Jazz, the Utah Jazz

Another beautiful season of NBA basketball has begun! I love basketball, it is just one of those sports that I hold dear because I just love it. Playing it, watching it, being a fan of it, it's simply amazing. I love to go to the Jazz games every chance I get, and also Utah games are fun. But this post is for the Jazz. They are my team, ever since the days of Hornacek, Malone, and Stockton. You see those guys play and you have to love them and I did. The love just continued on on here I am a Jazz fan still. Today it's not Stockton to Malone, or Hornacek for three, it's a little different..........

We got Deron Williams-One of the best point guards in the league. In only a few short seasons D-Will has established himself as a force to be reckoned with. He averaged a double double last year, and led the Jazz to the Western Conference finals. He has patented his hard drive jumping floater in the lane. Last night with opening night he was back to his usual stuff with 24 points and eight assists. Deron Williams will continue to establish himself and become the best point guard in the league.

Next we have CARLOS BOOZER-Did you just see that finesse? Or how about that left handed dunk? Well it came from my man Carlos Boozer. Carlos is filling the shoes of the mailman Karl Malone. Boozer is filling in quite nicely I say though. With points left and right, amazing passes, and such a nice shot, Carlos is on of my favorite players. Coming out of Duke, and interesting fact about Carlos is that when he was younger his dad made him eat his cereal with his left hand to improve coordination. Cool huh, all I have to say is that if I ever see Carlos' dad I will just go up and say thank you.

The rookie Ronnie Brewer-Now let me tell you something about something. When I heard this season that Ronnie Brewer was going to be taking the reins of our two guard after last years departure of Derek Fisher I was a little nervous. Ronnie Brewer untested, and unseasoned. We needed leadership and stability. Little did I know however that we already had all that. What was I worried about Ronnie Brewer has stepped in nicely. With an average16 points in the pre-season and 6 steals we knew we had someone special. Last night he proved that18 points 8 assists and 4 steals, and most of his points coming on cutting dunks that were huge momentum swingers he was so fun to watch. I guess what they say, Patience is a virtue, is really true. it's been a long time coming for Ronnie Brewer but boy was he worth the wait.

Our 3 point shooting center Mehmet Okur-Mehmet Okur can do it all. He plays inside and out. Shoots the 3 ball and stuffs Yao all in the same game. Mehmet can really step up when needed and we will need him this year. We were one of the poorest three point shooting teams in the league last year and we will need his touch this year.

Last but not least Andrei Kirilenko-Now there has been a lot of turmoil surrounding Kirilenko this off season, starting with him crying last year in the playoffs and then him thinking about vacation plans, and people questioning his commitment. Well I would have to say that all this stuff has been a distraction. About the crying, there is no crying here and no room for it so i'm glad he only did it once and he better not do it again. For vacation Eric Degan said it best, Kirilenko got a little homesick, he went home played huge in Russia winning the player of the tournament award, the MVP, if you will and was a little worried about coming back here. Well he's back and playing so don't worry about that. The commitment issue well I think that Kirilenko just forgot his role. We don't need him to score 20 points a night, just having him do what he does best is what we need. Blocks, steals, assists, and most importantly DEFENSE! He can be our best defender if he puts his mind to it and I think he will. I have always been a big fan of Kirilenko and will continue to be a fan. Especially after last night when we saw the old Kirilenko back. There was no crying and no questions about his commitment he was home and played like it with a stat sheet to prove. 8 assists, 9 points, 9 rebounds, 5 blocks and 4 steals. Nearly the 5x5 again. That's the Kirilenko we know and I think he'll be back this season stronger than ever. We built this team around him and he's here to play.

As for my sixth man I can't name just one there's to many so heres a list Paul Millsap, Matt Harpring, Gordon Giricek, and CJ Miles-Paul Millsap is my boy. He's huge and plays even bigger than he is. He is definitely my hustle player of the year. He makes the tough plays diving on the floor, just to get the ball and call timeout. Offensive rebounds, putbacks, defense on anyone. Paul Millsap was the steal of the draft a few years ago and he's so awesome. He's one of our best players hands down.
Matt Harpring is tougher than a bed of nails. Whenever you look at him he's down low battling or coming off screens. One of my favorite moves of his is his curl around a screen quick pass and he shoots. Hits it so often and so routinely. He's probably one of the toughest guys to defend. You can't hope to stop him, only hope to contain him.
Gordon! Gordon is our kick out guy. Him and Mehmet, we'll need him just as bad as we'll need Mehmet for our threes. He's backing up Ronnie this year which means DEFENSE also. He'll be put on the Ray Allen's, and Tracy McGradys. He will have tough assignments all year and we need him to step up.
Lastly CJ miles. CJ is another young'n. Coming out of the developmental leagues I think he will have a bigger role to play this year than we think. He can't come out as a dud anymore we need him to perform. And don't worry I think he will.

The Jazz have such a good team this year and I hope that we can keep up this intensity. After last nights performance which we won 117-96 against Golden State I am not too worried. The West is a tough Conference as usual and we'll have to watch out for the Denver Nuggets this year in our division. But I think we have it. My prediction? Well if I had to make a prediction I would say that while i'm on my mission the Jazz will win the NBA finals. Oh and another thing to point out last night we had 2 guys last night with a double double and 3 more with only one or two things away. Can you say team work? The Jazz are awesome and I can't wait to see more of them this year!

GO JAZZ!

My beloved Utah Utes

After last nights post of the Rockies I figured it would be a great time to say a little somthin' somthin' about the Utah Utes. I have been a Utah fan ever since I was born basically and am red through and through. Being a Utah fan you see the best of the best and the worst of the worst. You see joy and happiness and sadness and bitter disappointment. So this one goes out to the best ever Utah Utes!

This season the Utes have had a little bit of everything great wins, tough losses, and disappointing let downs. We started off with Oregon St. and Air force. The Air Force loss was especially difficult to swallow after losing on the one yard line again! Boo, but don't worry after many fans gave up and backs against the wall Coach Witt and the boys pulled out an awesome punishing win against UCLA. Then the let down against UNLV at Sam Boyd Stadium. After that though we have ticked off 5 straight wins against Utah State, Louisville, San Diego State, TCU, and Colorado State. There looking good and here are a few of the plyers making this happen. My keys to the Utes success if you will.
Brian Johnson (BJ)-The third most productive quarterback in 2005 looked promising until a season ending injury against New Mexico then red shirted. BJ has come back strong and led this team to 6-3. He runs our offense and leads this team. He will continue to lead us as long as he plays and he does a great job.

Darrell Mack-During the Ron McBride days you could always count on two things. First you could count on a 6-5 or 7-5 season almost without fail. The other thing you could count on was a great running back. One that could carry the team. Finally once again we have a running back that can pound out yards. He's inside, he's outside dipping, diving, dodging, ducking, all the way to the endzone. When Darrell Mack is doing his thing the Utes will win, and you can take that to the bank.
Steve Tate-A less well known Utah defensive back, also very versatile and plays the outside linebacker spot occasionally. Well let me tell you something Steve Tate is a big play maker. He plays outside his head, making hits and interceptions things that turn the tide of the game. This is so much overlooked momentum and big plays. Defensive backs can control the game and when Steve Tate is on making his plays you can bet we'll win.
Louie Sakoda- Louie flipping Sakoda the near perfect kicker. Louie Sakoda is as close to perfect as you get missing only one PAT in his career due to a bad hold. He is awesome on field goals, and pins teams inside the ten constantly. He is so awesome and the best kicker I think that Utah has ever seen. My hat goes off to Sakoda he's great.
The Utes Offinsive/Defensive Line-My last entry but definitely not least. The boys in the trenches. These are the guys were everything happens. They open up holes for Mack to hit, they protect Brian, we'll just say they make everything happen. The most underappreciated position in football. Sure they aren't the ones scoring the touchdowns but they might as well be. Their making it happen, play in and play out. Every day, every down, every time.


These are the fewest entries to describe playmakers. I didn't even get into the Wide Recievers, Derrick Richards, Brent Casteel, Marquis Wilson, Brian Hernandez or not to mention the other playmakers on defense like Brice McCain, Joe Jianonni, and all the boys out there playing 60 minutes. All I can say is keep it up Utes your awesome. Let's go get the last three games and show everyone what we can really do.

GO UTES!

Colorado Rockies

Another great season of Americas past time has come to an end this evening. Another glamorous season with all of it's ups and down, twists and turns, heartache and misery, joy and jubilant celebration. The Boston "Stinking" Red Sox have one another world series this time at the expense of the Colorado Rockies. In a 4 game sweep this team looked immaculate, and dismantled the Rockies. Kind of what I watched happen to my 2004 St. Louis Cardinals. So here's my tribute to possibly one of the greatest come back teams in history.With 13 games to go in the regular season the Rockies were 6 games behind the Padres and the Phillies. After pretty much most of the country counting them out they came back and won 14 of their last 13 games beating the Padres in a playoff game to see who would go to the playoffs. The Colorado Rockies then swept through the playoffs beating the Phillies, and the Diamondbacks, becoming The Cinderella team and Americas sweetheart at the same time. They became my favorite team in the playoffs and I watched all of their games. With a great defense and a solid offense they were so fun to watch. My sister Collie and I would get excited on game days and baseball once again became my favorite past time. With that being the last game i'll get to watch for two years I would love to say that i'm proud of the Rockies cause when no one believed in them, they did it. They never quit and should be able to hold their heads high after a stellar season. This post goes out to the Rockies, and one of the greatest baseball seasons ever.

GO ROCKS!

Oh boy!

Oh boy is definitely right! If you know me at all you know me well enough to know that I hate the red turn arrow. If you have never heard me rage about the red turn arrow I think it is so pointless. I think that, that most of this rage and anger comes from my running cross country and track all through high school and having to wait at the 5400 S. State street light. That light is the longest one ever and you never time it good so you always would have to wait. Well for the past while they have been working on that intersection and today they put the new lights into action.

So as me and Coleton Smith were driving to institute we saw the new lights and now there are 4 Red turn arrows in there. You used to have only two red turn arrows and two 5 cycle systems, but now 4 red turn arrows that light will take longer than ever. GRRRRR but whatever I guess. So for now all I can say is watch out for those red turn arrows.

And props go out to my sister Staci for getting me a Warren Miller ticket for Thursday. I will get a free ticket to the Canyons to go skiing, which I plan on using before I go on my mission.

Chaps my hide

So everyday brings new surprises, and that statement has never been so true like it was true yesterday. My friend Preston Wittwer (who is headed to Russia on the mission) called me up on that way to the BYU football game to tell me about an interview that J.K. Rowling had in New York. Well I have always loved J.K Rowling just because she writes the best books ever, pretty much. Well during the course of this interview a reporter asked her did Dumbledore, the Albus Dumbledore, the only one Voldermort ever feared, the man, well did he ever fall in love? Simple enough question a yes or no would suffice but NO! She then explains why yes he did. But I have to tell you something else about Dumbledore HE WAS GAY!

Did I just believe my ears, could Preston have been lying? Yes confirmed true by my own ears and eyes J.K. Rowling said he was gay. What a shot to the heart, but he's dead and Harry killed Voldermort so I guess life will go on. I just can't believe that, why would she do something such as that? It's tough to be a reader.

On to more pressing issues, today I was able to attend my friend McKay Davies farewell. He is bouncing out to the St. Louis Missouri mission. Best of luck to him he will be great! Also as of Wednesday we have another person preparing to enter the field in the Vancouver Canada mission. Elder Joshua Dietz has been called to Canada! Go get em, man it's great to see all my friends heading out and getting their calls. Look forward to later this week I think I will post everyones call that I know of! It's awesome

I was also able to go on a great date last night! I went with the wonderful Emily Sanford! It was so much fun we ate dinner at the Noodles and Co. Which I absolutely love and carved punkins and played a really fun game called professor or something like that. It was great pretty much and yes! Carving punkins rules, I thouroughly enjoy it! Anyway until happier days Peace!

So let it begin!

Hello!
My very first blog post, oh the wonderful world of the internet! Well heres some stuff about me so you know who this is. I am Elder Sponbeck, and I am proud to say I am going to be serving in the best mission in the world, to Santa Rosa California. I have a little time left before I leave which is December 5th and as of now I am English Speaking, but everyone who has ever served their or has been a mission president there that I have talked to said I will learn spanish because I will mostly teach migrant workers. Which I am definitely excited about!

Now you may wonder why would I get a blog so close to my mission well for a few reasons, one so I can write little posts about my two sisters blogs the other reason is my sisters once again have been bugging me to get one for a long time. So thats why is you may wonder. That's it for this time so until next time TTFN