Dec 5, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Jeremy Evans warms up prior to the game against the Orlando Magic at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
So, last night’s Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao fight didn’t quite live up to the hype. Just check, well, anywhere—boxing fans and media alike have been burning up the net to that regard for the better part of the last day.
Surprising? Perhaps not; Mayweather is arguably the greatest defensive fighter of all time and the Pacquiao of old is long gone at this point. Still, despite a lack of fireworks, the bout did afford Utah Jazz forward Jeremy Evans the opportunity to flex his artistic muscles:
Say what you will about the subject of Evans’ art, the lanky forward’s likeness of “Pretty Boy” Floyd is still right on the Money. His artistic talents continue to impress.
Late last season, Evans displayed a collection of works before a Jazz home game. Regardless of whether or not he returns to the team next season, his creations have no doubt inspired a generation of Jazz fans.
May 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll (5) shows emotion against the Washington Wizards in the second quarter in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
DeMarre Carroll Lighting It Up for the Atlanta Hawks
Sunday afternoon, the Atlanta Hawks began their second-round series with John Wall and the Washington Wizards. Despite dropping the game to the D.C. crew, former Jazzman DeMarre Carroll continued to state his case for a big-money contract this offseason.
In the game versus Washington, Carroll finished with 24 points in 38 minutes of play and connected on five bombs from three-point range. In seven postseason contests, Carroll is now averaging over 18 points and nearly seven boards per game on 55-percent shooting and just under 49-percent from behind the arc.
If GM Dennis Lindsey and the Jazz are looking to spend some cash this summer and the top-tier free agents are not in play, Carroll could be the guy to drop their dime on.
Last month, Carroll checked in at No. 2 on my list of small forwards the team could look at in free agency. His recent performance only emboldens my belief that the man who played 86 games for Utah from 2011 to 2013 could have a large impact on coach Quin Snyder’s current crew.
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Jazz legend “Pistol” Pete Maravich in action with New Orleans. – Robert Kingsbury
This Day In Jazz History: New Orleans Jazz Acquire “Pistol” Pete Maravich
Finally, today marks the anniversary of a key moment in the history of the Jazz franchise. It was on this day in 1974 that the expansion New Orleans Jazz acquired “Pistol” Pete Maravich from the aforementioned Atlanta Hawks.
The price was steep—first-round draft picks in 1974 and 1975, second-round picks in 1975 and 1976, as well as the team’s second and third selections in the expansion draft. Still, Maravich became the face of the franchise during its time in New Orleans.
In 330 games with the organization (only 17 of which were in Utah), Maravich averaged 25.2 points, 5.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987.