Utah Jazz, WGU Team Up To Give Four Students A Year Of Tuition by Ryan Aston

In a column appearing on SLTrib.com today, The Salt Lake Tribune’s Kurt Kragthorpe offers Utah Jazz fans a sobering look at how much things have changed over the years. In the piece, Kragthorpe calls attention to the fact that it has now been five years since Utah’s last victory in the NBA Playoffs.

The win came at home in Game 6 of the team’s first round series with the Denver Nuggets in 2010. The Jazz were paced in victory by Wesley Matthews and Carlos Boozer. They were swept from the playoffs by Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in the round that followed.

Given an era of playoff success that spanned over two decades before the current drought, it’s hard to believe the Jazz have now joined a group of only five teams that has failed to notch a playoff victory since April 30th, 2010.

Considering the current trajectory of the team, it’s reasonable to assume that the drought will end sooner rather than later, but Kragthorpe’s column paints an interesting portrait of how much things have changed in the last few years.

Former Jazzman Kyle Korver Wins NBA Sportsmanship Award

It’s been an incredible year for former Utah Jazz sharpshooter Kyle Korver. The 34-year-old received his first All-Star nod this season and his current squad, the Atlanta Hawks, paced the Eastern Conference with a record of 60-22.

The good tides continued for Korver today as the NBA announced him as the 2014-15 recipient of the Joe Dumars Trophy, the league’s award for sportsmanship.

Kyle Korver won the 2014-15 NBA Sportsmanship Award. There isn't a more deserving player. He still does charity in Utah years after leaving. — Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) April 29, 2015

Korver’s charitable efforts have been well-documented; the fact the he’s still extending a helping hand in Salt Lake City years after leaving the Jazz is a testament to his character. That character has been evident on the court as well, making Korver more than worthy of the honor bestowed on him today.

Props to Korver for continuing to be one of the good guys in the NBA and kudos to the league for recognizing him with the award.

Happy Birthday Chris Johnson!

Finally, I would like to offer a shout out to Jazz forward Chris Johnson, who is celebrating his 25th birthday today.

Congrats Chris—may the hair on your toes never fall out.