David Locke, Carlos Boozer, and Dishonesty to Fans All Problems for the Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz organization has a few problems.

The Jazz are one of the smallest market teams in the NBA; however, they have the third highest payroll (after the luxury tax) this season.

The Jazz weren’t a strong defensive team last season. This season they brought back all of the same players, and they are still a terrible defensive team!

The Jazz organization has tried to sell the league and Jazz fans on the idea that Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap can co-exist on the same team. The production for both Boozer and Millsap is way down compared to last year.

The major excuse given by Jazz management is that once the team is healthy, then the team will start to compete at a top level. Last year when the team was healthy they played their worst basketball. This season, while Korver and Miles are injured, the rest of the team is healthy, and the team is now playing the same level of basketball they played to end last season. Awful selfish basketball!

This style of basketball isn’t going unnoticed by the Jazz fan base. Salt Lake City has always been one of the strongest basketball cities in the nation. Yet, anyone watching the Jazz’s first two home games against the Clippers and Rockets could see a noticeable absence of fans in the arena.

Traditionally the Jazz don’t start drawing large crowds until after the end of the college football regular season. Traditionally though this affects the upper-bowl more than the lower-bowl of Energy Solutions Arena. This season the lower-bowl just isn’t filling up. There are a lot of patches of empty green seats in the lower-bowl, and that is not good news for the Jazz organization.

The downturn in the economy has slowed ticket sales for the Jazz. Yet, last year the team was able to weather the economic downturn better than this season. So what has changed? Nothing and that is the problem.

Larry H. Miller was able to build the Jazz on a base of comfort and trust. He exemplified the slogan, “You know this guy!” Larry H. Miller was willing to shake hands with fans, and even come on the radio to talk about the team with the fans once a week.

Through this interaction the fans knew that Larry H. Miller was devoted to putting a winning team on the court, and keeping the Jazz in Utah.

Greg Miller who took over for Larry H. Miller after his father started suffering from serious illnesses and eventually passed away doesn’t have that trust with the fans.

There are many reasons Jazz fans are wary of Greg Miller. Greg was has been in charge of running the car dealership arm of the Miller corporation, and too many customers have been burned by shady business practices at those dealerships. Greg never claimed to be a fan of the game like Larry, and that means he will look at the Jazz organization much more like a business trying to make money first.

Some changes which reflected this business first approach to the Jazz: The decision not to televise preseason games, the move away from televising any games on KJZZ, not accommodating long time season ticket holders during last season’s playoffs to try and make a quick buck, and resorting to gimmicks instead of relationships of trust for selling tickets.

The opening speech Greg gave before the start of the season reflected the tension between the fans and the new head of ownership. Greg gave an awkward speech in which he somewhat threatened fans. He stated the team would stay in Utah as long as there was proper fan support. While some might say his intentions was to complement fans for supporting the team in the past. The message was very clear; the team with the third largest payroll needs to sell some tickets— or else!

A good example of the disconnect between fans and management is the hiring of David Locke to take over the radio play-by-play duties for the Jazz. When the announcement was made there was a large outcry over the hiring of Locke. Many locally remember him from his days of calling WNBA basketball games were worried about the direction the team wanted to go.

Management and Locke supporters made the claim that Locke was one of the best hires the Jazz could make. This is the same man who was fired after a single season in Seattle doing the same play-by-play job. The arguments that the Sonic fans used for firing him were similar to the complaints of Jazz fans before he took over the radio job.

Locke doesn’t have a play-by-play voice. He focuses too much on the stats and not enough on the game. He just turns the broadcast into an extension of his show. He forces his opinions down the throats of the listeners to the radio broadcast, instead of telling the facts of the game.

I wanted to give Locke a chance to prove his doubters wrong. I wanted to give him a listen during a game. I made it five minutes or so of actual game time before I turned it off (it might have been longer or shorter I wouldn’t know with Locke giving the call). I had no idea what was going on in the game!

Locke wasn’t giving a live description of the game; rather it was more like listening to him carrying on a conversation while the game just happened to be going on in the background. You could hear the crowd react to something in the background, but Locke would continue his thought and then fill in the three or four plays which had occurred.

I ended up calling my sister to know what was going on in the game. In a single sentence from my sister I knew the score, who was playing well, and what was going on in the game. She started to give me actual play-by-play, while she is no master wordsmith she was an instant improvement over David Locke.

I wanted to give Locke the benefit of the doubt.

No one is instantly great at a new job. Yet, according to Locke’s own website he has been doing radio play-by-play since 1998. This is not new to him. He is just terrible!

It just seems as if David Locke doesn’t understand that we as a radio audience cannot see the game. We are relying on him to describe the game like a storyteller. Giving us a detail description of how the players move on the court so we can imagine the court in our mind. Locke seems to think a description of the game would take away from his analysis.

So what are the Jazz fans left to do about the Locke situation?

There are only thirty or so NBA radio play-by-play jobs. This means that there are a lot of people who would try to get a limited number of jobs. According to simple economic principles the Jazz should have had a lot of great possible hiring options, due to the scarcity of quality radio jobs. The Jazz organization made a bad hire.

The organization has to defend its hire, instead of just finding a better solution. The team will tell fans to support Locke because he is part of the Jazz organization now. This builds more distrust with the fans, and will drive more away from the team.

Jazz fans are not dumb. The fans in Utah are very basketball savvy and they know good basketball and bad basketball when they see it. They also know when management isn’t being straight with them.

Locke is a terrible play-by-play guy. Boozer is having a terrible affect on the Jazz and Millsap while he is on the court. The defense of the Jazz will not be fixed when everyone “gets healthy.” Boozer and Millsap are both undersized and it is hurting Utah’s point production in the paint. The status quo will not be good enough to compete in the Western Conference, and might not be good enough to even make the playoffs.

Greg Miller needs to learn a lesson from his late Father. Larry H. was always upfront with the fans. He didn’t try to sell anything that wasn’t there. If the Jazz weren’t performing on the court he was the first to admit it. Larry H. proved he was on the side of the fans. He was concerned about putting a quality product on the court, and knew if he treated the fans right the fans would do their part.

It is time for the organization to be more upfront with the fans. Stop trying to sell us on the team, and just talk to the fans about the team. There is huge support for the Jazz in the community; we are already sold on supporting the Jazz. The only thing the Jazz are doing is destroying the trust they have with their fans, and ruining another season by taking no action.

The problem with the Jazz is doing nothing. Unless the Jazz do something, nothing is all which come of this season.

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Mark's Thoughts: The Best Sports Radio in Utah Volume II

Rating again the best sports talk radio in Utah...

Last year, I rated the best sports radio in Utah. Click here for a link to last year's rankings. There have been some substantial changes in the sports radio landscape. Yet, the basic battle still exists between the two major powerhouses of 1320 KFAN and 1280 The Zone. As far as popularity, 1320 KFAN is running away with it. Ever since David James and Patrick Kinahen jumped ship from 1280 The Zone to 1320 KFAN, 1280 The Zone's numbers have fallen steadily.

In last year's ratings I didn't include any of the national sports programs, such as: Jim Rome, Dan Patrick, Colin Cowherd, and Mike and Mike in the morning. I wanted to stick strictly to sports radio in Utah. Here are head-to-head comparisons based on the shows time slot.

1320 KFAN - DJ & PK In The Morning (David James and Patrick Kinahen) 6-10AM
Vs.
1280 The Zone - The John & Hans Show(John Lund and Hans Olsen) 6-10AM

DJ & PK used to be the kings of all of sports talk radio. For many people they still are the kings; however, the best work of DJ & PK are behind them. These two mail in performances every day. It seems they have gone with the David Letterman philosophy of broadcasting. Find a bit which works, and then beat it into the ground until it just isn't funny or entertaining anymore. DJ & PK found that bit. Patrick Kinahen will say something obviously outrageous; David James will then play the straight man and try not to react to what Kinahen is saying. Kinhen will then continue to go further and further to cause some type of reaction from either James or the listening audience. They will continue this formula for the entire four hours of their show. There is nothing new, nothing good, and nothing entertaining about DJ & PK.

John and Hans on the other hand have come quite far since last year's rankings. John and Hans have excellent chemistry, and they are both hungry to bring something new and fresh to their listening audience each day. The show is entertaining no matter how long or when you tune into listen to it. John and Hans have also become better at getting good interviewees for their show. The qualities of their interviewees are still slightly behind PK & DJ; however, the actual interviews themselves are better on John and Hans. When I listen to an interview I want to know something new about the person who is being interviewed. I want someone who will bring out the personality of the interviewee. John and Hans have an ability to have better interviews with their guests, even if their guests aren’t as high profile as their competition. DJ & PK tend to just suck their interviewee into their broken worn out shtick.

I have always been a big fan of DJ & PK, but John and Hans are producing a better show than DJ & PK in the morning. It is still worth it to switch over to 1320 KFAN to catch a good DJ & PK interview, or during the commercials of John and Hans. Besides that John and Hans will keep you informed and entertained in the mornings. In fact, John and Hans might be the best sports talk show in all of Utah.

1320 KFAN - Powerhouse (Alema Harringtion and Scott Garrard)1-3PM
Vs.
1280 The Zone - Jake & Gunther(Jake Scott and Kyle Gunther) 10-2PM

It is hard to compare these two shows head-to-head, the shows only overlap for an hour. To keep the layout of the article simple, I will pair these two shows against each other.

Jake & Gunther is a newer sports talk show venture. The show is slanted to really have a University of Utah bias; however, I am actually like that part of the show. Why? They don't try to hide their bias, and they still are able to give somewhat realistic opinions in regards to BYU sports. They also have the ability to give excellent insight into the mind frame of the Salt Lake, University of Utah sports fan. If you are looking for a local program when everyone else has a national show, then try Jake & Gunther. Just don't have your expectations too high.

Powerhouse has improved since David Fox left the program. Scott Gurrard has always been a steady contributor to 1320 KFAN shows. Scott Gurrard is able to deal with Alema Harrington and keep the moving and topical. The program still has some serious problems, and is for the most part forgettable. This is definitely the weakest of the shows on 1320 KFAN.

Both Jake & Gunther and Powerhouse aren't amazing shows; however, there is potential with both shows. It will be worth tuning into both shows in the near future to see if either show could hit their stride.

1320 KFAN - Locked on Sports (David Locke and Ben Bagley) 3-6PM
Vs.
1280 The Zone - Monson & Graham (Gordan Monson and Kevin Graham) 2-6PM

I was in a long conversation on the golf course with my brother about David Locke. Locke is one of the most interesting sports personalities in Utah. He is also one of the biggest egos in all of Utah. My brother's opinion of the afternoon sports radio in Utah sums up my own view. My brother said, "I listen to Locke simply because you can't beat the information and interviews, but really beating out the other guys [Monson & Graham] is like being named the least smelly fat girl at the school dance.”

David Locke is an aggressive, pigheaded, egomaniac. He is also a stats geek, and has some real pull to bring in some big name interviewees (although it is hard to know how much you should credit Locke for the Interviewees he gets, and how much of that credit should go to his producers). Locke also will come with a new point of view every day. He will surprise people many times with a new point of view. The problem with Locke is the fact that he will constantly contradict himself trying to prove to people he is right. He refuses to admit he is wrong. If Locke had that ability of taking a small humble step back and look at himself and his opinions from a new point of view, then he would instantly improve his program. It doesn't bother me that Locke will stick to his opinion, but what does bother me is he will use simple shock techniques to try and drive his radio show and claim them as long held opinions.

For example, Locke has claimed to have a few "long held personal views" about BYU football. He has claimed that BYU has always been the flagship of the Mountain West Conference, and that they are far better than the other teams in the league. He has also claimed that BYU is the barometer of college football. BYU is always the same, "non-elite" program each year, and cannot be an elite level college football program. He has also claimed that BYU is enough of an elite program to go independent, and succeed against a tough BCS level schedule. He has also claimed BYU is not a BCS level program, and BYU could never play in a BCS conference. These are just a few examples of Locke’s long held opinions. Each of these opinions Locke presented with absolute certainty on his program, and disregarded the fact he changed his position multiple times. This is just an example with BYU football, but Locke has also done this with U of U athletic teams, and the Jazz.

Locke isn't a great host, nor is he really a great interviewer. The only interview which Locke succeeds at is the interview in which he is attacking the interviewee. Locke's interviews with Craig Thompson, Mountain West Conference Commissioner, are classics. Yet, listening to Locke host the Deron Williams show was a train wreck. Also personally attending a Utah Jazz fan event where Kevin O'Connor was answering fan questions, and having Locke try to steal the spotlight and ask his own question to Kevin O'Connor was dreadful. Kevin O'Connor finally had to take control of the event from David Locke, and fans were finally able to participate and have a good time.

The desire to be a good host is there for David Locke, and he seems to be a tremendous worker which also shows in his program. David Locke could be a lot better than he is right now, and it really wouldn't have to be major changes. For now Locke continues to be good only in small servings, otherwise he just turns annoying.

My wife couldn't stand sports when we first got married, but through hard work and patience she has become quite a sports fan. I have even got her to start listening to sports radio (She really likes John and Hans in the morning). She will actually choose to listen to sport radio even when I am not in the car with her. She will listen to about anyone in the market, except for David Locke. Her comments on Locke, "His [David Locke’s] voice is whinny and it gives me a headache when I listen to it." My wife dobbed Locke the “annoying radio guy,” and refuses to call him anything but that in conversations we have about him.

It will be interesting to see if Locke can handle both his show and the Jazz play-by-play duties, and bring in a wider Jazz audience.

David Locke's ego is only eclipsed by a single man in Utah, Gordan Monson. The problem Monson has is he just isn't as informed or entertaining as David Locke. Monson really is the ivory tower intellect of sports talk radio. He only sees things one way, and he is going to spew his wisdom down to the Utah masses like sweet flowery dew drops. All Utahns are supposed to accept his opinion as sports doctrine, rejoice in the fact that Gordon Monson even spoke his wisdom to them, and continue their pointless existences.

Pairing Kevin Graham with Gordon Monson has never been a perfect fit, even though Graham has brought some interesting segments to the program. "Susan the Truth Machine" is actually a good segment, and one which Kevin Graham engineered. Graham is about as high brow as an eighth grader in a farting contest. The only difference is the eighth grader probably has a deeper voice. This odd couple of the radio just isn't entertaining, nor is it worth tuning into listen to them.

(Side note: There is also an afternoon sports program on Kall 700 Sports - Bill and Spence (Bill Riley and Spencer Checketts). It really isn't fair to include them in the conversation about afternoon sports talk, they are really that bad.)

In the afternoon Locke is by far the best listening option in Utah. If you listen to Locked on Sports you are guaranteed to get new information, and also listen to quality interviewees. Is it the best show you could imagine? No, but is the best of what Utah currently has in the afternoon? Yes, clear winner.

1320 KFAN - Game Night (Ben Bagley) 6-7PM
Vs.
NOBODY

Ben Bagley might be the best part of Locked on Sports.Although not officially mentioned as a co-host, he is a voice of reason on Locked on Sports. He is a really good host of KFAN Game Night; a show which basically replays the best interviews and segments from the other programs on 1320 KFAN that day.Yet, Ben Bagley shows he is an excellent host, and good with opinions and insights.Ben Bagley might have the same appeal as the back-up quarterback, looks great until he is given the big job; however, right now Ben Bagley is great to listen to at night.I simply cannot see why they don’t have a show with both Ben Bagley and Scott Garrard.

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Mark's Thoughts: The Best Sports Radio in Utah

1280 The Zone vs. 1320 KFAN, breaking down show by show...

Editors Notes: Here is a link to the current "The Best Sports Radio in Utah, Volume II"

I am a sports radio junky. It is not only an excellent source of entertainment, but a great forum for voicing opinions about sports related topics. There are more than two sports stations in Utah, but there are only two that really matter. 1280 The Zone and 1320 KFAN. Both have overall solid content but here is a head-to-head guide comparing the two.

1320 KFAN DJ & PK In the Morning(David James & Patrick Kinahen) 6-10AM
VS.
1280 The Zone Manly Morning Show(John Lund & Hans Olsen) 6-10AM

When David James and Patrick Kinahen were with 1280 The Zone they were the kings of the morning sports shows in Utah. Then they took more money and moved, with most of their audience, to 1320 KFAN. With this change came the rise of John Lund and Hans Olsen for 1280 The Zone. The chemistry between Han and John is great and hilarious. Lund deserves the lion's share of the credit for his ability to set up Olsen's wackiness. With the move to 1320 KFAN the chemistry between James and Kinahen has gone down hill. Kinahen, known for his sarcastic whining, has become even more foul tempered, and James now comes off as disinterested. They are still entertaining, but not to the same level as they were when they were on 1280 The Zone. Content is really the deciding factor between the shows. DJ & PK get the much better interviews with local and national players/reporters. Overall I would have to give this match up to 1320's DJ & PK; however, it is close enough to switch back and forth during the commercials to catch segments of the Manly Morning Show.

1320 KFAN A-Game In The Afternoon(Alema Harrington & Dave Fox) 1-3PM
VS.
1280 The Zone Jake and Jim Show(Jake Scott & Jim Fuchuck) 1-3PM

There is a clear cut winner and loser in this situation. Jake and Jim blow A-Game out of the water. There is no good chemistry that exists between Harrington and Fox that translates over the radio. While Scott and Fuchuck are the most underrated radio tag-team in the market. Jake Scott, an admitted Utah fanatic(I really enjoy when the host will explain their biases and keep them in the open), is a good straight man for Fuchuck's type of humor. They are also able to attract good interviews to the lower rated early afternoon audience. Fox and Harrington on the other hand are unbearable to listen to for the most part. They have some good moments, but they are very few and far between. Fox is unattractively full of himself. I don't know if he is that way in real life or if it is just his radio personality, but either way it is not very pleasant to hear. Alema Harrington...we know you are from Hawaii, you don't need to keep reminding us of this fact with all of your comments. If you haven't yet discovered Jake and Jim make the switch and enjoy.

1320 KFAN Locked On Sports(David Locke) 3-6PM
VS.
1280 The Zone The Big Show(Gordon Monson & Kevin Graham) 3-7PM

The match up between Locked On Sports and The Big Show is the battle of the biggest egos in the market. Gordon Monson vs. David Locke, the battle of the bigheads. They both have different tactics of trying to prove their superiority to their listeners. Locke will establish a position and not deviate from that stance no matter what. While Monson is like that honors society nerd you sat next to in college classes that always tried to hijack lectures, because he thought he was on a higher mental plain then all the other good-for-nothings in the class. At least Locke likes to be challenged by callers with a differing point-of-view(as long as they acknowledge the validity of Locke's point-of-view);however, Monson will lash out at those callers not agreeing whole heartily with him. Kevin Graham is a terrible tag team partner for Monson, and it is really to bad that he is paired with Monson. Alone he is a very good host, with Monson he sounds like a hyper fourteen year old. Content is the difference maker. Locke interviews can't be matched by the Big Show. Locke might not be the best interviewer, but the lineup of stars he gets is awesome.

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