Driven

Available only at your local Deseret Book starting May 1st.

A Fitting Tribute

The D-News is reporting the potential liklihood of the Utah Jazz honoring the deceased legend of Salt Lake City and former owner of the Utah Jazz, Larry H. Miller.

"The Jazz likely will retire a number in Miller's honor and may even someday erect a statue of him to stand alongside those of John Stockton and Karl Malone outside of EnergySolutions Arena."

How cool would that be?! Putting up a statue of Larry H. just behind those of Karl and Stock. I can just imagine it now... A statue depicting a heftier-set man, with a round 'Santa-like' belly, a slightly balding combover, a friendly smile with an out-reached hand (You know this guy!), and of course, unusually-larger-than-normal, constructured elbows... perhaps even a tear coming from off his face. I can't wait for the day! Perhaps the Jazz ought to retire a 'collared-golf shirt' or 'softball jersey' instead of a 'numbered Jazz jersey' for Larry? That would certainly set him apart as "Father" of all things Jazz.

We Loved This Guy

All of us at TCG extend our best wishes and heart-felt condolences to the Miller family. Below are links to several articles honoring Larry Miller and his legacy.

An Extraordinary Life

Leaders, Players, Coaches remember Larry H. Miller

Miller was a Superfan to the End

Utah Jazz's Miller Always was in League of his Own

Sure, you knew this guy, but...

Utah owner Miller won't listen to Jazz on the Sabbath 

A peacful death for Jazz owner Miller

Larry H. Miller

It's a sad day in Utah.  

Like any of us, Larry H. Miller wasn't perfect, but he brought Jazz fans Stockton and Malone, two trips to the Finals, Frank Layden and Jerry Sloan, the Delta Center, and Deron Williams.  Miller's teams always competed.  And most importantly, despite numerous offers, he never even considered leaving the NBA's smallest market for greener pastures.   Miller always said the Jazz were "his gift to Utah."  And what a gift they've been.  

You will be missed, Larry.  

More of the Booze

Remember this guy?  He's weighed in on the Boozer opt-out talk by revealing that last year Carlos requested he be dealt somewhere with a better climate for his young son, who is suffering from sickle cell anemia.  Maybe I'm cynical, but I buy this kind of talk a lot more when it comes from Derek Fisher than Carlos Boozer.  And I get the feeling Larry does too.  

Like Boozer's original comment last week, the timing of LHM's words are interesting.  Bit of a reminder to Utah's oft-injured power forward that the Jazz brass can communicate/negotiate through the press just as well as he can, perhaps? 

You Know This Guy Who Just Got Out of the Hospital

The D News is reporting that Larry Miller just got out of the hospital, which is of course a good thing. He also had a heart attack, three operations, kidney problems, internal bleeding, and is in a wheelchair. Oh, and admits that it's a miracle he's alive. So I don't think things are exactly going swimmingly. Knowing Larry though, he'll be up early to watch D Will and Boozer play in the Olympics on Sunday. Er, will be up bright and early to set the VCR to record the game so he can watch it on Monday after the sabbath ends.

Breaking News

A bit of breaking news out of the SLC. The Tribune is reporting that Greg Miller, Larry Miller's son, is going to be the new CEO of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies. A further sign, perhaps, that TCG's favorite softball player is not in the best of shape. Godspeed, LHM!

You Know This Guy Is Still In the Hospital

The Salt Lake Tribune has an article today stating that Jazz owner Larry H. Miller is still a patient at the University of Utah Medical Center, nearly a month after being admitted. Not many people have hospital stays for a month unless they are 1) really sick or 2) in detox. While I suppose it's within the realm of possibility that he has a closeted addiction of some sort, the chances of that are slim enough that we can rule out #2. Interestingly, he will not be participating in the upcoming contract negotiations with Deron Williams. This contract is pivotal to both the Jazz's immediate and long-term future, and "The White Rhino" has a reputation for having a hands-on management style, so his absence gives further credence to the notion that his health is not so hot.

Although the Jazz are on no one's short list of franchises to relocate, the recent move of the Seattle Supersonics franchise, a team once beloved by the Emerald City, shows that nobody is invulnerable. It is well known that Miller is absolutely committed to keeping the team in Salt Lake. But in his absence (God forbid), a combination of poor management, economic downturn, and the citizenry's penchant for fiscal conservatism, especially when it comes to raising taxes (i.e., money needed for a new stadium), could produce a perfect storm grave enough to renege on this once-solid commitment, either by his family or a new owner. If the situation ever became that dire, let's hope that the owner, whoever it is, has a solid relationship with the First Lady of Utah.

While this doom-and-gloom scenario is only something to talk about in the mid-July sports dead zone, a question remains. That question is posed no better than by Larry H.'s mother, Lorraine, who asked him, "How the hell are you going to get out of this?"

However he does it, everyone here at The Cowhide Globe wishes Larry H. Miller a full and speedy recovery because, despite his faults, we know this guy, and we need this guy.