After nearly three decades at the helm of the Utah Jazz, Jerry Sloan stepped down, retired, not an easy thing to do when you’ve captained such a prestigious ship for so long, made as many sorties into the depths as he had over the years.
But he’s been restless since, likely wondering what to do with himself as he wandered the early morning curbs of Herriman, Utah. Not quite able to stay away, but shunning the spotlight for fear of taking something away from the next generation, he still attended games, always taking stock with that sharpened, experienced mind.
One could practically see the wheels turning when the camera would swing Sloan’s way — a thing he asked operators not to do, but has repeatedly been soundly ignored to the delight of the Jazz faithful, who always offered, without fail, a rousing round of applause for the legendary face of the franchise for so long.
A lowly engineer once said, “If something’s important enough, you make the time.”
___
The journalists crowd the legendary captain, talking over each other in an attempt to garner a gem, nab a hint of what he’s been up to, what he might do next.
The newest captain of the ship steps in and cows the crowd momentarily, telling them there will be plenty of time for questions later, “I’m Captain John Harriman. I’d like to welcome you all aboard.”
Journalist: “What have you been doing since you retired [after thirty years at the helm]?”
Captain Kirk: “I’ve been… keeping busy…”
___
Since taking the seat of the proverbial captain’s chair, Ty Corbin has done more standing than sitting, and can often be seen near halfcourt trying to be heard when he isn’t stalking the sideline in a constant pacing that miraculously hasn’t yet worn a groove right into the hardwood of the Larry H. Miller Court at EnergySolutions Arena.
Despite having barely embarked on an entire new voyage, this new crew is already hearing the alarm of a distress call sounding in the distance.
___
Never caring for spotlights, Kirk sits down in acute embarrassment and annoyance.
Captain Harriman: “If we have time, we’ll conduct a few tests of the warp…”
Com Officer: “We’re picking up a distress call, Captain.”
Harriman: “Signal the nearest starship. We don’t even have a full crew aboard.”
Navigator: “We’re the only one in range, sir.”
Kirk stands, staring with steely eyes at Harriman as the bright lights of tradition turn to beam down hotly on him, with icons and media alike looking on. Unsure how to proceed, the inexperienced young leader does his best to compose himself and carry on.
“Well then… I guess it’s up to us…”
___
Comparatively speaking, Utah Jazz attendance this season was top third in the NBA, at 9th. But by Utah Jazz standards that is sorely lacking. Since the EnergySolutions Arena opened up as the Delta Center, to present, the Jazz are typically in the top five in the league in attendance.
It’s no secret that a ticket rep said to a member of the media, “I can’t sell this team.” And we’ve all seen blog comments and fan tweets about how “I won’t support this team anymore if [insert Jazz basketball reason] isn’t done.”
While win-loss record is still the biggest reason tickets do or do not sell, with ticket pricing the next biggest factor, whatever the rationale, the alarm sounded from the bowels to the brass’s offices when row after row of green seating appeared in the ESA as the season progressed.
Action has insisted it be taken.
___
The man who replaced The Man glances nervously at the legend, who doesn’t quite know what to do with himself. Kirk stares without blinking at Harriman, half standing, only to sit back down in the shadows again and again, not wanting to disturb the new crew trying to make their own way.
The legend knows he can help, but after so long knows only one way to do so. And someone else is in that seat now.
Scotty: “Captain, is there something wrong with your chair?”
Upon arrival, this new crew and captain find chaos raging. Before their very eyes one ship is lost, and another clinging, crying out for help, even as this unruly tear in their space-time continuum threatens to take them to the brink of the abyss too.
___
Stepping into — let’s be honest — what amounted to a steaming pile of buffalo chips with a side of cow pies topped with road apples, Ty Corbin managed to steer his ship to a playoff series in his first (relatively) full season as a head coach. But after narrowly missing out in the next, with expectation now rightfully heightened, fans quickly grew loudly discontent.
With a fanbase increasingly at unrest, and unafraid to vocalize it, the Jazz needed a hero, someone with balls of steel and know-how. Someone who not only knows the ropes, but braided many of them together his very self.
___
Young Captain Harriman, with limited resources and applicable knowledge of what he does have at his disposal, throws out idea after idea and again glances in the legend’s direction. Kirk slowly shakes his head back, never blinking.
A despondent Chekov: “How many people were on that ship?
Even one is too many, sir.
Harriman, stymied, hangs his head and leans on the com. Then, he slowly lifts his head, as his eyes follow, and he pulls himself straight and tall as he looks to the seasoned veteran of so many nights and days of harried battle under ultimate pressure.
“Captain Kirk, I would appreciate any suggestions you might have…”
Kirk wastes no time springing into action at the proper invitation, “Okay! First…”
Yes, it’s a PR move to bring aboard legends, one that will bring throngs of press and fan excitement with it.
“…and second, turn that damn camera off!”
But let me ask you one thing: Has Jerry Sloan ever messed around once tossed into a fray?
“Risk is part of the game if you want to sit in that chair.”
