Fond memories of the Jazz. When I first got there in '81, they were cellar dwellers. They had Rich Kelly and Billy Paultz on the front line, and Daryl Griffith at shooting guard. Griffith would hoist up 25 shots a night to score 25 points, and the Jazz might win every third or fourth game.
I worked downtown and lived on 5th East and Third South, so I'd just walk to work. Several times I passed Billy Paultz. He'd be by himself, walking along and eating a frozen yogurt, staring into it intently, I think so people would leave him alone. He was real tall and real wide. I don't know where he got his clothes.
Kelly was quotable and Paultz was Paultz, so the Jazz were looked on as loveable losers. One year, I can't remember how, they actually made the playoffs, and gave Houston a hard time. Paultz made the highlight reels when Akeem Olajuawan got frustrated and punched him in the face from behind.
Later on the Jazz got the Mailman and Stockton and got very good. Now they're gone, and with them a lot of the Jazz's identity. I no longer live in Zion and don't keep close track of the Jazz any more. One thing's for sure. They'll never get two draft steals like Stockton and Malone so close together again.Edited by: Hockaday