Western Conference. After a sweep of the Denver Nuggets in the first round, Los Angeles' next opponent was the Utah Jazz.
Crossing an unwelcoming old path
Los Angeles won the first two games of the series in the Staples Center thanks to the Lakers' home-court advantage. Then things got nasty.
Leading in the series, 2-0, the Lakers arrived in Salt Lake City on May 9 and, as they took the court, boos filled the stadium for Derek Fisher. Had they forgotten everything he had done for their team? Didn't they realize why he had to leave and what he was going through? But the story doesn't end there.
Utah won Game 3, but in Game 4, things got worse.
As Derek Fisher went to the line to shoot a free throw after a technical foul, a fan behind the basket covered his right eye and began screaming at the Lakers point guard.
"It's a classless, immature grown man who represents the majority of Utah fans," said Lakers fan Matt Azzam, 20, after seeing the picture. "Like all teams, there are some rowdy fans, but Jazz fans cross the limits. They don't realize [Jazz owner Larry] Miller let Fisher go from his contract and that he made the move to L.A. for his family."
When shown the picture, some Jazz fans were also embarrassed. Jordan Raygoza, 17, said, "Of course [it's crossing the line], because it's a personal matter for Fisher and he did a lot for Utah last year through his problems."
This isn't all, though. Several fans who attended the game have said that some Jazz fans were chanting "cancer" over and over again when Fisher touched the ball or shot free throws.
"If it is true, and the fans did chant 'cancer,' it is absolutely heartless of them," Azzam said.
"There is a moral boundary that anyone with common sense should know and not cross, and the Jazz fans obviously don't have any regard for Derek Fisher, his family (especially his daughter), and anyone who has suffered from cancer. To make a mockery of such a life-threatening issue is 100 percent morally wrong, and there is no justification for it."
Implications and history
For a group of people to chant something so insensitive is just disgusting to me. What if Derek Fisher's daughter had been in attendance at the game? How would she feel when she sees people covering their eyes and screaming or hearing the chants of cancer?
"It's a pretty disgraceful thing to do and I'm sad to be a fellow Jazz fan," Raygoza said.
This isn't the first time something like this has happened in Utah, either. Last year, during the Golden State series that I talked about earlier, fans apparently shouted racist comments at African-American players on the Warriors.
Talking about the difference between playing at home compared to on the road during the series against the Jazz, Warriors forward Stephen Jackson said, "Well, we're not hearing racial slurs, we're not hearing people wishing for me to go to jail. That's the difference for me. I'm loved here in Oakland."
Jason Richardson said he and his teammates were caught off-guard by the slurs.
"That was something new. It shocked all of us," he said. "We weren't expecting that. I mean, [Jazz fans] were trying to get into our heads any way they can, but I couldn't believe anybody would stoop that low. It's nonsense."
Whether it's taunting a life-threatening illness or lobbing racial slurs, the Utah Jazz have some very disturbing fans. For someone to be able to chant and yell things like that and still feel alright with themselves is sickening.
"In all my years as a sports fan, yes this is [the most disgusting display of character]," Azzam said.
"Being an avid baseball fan, I've seen syringes being thrown on the field. Being an avid Lakers fan, I've seen signs made about Kobe being a rapist. That's fine, but when you bring up something that Fisher had no control over and make a joke out of it, it's disgusting. The Utah Jazz organization needs to come out and release an official apology to the family of Derek Fisher."
And while these fans think they are helping their team, they're actually giving the Lakers' players and fans motivation to beat them.
"It would bring ultimate satisfaction to close this series up in Utah and shove it up the crowd's ass," Azzam said. "I've got respect for the Jazz players, but the crowd has absolutely no respect from me. I would give almost anything to end this series in Game 6 with a purple-and-gold ass-whopping."
Basketball is just a game, but what some fans of the Utah Jazz are doing goes beyond the scope of the 94-foot court. These are truly the most disgusting fans in the NBA, and it sickens me that there are people actually like this in the world.
If you have a question or comment regarding this article, feel free to shoot Alex an email at swishkennedy@yahoo.com.
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4 months ago
I am a total huge jazz fan...and i definitely agree, that the majority of the fans went over the limit. For the crowd to be chanting that word, it is very obsurd. Although I don't know about the ass whopping on the jazz, which i think that the jazz have a chance in this series...lol...but to make fun of a personal matter, is extremely uncalled for. That has nothing to do with the series, and these fans need to realize it. Its playoffs and yes, its very huge, but to do something like that is horrible!! Fisher has done alot for this jazz team and if it wasn't for him, the team wouldn't have gone to the western conference finals last year, something that williams and boozer never experienced. I'm a jazz fan because i simply support the jazz team. I don't agree with the actions they make, and its pretty sad when you are very embarrased to represent a crowd who have no morals and are very disrespectful. This is all about the game, not the players personal matter.
from 4 months ago
This is the most rediculous crap I have ever heard. Yes Jazz fans are passionate about their team, but if you didn't notice Jazz fans boo every one on the Lakers, not just Fisher. Yes, I know that some fans have said things like that, BUT that is an extreamly small portion of Jazz fans. That is like saying all muslims are terrorists, or all hispanics are illegal immigrants. This is just a stupid article saying that most Jazz fans are like this, it is just the small portion of trashy people. All of these stated happenings are all "reported" and have never been confirmed. I can tell you for a fact that there was no chant of "cancer" in the ESA, I as well as many friends of mine went to both of the Laker games in SLC in various parts of the arena and there was no mention of this. This article makes it seem that the whole arena was chanting this. Hey bleacher report! Get your facts before you puke them out all over the web!
from 4 months ago
Classless Utah fans...what a surprise
This is the team that celebrated Carl Malone...A dead beat dad...the african american redneck- homophobe. The state is full of morons. Just another lousy organization that will never win a ring.
Yell your racial slurs, attack people and their personal lives you ringless losers. I have been to Utah many times ...its a racist and hypocritical state and is almost like a different country. Have fun losing again you tools.
from 4 months ago
My cousin is a young girl with retinal blastoma, and was featured in a Utah TV news story when Mr. Fisher's daughter's condition broke. I find it the height of repugnance, and quite honestly, galling, that fans would pick on Mr. Fisher's daughter. You want to boo him for leaving? Fine. You want to wish his team ill will? Fine. You cross a line, however, when you bring his daughter into your 'fandom'.
I'm a Jazz fan, and have been since the days of Adrain Dantley. I find myself embarrassed to count myself amongst this fans who pull off tactics like this.
4 months ago
I am a laker fan and i in know way agree with anything that has been said and i think you need to get your information right before you right about this type of stuff i am not saying that utah doesnt have some fans that cross the line but to call them out as a whole is just wrong i have been ashamed many times at some of our fans and this time is one of them. GO Lakers
from 4 months ago
Here are a few more Facts by Alex or Falexies, pronounced similar to fallacies, go figure!:
All Detroit fans like to throw beer (that one fan was representative of everyone who lives within 100 miles of Detroit)
The fans who chanted Utah Sucks in LA and Houston are Bigots. It had nothing to do with trying to intimidate the players and everything to do with showing hatred for another religion.
All Lakers fans are famous and rich (Jack Nicolson is representative of everyone that is a Lakers Fan)
Denver fans are all horrible people for suggesting Kobe is a rapist. Must have something to do with the thin air up here in the Rocky Mountains.
Mormons are bad people because someone might have shouted a horrible comment like cancer at a Jazz game where everyone is Mormon.
It's fun to paint with a broad brush and it isn't very hard either. Join in everyone.
4 months ago
Yes that is awful that SOME of the Fans in Utah would go that far, but thats very one sided. You cant say that ALL jazz fans are sick and wrong. The person who posted the article is obviously a Laker fan typing with to much emotion about how his team lost. Fisher helped the Jazz last year. But its basketball and people get traded all the time. Fisher is against the Jazz this year so its Booo's for him. MOST of the Utah fan base is decent but fierce and would never say things like CANCER. Who ever said that must of been drunk and just saying really messed up stuff. The Lakers are over rated and they are actors in the lane. Go figure they are from L.A. Ive never been a Laker fan but Im sure the Staples center is full of slurs also. As for Golden State's Racial slurs from Utah fans. Thats a false story. Jason Richardson was talking trash that whole damn series about how they were gonna win. They didnt. Richardson is a drama queen. What happend this year Richardson? Some one call you something you didnt like? Or you just hate Utah cause they kick your ass everytime you play them? NBA picked the wrong MVP this year, but Im sure you guys know that. I am a Utah fan simply because our team is very talented, and will send Houston, L.A., whoever straight home crying to the media that we play to rough. GO JAZZ! Jazz in 6
from 4 months ago
well im glad that the so called "actors" are about to eliminate the jazz. lol. see ya next year Jazz fans. Cant wait for round 3 to watch the Lakers play at Staples Center. GO LAKERS!!!!!!!! you guys are all a joke. you didnt win with Malone-Stockton and will never win a ring. hahaha. KB24+GASOL=TROPHY
from 4 months ago
so much for jazz in 6 eh? and ur an idiot for thinking that kobe doesnt deserve to be the mvp. oh and ive been to staples center for a ton of games and have never heard anything worse than [insert other team] sucks or the dui thing to carmello anthony. lakers are gonna win it in utah.
4 months ago
That's a bit one-sided. Utah's problem with Fisher is that we feel like he used his daughter as an excuse to bail out. Fisher said that he wanted to be somewhere closer to her treatment - which everyone supported - and then he went to LA. Her doctors are in New York. Which is farther away. If he wanted to leave, he should have just said it straight out - Utah doesn't want anybody here that doesn't want to be here. That obviously doesn't justify racial slurs or other tasteless comments, but those are found anywhere. (Your article is a prime example.) And you know what? Fans can be brutal, but those guys can afford the best therapists in the world.
from 4 months ago
You don't know a damned thing about retinoblastoma or how Tatum is receiving her treatment. Your conspiracy theories are pathetic, and anybody who thinks Derek Fisher would use his daughter to get out of a contract with a winning team to take less money with a team that was, at the time, in a serious state of flux, is even more pathetic.
I always respected the Jazz during the Malone/Stockton era, even when they beat the Lakers, but the moment I heard your fans boo Derek Fisher upon his return to Utah, your team became Public Enemy #1 in my eyes. I'll root for the Celtics if you play them in the Finals, and for a lifelong Lakers fan to say that, that should tell you what I think of your team and its fans.
Here's an idea: instead of going to Jazz games, why don't you gather around the animal shelter while they euthanize unwanted animals and cheer the process? It'd be more befitting of your classless nature.
from 4 months ago
Thank you!
I'll post this again:
"The Vision Center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is the largest pediatric ophthalmology program in the United States, and it is the only program in the country with expertise and treatment and research programs in virtually every pediatric ophthalmologic subspecialty area with the creation of six new institutes: the Retina Institute, the Cornea Institute, the Eye Birth Defects Institute, the Vision Development Institute, the Eye Technology Institute and the Orbit and Eye Movement Institute.
The Retina Institute treats infants with Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), the second leading cause of blindness in infants; retinal trauma and detachment; retinal degenerations, such as retinitis pigmentosa; and RETINOBLASTOMA, a rare childhood cancer of the eye, which predominantly affects infants and young children under five years of age. The RETINOBLASTOMA Program at Childrens Hospital is the only one of its kind in the western United States based in a pediatric hospital. Nearly one-fifth of all retinoblastoma cases diagnosed annually in the United States are treated at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles."
-Medical Directors: Thomas C. Lee, M.D., and A. Linn Murphree, M.D.
Fisher's daughter is in the best place for her and he didn't use her as an excuse.
from 4 months ago
Okay, okay so you got your panties in a bunch over a few heartless fans and threw this article together last-minute in desperation of some sympathy from Laker fan. Here are the real facts: 1) Fisher became family last year to Jazz fan immediately with his charm and charisma, 2) Fisher's daughter got cancer and Jazz fan embraced him even more, 3) Fisher chose doctors in NY to care for his daughter, 4) Fisher said, "I have to move closer to the doc (in NY)", 5) Fisher moved to LA (for those geographically challeneged, LA is further away from NY than Utah), 6) Fisher signed a contract with the Lakers.
These are the facts Jazz fan is familiar with. Why wouldn't he get boo'ed from the team he split? There simply isn't enough evidence to prove otherwise. Sure, there are facilities in LA like the one mentioned in LA but Fisher isn't taking his daughter there. Not sure why people are bringing it up. It's too bad he used his daughter as an excuse and chose not to come out and admit the truth that he simply wanted out of Utah.
from 4 months ago
nick, apparently with your small illogical mind, you cant grasp the idea of fish coming to LA to get treatment for his daughter IN LOS ANGELES! i can't believe even after you read the post before yours you still believe that fish is going to new york for the treatments! now why the hell would a person in his right mind move from utah to los angeles when they need treatments in new york! only the illogical people from utah would believe that he's still flying to new york. you said fish is family. what excuses do you guys have for booing a part of your family? when fish first came back to los angeles with the warriors, every single fan stood up and cheered for him. what do you guys have to say about that. utah fans are the unclassiest fans there is in all of sports, and you know what that says a lot. so you know what keep believing the idea that fish wanted out of utah becuase he didnt want to be there, because you know what i see why.
from 4 months ago
Hey, uh, Nick and Jessie, you two are obviously blind, in addition to being paranoid dumbasses... so for the umpteenth time...
""The Vision Center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is the largest pediatric ophthalmology program in the United States, and it is the only program in the country with expertise and treatment and research programs in virtually every pediatric ophthalmologic subspecialty area with the creation of six new institutes: the Retina Institute, the Cornea Institute, the Eye Birth Defects Institute, the Vision Development Institute, the Eye Technology Institute and the Orbit and Eye Movement Institute.
The Retina Institute treats infants with Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), the second leading cause of blindness in infants; retinal trauma and detachment; retinal degenerations, such as retinitis pigmentosa; and RETINOBLASTOMA, a rare childhood cancer of the eye, which predominantly affects infants and young children under five years of age. The RETINOBLASTOMA Program at Childrens Hospital is the only one of its kind in the western United States based in a pediatric hospital. Nearly one-fifth of all retinoblastoma cases diagnosed annually in the United States are treated at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles."
-Medical Directors: Thomas C. Lee, M.D., and A. Linn Murphree, M.D."
4 months ago
And to quote some random, 20 year old Lakers fan as if he's an expert...?
from 4 months ago
I'll take his word over yours, kthx.
4 months ago
I've been to every playoff game at home this year and no one ever yelled out CANCER. I think it is sick or you to make up stories or report something because of one person. If I was to report on LA fans the way you did Utah fans I would call them a bunch of actors. There is a feeling that Fisher wanted to go to New York and then went to LA but had to fly to New York for treatment. That is what they are mad at. Moreover, Utah has some of the best cancer institutions in the world. I know because my mom had it. No one ever asks why he didn't go to the Huntsman cancer research center or Primary Children's Hospital. The racial slurs, come on, give it up; and he does deserve to be in jail.
4 months ago
And this is all coming from a guys supporting a team with a rapist. Talk about hypocrisy.
from 4 months ago
What? I'm a Magic fan, not a Lakers fan.
from 4 months ago
Karl Malone is a child molester
from 4 months ago
Agreed, haha.
from 4 months ago
Malone or Kobe? Don't like either of these teams but you can't prove Kobe raped anyone. You can prove Malone had sex with a 13 year old. Case closed?
from 4 months ago
Wow, Jessie gets royally owned every time but keeps spouting stupidity. I have to admire your determination.
I think deep inside, he/she really wants to move to LA and cheer for the Lakers.
4 months ago
What do mean give it up about the racial slurs? Jackson and Richardson both confirmed that it was happening. Why give it up? That's ridiculous.
from 4 months ago
I don't know whether the racial slurs happened or not, but the Salt Lake media talked to several Jazz players who said they never heard them.
4 months ago
I could not even finish reading this article because of the distasteful things from the stands you were reporting. For the sake of Utah fans, I hope Jim above is right about them yelling "cancer", but I think it is bad enough they were still booing him when I turned on the game late. I didn't think anyone could be worse than Philly fans (cheering that Michael Irvin might be paralyzed!), but if what you say is true, I am wrong!
4 months ago
Well then (deep breath). Karl Malone... Scratch that, FRIGGIN' KARL MALONE got booed relentlessly when he left the Jazz for the Lakers. No dis to Dfish, but he ain't no Karl Malone. I have the utmost respect for Derek Fisher. I also booed the hell out of him last game. Was it because of his daughter? Hell no, it's because he was once one of us and is now one of the dreaded purple and gold. I, and most Jazz fans, hate the Lakers with a passion that is hard to describe. I have been to twenty games this year and have never heard any comments about Tatum's cancer. I have never heard a racial slur, and if I had, I would have beat someone's face in. The Warriors said that shit and it has never been proven.
You, Alex Kennedy, are obviously one of the drunk, philandering Kennedys. Do I have any proof? No, I'm grossly attaching you to something that you have nothing to do with. How does that feel?
from 4 months ago
I'm sorry, Sean, but D-Fish was a Laker first. He was on your team for one measley season and people are booing the dude because he went back to LA (where he was a player for 8 seasons) to take care of his daughter? Come on now.
4 months ago
I asked some random guy on the street what he thought of Alex Kennedy's writing skills. "Well, I think he likes to overgeneralize. Oh, and he's mad that the Lakers lost." He continued, "I don't really know why you're asking some guy on the street about this, and presenting it as some sort of 'article', but, I'll have a go at it; He was definitely in the car at Chappaquiddick. Oh, and he has a large red bulbous nose, so he must be one of the drunk Kennedys."
There you have it folks. Proof that this guy is another drunk Kennedy.
from 4 months ago
Well put. If Fish were playing for NY or Miami, he would get his standing ovation. As Jazz fans, we hate the Lakers. Also I hope the rest of the world doesn't believe that all fans are like this. We boo yes, but the assumption that all jazz fans are covering their eyes and yelling cancer is absurd. Once again no accountability with journalism.
4 months ago
I agree with the last post.... We boo Fisher because he is now a Laker. What, do you want us to do, cheer him on?! It's part of the game and the Lakers team as a whole is getting booed no matter who touches the ball. There may be those one or two persons who say some totally f'd up things but that doesn't mean we all do as fans. But it happens everywhere and trust me, I know, I've lived in Miami and have been to plenty of games there and I've heard just the same. Get your facts right before you write such a ridiculous article. You just made yourself look completely idiotic. Just because our fans our loud and proud and go to the games because they are true fans and not a bunch of hollywood posers who never go to the game until the Lakers are in the playoffs doesn't mean we are bad fans, that just proves the opposite. Ever been to a game at the Staples center and a game in Salt Lake? You'd know what I was talking about. Get your facts straight!
from 4 months ago
I can't believe you say you "agree with this post," then go onto say that "what do you want us to do, cheer him [fisher] on?" First of all, you are completely contradicting yourself, which shows that you need to go back to school and learn the basics of making coherent arguments and secondly, it is wrong for you to call lakers fans "bunch of hollywood posers." Lakers fans don't go to every single game because they actually have lives, decent (perhaps more professional) jobs than Utah fans and carry much more maturity and dignity then to make such comments about a young girl with cancer.
Whether you guys like or dislike the fact that Fisher left your team, it doesn't matter. There still exists a clear boundary between what is morally and ethically right and wrong and you guys, as a team, crossed the line. There is absolutely NO EXCUSE for Utah Jazz fans making comments like the one you are making right now, holding up a blow up doll with such senseless and irrelevant comments during a game that includes "professionals." These are respectable professionals playing basketball. Stop crying and whining like little kids and go back to school. There is nothing about this article that shows that the writer doesn't have his "facts straight." Utah Jazz fans make me sick to the stomach, even more after seeing ignorant comments like this.
4 months ago
Utah have the most annoying fans in the league. I went to the last game and yes the fans were being rude and crazy.
Go lakers! Lakers in 6!
haha, Phil Jackson will beat Jerry Sloan's ass yet again.
4 months ago
There I toned it down a little.
4 months ago
Oh, and I'm sick of everyone saying I'm a Lakers fans. lol I'm an Orlando Magic fan.
from 4 months ago
you also list Kobe as one of your favorite athletes in your bio and write an article based off crap. Maybe you should look into janitorial science. That way you don't have to rely on your crappy writing skills and you have an excuse for sniffing the athletes jocks and you can still get into the locker room and follow them around after games.
I hear South Florida Community College aka USF has a great program for it since that's what most USF grads are doing that I've met anyways.
GO GATORS!!!
from 4 months ago
Alex:
I've found that always happens on here if you write an article that isn't related to the team you cheer for. People automatically think you're being a homer. Don't worry... us intellectual sports fans realize this and you will not lose any credit due to the classless comments.
And GoGators:
Get a life dude.
from 4 months ago
gogators, please go crush some beer cans on your forehead and leave the intelligent discussion to people with a brain. thanks.
4 months ago
I truly hope this is a false article, but I know that the writer would never do something like that, so I am forced to believe that Jazz fans are completely insensitive and I hope that the Lakers win even more now. (I'm a Chicago fan, I don't want the kind of treatment that Alex got saying I root for a different team) I do like Kobe Bryant, there is no problem with that, and I think that what the Jazz fans did to him about the rape case and what they did to Fisher about his daughter having cancer is completely disgraceful towards not only Fisher but to everybody that has a family member dealing with cancer or who has dealt with cancer.
4 months ago
This is a genuine LOLfest!! Too many logical fallacies, inconsistencies, and ridiculous statements to mention. My favorite: "It's a classless, immature grown man who represents the majority of Utah fans." Wow, what a factually grounded, unbiased, objective statement!
Or this: "He knew that he couldn't keep flying to New York or Los Angeles from Utah to get his daughter treatment." His treatment was in NEW YORK the whole time!! NOT LOS ANGELES!! FURTHERMORE, Salt Lake City's Huntsman Cancer Center is among the best in the country, so the routine treatment his daughter receives in L.A. in between visits to NY with the official Dr. could've been conveniently accomplished in SLC. (Not that I'm complaining, because I like the Jazz better without Fish, but I digress).
from 4 months ago
Wow, I appreciate your information. You must be an Oncologist; thanks for the info about Huntsman. Now, go buy a clue. Retinoblastoma is one of the rarest and most difficult forms of juvenile cancer to treat. Check out this link with a list of the oncologists who specialize in treating it: http://www.retinoblastoma.net/resources_physicians.html
Guess what? I don't see Utah on the list. As someone who watched several children die of this illness at Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, I know personally how difficult this disease is to treat. Those kids I mentioned? None of them had their eyeballs when they died! Until recently, the only hope of survival was removal of the eyes, and even then, it was a long shot.
Derek Fisher knew the best hope of saving Tatum's life was for her to be treated at Sloan-Kettering in New York or at CHOLA. Do you think he went to New York during the playoffs because he didn't like Huntsman? No, he went there, because it was one of the two best places to ensure her survival. He asked out of his contract, because he knew she would be living in one of those two cities, and he couldn't keep a base in Utah while also dealing with her illness.
I appreciate that it's your right to boo someone, but the idea that he left your team to play with the Lakers and used Tatum as an excuse is not only wrong, it's beyond classless. Show some respect for the human condition and appreciate that life does not stop and start with your stupid basketball team.
from 4 months ago
I love you Tully! Thanks for confirming everything I've been saying all along. He didn't have a choice and wanted his daughter to receive the best care. Thanks for the comments.
from 4 months ago
Wow, Rando, you are beyond idiot.
Way to spread misinformation on a topic you know NOTHING about... because you know, "routine treatment" is JUST the thing a little girl with a highly fatal, extremely rare eyeball cancer needs. Douchebag, thanks for representing us Utah fans so well.
Thanks Tully for shedding some truth on retinoblastoma.
from 4 months ago
Typo, remove the "us" from the last sentence of the second paragraph. Ugh, that was close.
4 months ago
What a hit piece.
Firstly, no one ever chanted cancer at the two home games in this series and if you're going to make an accusation like that, you've got to back it up with more than "some fans say...". I mean, that's a terrible accusation to make in the first place and without any evidence to support it, well that's just sloppy journalism.
Secondly, that photo of a fan covering his eye is inconclusive at best. It could be him scratching his face, wiping some sweat away, rubbing the side of his face, or nervously placing it over his eye -- as I do -- because of the closeness of the game. And even if that fan was doing this, it's one of 19,911. You can't hold every Jazz fan accountable for the actions of one fan.
Finally, people looked into Jason Richardson's claims that there were racist taunting and not one verification of it can be found. Nothing was heard on tape or reported by any other person outside of a Golden State Warriors. And don't you think a racial statement would draw the ire of the Utah Jazz players themselves, many of whom are black? I doubt they'd sit idly by as Jazz fans yelled out racial slurs to the Warriors.
If you're going to write an article attacking Jazz fans, don't use shoddy journalism. You can rail on them for booing Fisher, which isn't a surprise because Jazz fans hate the Lakers and even booed Karl Malone when he returned to Salt Lake in Purple & Gold. But don't bring in baseless speculation, because then it undercuts your whole point and makes YOU look bad, not the Jazz.
4 months ago
What a stupid article.
The best proof this guy could muster is an interview from a Laker fan, a still photo, and some quotes from such reliable atheletes like Stepehn Jackson and Jason Richardson. Way to go Matlock!
God forbid you actually find some proof.
from 4 months ago
So what else is he supposed to do besides getting reactions from basketball fans (including a Jazz fan) as well as accusations from the people that were present during the incident? Also, to the guy that said the picture was inconclusive, I have looked closely at it and it really looks like somebody who is purposely covering his eye for some reason. And if you are going to cover your eyes for an important shot, why not both and only cover one eye? Is he a pirate or something that I don't know of, I don't think so.
4 months ago
what a great article, very true about Utah Jazz fans there classless. Great write up Alex keep it up.
4 months ago
I went to game 4 and the two guys to my right were chanting "cancer, cancer" and the people in the row in front me were saying "rapist" whenever Kobe touched the ball. When Kobe hurt his back, some of the people said "I hope he is paralyzed". Now that's just unacceptable. First of all, you don't say stuff like that about a player's child. Second of all, Kobe's not a rapist and his personal life has NOTHING to do with basketball so keep the immature and IRRELEVANT comments to yourself. Third of all, Hoping Kobe is paralyzed? How cruel.
These were just some of the fans around me, but the whole arena is so loud and vicious so I wouldn't be surprised if there were many more fans like this.
The fans are extremely annoying. All the fans in the lower rows get up on their feet and start yelling at the officials arguing calls. They are biased and disagree with EVERY call.
And so many of the fans had signs. I saw so many stupid and immature signs. C'mon, what are middle aged people doing wasting their time writing silly mean things on a poster board? How immature and pathetic.
I've been to many NBA playoff games and have been to 11 different arenas. Utah fans are by far the worst, rudest, and most annoying fans in the NBA.
from 4 months ago
Thank you!
from 4 months ago
From Kobe's official statement about the case:
"After months of reviewing discovery, listening to her attorney, and even her testimony in person, I now understand how she feels that she did not consent to this encounter."
Regarding your account of attending the game... I can't believe the fans were biased and disagreed with calls! Incredible! That's why I love the lakers attending games there. I love how they cheer for good calls, even when they are against Kobe. I love how they cheer any foul and never disagree. /sarcasm
Also, personal story, I attended a couple Laker games and one was against hte Jazz and fans were yelling stuff about Mehmet Okur being Turkish and yelling racial stuff about Deron Williams and his skin color. I also heard a ton of religious slurs and bashings against Utahns, even when only about 30% of Utah are practicing Mormons. Some Laker fans even threatened to rape my girlfriend I was there with (they didn't use the word rape, but rather said, "We'll kick yo boyfriends ass and then we'll have a fun time whether you like it or not"). Yeah, but Utah fans are the worst because there are a few that are racist and make cancer comments.
4 months ago
In any arena your going to have a few out of line drunks who don't know what there doing. I went to both games in Utah and heard a few of those remarks, but must correct you! Only a few drunk idiots were chanting that stuff, there are hardly any fans who feel the same way. I booed Derek Fisher too, but not because he left us for his daughter's health, but because the way he is playing now and the way he has played his whole career IS NOT the way he played for the Jazz. Sure it was awesome to see him rush to the game and play great to help us beat the Warriors, but don't tell me he did well for our team the whole season/playoffs. Now he's in L.A. draining three's on us like he's an all-star! That's why fans REALLY boo him. Not, because (like the whole world says) we're heartless people that don't care about another human being's life! Give me a break!
4 months ago
So, I was staying at USC one night and while I was trying to fall asleep in the student dorms, I heard a few gun shots--a drive-by shooting. Now, I've lived in Utah most of my whole life and I've never seen a drive-by shooting, so I can conclusively say that Utahns are on the whole much less violent and criminal than Los Angelenos. Furthermore, I've since asked my sister what she thought, and she said, "hey, that's a pretty accurate statement. You know, I think that drive-by shooter pretty much represents the majority of people in LA. They're all pretty much sickos that only want to kill people." Another time I was in San Fran and witnessed a drug deal. Thus, as you can see, San Fran is the drug capital of the world. Finally, I was at the game and I got to sit by three extremely fat LA fans. I think the mayor of LA really needs to tone up the citizens. I mean, how good is a city when all of its residents are 300+ lbs.
4 months ago
Well the article is terrible for two reasons.
1. It's generalizing an entire fanbase for what 2 individuals have done.
2. There have been MANY sporting events where fans have KILLED or brutally injured other fans, which deserves at least jail time as opposed to mocking a player or his daughter.
4 months ago
Oh my gosh I hate them so freaking much, I had such a hard time watching the two games Lakers played in Utah. I literally had a headache in game 3, gosh I hate those fans.
from 4 months ago
Glad to hear it, Rizwan. Our goal as Jazz Fans is to make Lakers Fan miserable while at a game here in SLC. You have two options. Come to the game, wear your Purple and Gold, and take it like a man. Or stay home.
I've been to numerous Jazz road games including LA, Oakland, Denver, Dallas and Toronto, and the Crap thats thrown out to Utah fans in the crowd is just as wbad as anything you may have heard a few fans chanting in SLC. Mormon and other religious/racial slurs are abundant there as well.
To say that you "Hate them so freaking much" shows your own intolerance.
4 months ago
Awful article...I grew up in Salt Lake City but have attended sporting events all over the world including L.A. Guess what? There's knucklehead fans everywhere. The Jazz fans are no better or no worse in this regard. I talked to a few of my crew from the SLC--they're Jazz fans, but they're objective and if there was a "cancer" chant of any significance going on they would have told me. None of them heard any such thing. Could one or two or three people in the 19,991 been doing a "cancer" chant. Of course they could--just like a few fans in any city in the league could make asses of themselves. As far as the 'covering the eye' thing--maybe it happened, maybe not. In any case, it was just one person out of the 19,911 in the building and however many Jazz fans were watching on TV. To denigrate an entire fanbase on the basis of a couple of isolated incidents is absurd.
I actually heard Karl Malone take some at, of all places, a Charlotte Hornets' game in the team's first season. The Hornets at that time had a lousy team and the fans were as much in awe of the visiting superstars as they were supportive of the home team. Seriously, these fans at the time were *too* polite. Malone is at the free throw line and some drunk near me yells "Karl Malone (f-bombs) his mother". Would it have been appropriate to go home and type up an article suggesting that Hornets fans are the "most disgusting in the history of sports"?
So the fans boo DFish. Big deal. It happens in every city in every sport, particularly during the playoffs. DFish got a nice response on his first trip back to town during the regular season. That considering that many feel he used his daughter to get out of the SLC--as it has many state of the art medical facilities, including those that specialize in childhood cancer. Despite that, he got a good reaction on his first trip back to town. Carlos Boozer wasn't treated anywhere near as kindly on his first trip back to Cleveland. The playoffs are a different animal and even a guy people basically like such as DFish is going to get booed, Kobe is going to get hassled about his rape charge in Colorado, so on and so forth. And I'd imagine that back in L.A. Andrei Kirilenko is going to take heat about his frequent trips to the disabled list for weak ass injuries, his Russian wife that gives him "permission" to cheat once a year, and every other player will hear some sort of personal insult.
The Jazz home court is loud, and the fans are passionate and obnoxious. It's a horrible place for visiting teams to play, and the JazzFans like it that way. They have both well mannered knowledgeable fans and jackasses who want to drink and cause trouble just like any other team. If you don't like the Jazz, the SLC, the state of Utah, the team, Jerry Sloan or whatever that's fine but implicating the entire fanbase b/c of a couple of incidents that may or may not have happened is ridiculous.
from 4 months ago
Stick it. SLC doesn't have a "state of the art medical facility" that specializes in Retinoblastoma. Look up Retinoblastoma; there are only two great facilities in the entire country, and the best one is at CHOLA. Just because you have a good cancer center doesn't mean it treats every form of juvenile cancer. My nephew is alive because he was treated at CHOLA for Neuroblastoma; I know several people whose children didn't make it because they saw oncologists at UCLA, which didn't have the best people in the field for that illness.
If you don't like Derek Fisher because he's a Laker, fine. But don't disrespect him as a human being when he did the best thing he could for his daughter by moving to a city with a facility that specializes in treatment of her rare disease. You make me sick.
4 months ago
Alex,
As a Jazz season ticket holder for over a decade, and having sat in all areas of the arena, I take umbrage to your post.
1. Most of the attendees in the arena are Mormon "surprise, surprise" which provides for a self regulatory environment. Much like a discussion board where members report abuse, I am shot dirty looks when my 8 year old son yells "Lakers Suck" by jazz fans and Lakers fans alike, chants of "Cancer" or Racial epithets are immediately reported to security (with the latter something I have witnessed personally).
2. The Boos for Fisher that went over the top (and embarrassed many Jazz fans including myself) were the first trip back to Utah during the regular schedule, where he was booed when he as anywhere on the court, since then the Boo's were for Fish the opposing player, and am I expected to sit politely and golf clap like I am at the Masters (speaking of racism) and not scream when I see him score ten points in 3 minutes in the fourth quarter? I booed Karl Malone when he played here wearing Lakers Purple and Cheered him when his number was retired - the uniform was the culprit.
3. The Lakers fans that attend games at ESA constantly call on altercations with Jazz fans and are mutually obnoxious - bring it on! As long as it doesn't come to fisticuffs, is not the true definition of "fan" fanatic? I clapped, oohed and ahhed and watched in complete respect as a fan of the game when Kobe scored that amazing play of the backboard in game 3, does that make me a traitor to my own team, no - it is an acknowledgment of an amazing athletic talent.
I am proud to be part of the loud, obnoxious Borg known as the sixth man that is the fan base of the Utah Jazz, and am not too proud to admit that some of us may cross the line, but the vast majority of Jazz Fans will be the first to take efforts to make certain that security at the arena (which is everywhere and includes SLPD) address those that cross the lines of hate.
Grouping us all together with a minority of inappropriate fans is grossly uninformed and incorrect.
May the best team win?
4 months ago
Alex,
As a Jazz season ticket holder for over a decade, and having sat in all areas of the arena, I take umbrage to your post.
1. Most of the attendees in the arena are Mormon "surprise, surprise" which provides for a self regulatory environment. Much like a discussion board where members report abuse, I am shot dirty looks when my 8 year old son yells "Lakers Suck" by jazz fans and Lakers fans alike, chants of "Cancer" or Racial epithets are immediately reported to security (with the latter something I have witnessed personally).
2. The Boos for Fisher that went over the top (and embarrassed many Jazz fans including myself) were the first trip back to Utah during the regular schedule, where he was booed when he as anywhere on the court, since then the Boo's were for Fish the opposing player, and am I expected to sit politely and golf clap like I am at the Masters (speaking of racism) and not scream when I see him score ten points in 3 minutes in the fourth quarter? I booed Karl Malone when he played here wearing Lakers Purple and Cheered him when his number was retired - the uniform was the culprit.
3. The Lakers fans that attend games at ESA constantly call on altercations with Jazz fans and are mutually obnoxious - bring it on! As long as it doesn't come to fisticuffs, is not the true definition of "fan" fanatic? I clapped, oohed and ahhed and watched in complete respect as a fan of the game when Kobe scored that amazing play of the backboard in game 3, does that make me a traitor to my own team, no - it is an acknowledgment of an amazing athletic talent.
I am proud to be part of the loud, obnoxious Borg known as the sixth man that is the fan base of the Utah Jazz, and am not too proud to admit that some of us may cross the line, but the vast majority of Jazz Fans will be the first to take efforts to make certain that security at the arena (which is everywhere and includes SLPD) address those that cross the lines of hate.
Grouping us all together with a minority of inappropriate fans is grossly uninformed and incorrect.
May the best team win?
4 months ago
I had a nephew who suffered, and eventually passed away from a fairly rare form of cancer that strikes children.
I had ample opportunity to see first hand the state of the art facilities available for treating children with all different forms of cancer in Utah.
I just couldn't believe it when I heard that Fish wanted to leave because he needed a City that Had the facilities to treat his daughter.
I met many people who brought their children from all over the world to Salt Lake for treatment because it is considered one of the best.
Go figure...........
from 4 months ago
"The Vision Center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is the largest pediatric ophthalmology program in the United States, and it is the only program in the country with expertise and treatment and research programs in virtually every pediatric ophthalmologic subspecialty area with the creation of six new institutes: the Retina Institute, the Cornea Institute, the Eye Birth Defects Institute, the Vision Development Institute, the Eye Technology Institute and the Orbit and Eye Movement Institute.
The Retina Institute treats infants with Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), the second leading cause of blindness in infants; retinal trauma and detachment; retinal degenerations, such as retinitis pigmentosa; and RETINOBLASTOMA, a rare childhood cancer of the eye, which predominantly affects infants and young children under five years of age. The RETINOBLASTOMA Program at Childrens Hospital is the only one of its kind in the western United States based in a pediatric hospital. Nearly one-fifth of all retinoblastoma cases diagnosed annually in the United States are treated at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles."
-Medical Directors: Thomas C. Lee, M.D., and A. Linn Murphree, M.D.
4 months ago
Alex Kennedy
Become Alex's Fan
Writer bio
Alex Kennedy is 16 years old and a die hard basketball and football fan. He's very focused on becoming a sports journalist someday and hopes to attend the University of South Florida when he finishes high school.
Right now, he writes for RealGM.com and through them he receives media credentials to Orlando Magic games. He has interviewed some amazing athletes such as Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Chris Bosh. It has provided him with some valuable experience and has made him realize that there is no other job he wants to do.
4 months ago
Nearly everything noted has been already brought up on several Laker's boards with little or no "evidence" to back it up. So, here's to hearsay and innuendo.
I've been a Utah Jazz season ticket holder for 17+ years. I have never heard a chant of cancer. I have NEVER heard a racial epithet yelled. Yes, we have some obnoxious people who insist on yelling some ill-advised words (I consider them ill-advised for the most part because there are children around). I have had things thrown at me by visiting teams (not Lakers) fans and heard just about the most vile language from the fans of other teams. Have you ever read CluthCity's message boards? The things they wrote about Jerry Sloan's deceased wife was sickening. Why aren't they the worst fans? Didn't you get around to reading "all" the fan boards, or just the Laker's?
Why do "outsiders" find it odd that we are loud and passionate and supportive of our team? I think we should be applauded for backing our team 110%. We love our Jazz, why not be proud to show our appreciation?
4 months ago
Oh, forgot to mention, at game 4 on Sunday, there was a very large sign in the lower bowl that read "Fisher - love you - hate your team". No one mentions those kinds of signs. They just aren't controversial enough I guess.
4 months ago
I was at BOTH Jazz-Laker games sitting in different sections each time. Never once did I hear the word "Cancer" called out. This article is simply inaccurate and it's sad that this crap can even be posted. I am not proud that our fans booed Derrick the first time back here in SLC but at both games during the playoffs he was cheered during introductions. Of course we are going to boo him at the foul line, we want him to miss that free throw, it doesn't mean we don't like the guy. 99% of Jazz fans still love Fisher, we were very sad to see him go and truly wish him the best......just not any victories against our team!
4 months ago
Wow, you need to check your facts Alex. If it did indeed happen, it was probably one or two drunk idiots.
I am a longtime fan, and the fans are brutal. They are into the game. I've sat in all areas of the arena and never heard racist remarks or anything like that. We scream, yell and have fun.
Kind of funny how you believe everything the Laker fans tell you. The Laker fans instigate a lot of crap that goes on in the arena.
At least the Jazz fans have fun at the game. Unlike pathetic Laker fans who rarely cheer or do anything.
4 months ago
I love how one fan speaks for "the majority" as you wrote and quoted in your article. The "majority" of fans were not chanting cancer... I didn't even hear one person yell cancer! It was probably the same dumbass who put his hand over his eye! ONE PERSON! We all have idiot fans.
The cases of racism involving the Warriors is unexcuseable but you again mislead the readers by trying to convey that it was a large group. The only stories I heard from that game from media soon after, was that it was a couple of people out of 19,000.
BTW, I've been to Yankee stadium and heard racist stuff too from a couple guys, I think your next article should be how New Yorkers are intolerant and are the worst baseball fans in the world.
4 months ago
Alex I am A lakers fan and i know that these things are not true as i went to both games 3 and 4 in utah. Maybe you should write about how the pistons just took you guys to school and how the detroit fans are the most disgusting in the NBA come on....... Go LAKERS
4 months ago
All I have to say is that I bring a unique perspective to this arguement. I am Jazz fan living in California. I go to many Lakers, Clippers, GoldenState, Sacramento games when they play the Jazz. This is including the playoffs. To single out a fan base for the actions of a few is ridiculous and irresponsible. Let me list some of the things that have happened to me while at Lakers games. First, I am heckled relentlessly about being a mormon just because I cheer for the Jazz. I am not mormon, but a have heard some of the most hateful bigoted comments coming from Lakers fans that you can ever imagine. Does that mean you paint the whole fan bas with that same broad brush? No. It is one or two idiots that can't control themselves. I have been spit on, had beer thrown on me. Been hit with coins, pushed down stairs, threatened, followed out to my car, had my hat taken off my head and stolen, etc. All totally out of line. So using the logic of Alex, Lakers fans are the most disgusting fans in the NBA. Are you kidding? I could go and write a similar article based on my experiences, but I will not judge a whole fan base off of the actions of a few. This is ridiculous that this would even be written.
4 months ago
I've been to well over 200 Jazz games and never heard anything remotely resembling a "racial slur." Did you know Carlos Boozer's son had cancer? Did you know Jerry Sloan's wife of over 40 years died from cancer? Do you really think there were people "chanting" cancer?
Also, questionable sources: Stephen Jackson (are you serious?) and a 17 and 20 year old Laker fan.
4 months ago
Poor Alex. All these people telling you that you will never make it as a journalist all because of one article. Surely your journalistic talents -- both current and future -- cannot be judged nor determined by one single article? That's as nonsensical as saying one fan's behaviour or attitude is reflective of the whole fan base.
4 months ago
When did Stephen Jackson and Jason Richardson become bad sources? They were there and they know what they heard. How can you discredit them?
from 4 months ago
Because there was an investigation into the allegations and they were found to be without merit, or at least suspect. No one else heard them. Fans in the same area didn't hear it. Other Warriors and Jazz players didn't hear it. Referees didn't hear it. Unless he is picking up thoughts telepathically, or someone whispered it to him from 10 feet away and he has amazing hearing, how come no one else claims to have heard it?
from 4 months ago
Alex: When did Stephen Jackson and Jason Richardson become bad sources?
Are you serious? In only the past three years, Stephen Jackson has been charged with felony criminal recklessness and a number of other misdemeanors, including assault, disorderly conduct, and two counts of battery. He also helped start a riot in Detroit if you recall.
Jason Richardson has also been fined $35,000 for an "altercation" with a fan. These two people - like Alex and two Laker fans - have zero credibility. None. When you have no credibility you are not a good source. Its called impeaching a witness. Good luck with the whole "journalism" thing.
from 4 months ago
Thanks for giving us Stephen Jackson's biography. Even after all that, I'm pretty sure he still has a set of ears.
I'd like the 30 seconds of my life I wasted reading your post back please.
4 months ago
The guy is covering his right eye, not his left.