The View From Section 3: Utah Jazz Home Opener Vs. Portland Trail Blazers

Nov 4, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) dribbles the ball around Utah Jazz guard Raul Neto (25) during the first quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Background: I’m a lifelong Utah Jazz fan and first-time season ticket holder. In The View From Section 3 series, I want to bring everyone along for the ride. Today, I bring you game one–Wednesday’s now-infamous home opener against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Here is a journal of my experiences from the day of the game–

8:07 AM: How am I supposed to focus on work with the Jazz home opener looming? It was fun going to the preseason home games, but tonight will be the real deal! Vivint Smart Home Arena will be packed and loud.

Red Panda will be performing at halftime. To be honest, when people brought up Red Panda on Twitter Monday I had to do a Google search to even figure out who that is. It should be cool though! Tonight, my game buddy will be my three-year old daughter Autumn. I’ll have a rotating cast of people coming to games with me including my wife, kids, brother and maybe co-workers.

I’m not the only one that is excited about the game. Trey Lyles is feeling it too–

"How many others get the"

12:21 PM: I’m spending a few minutes on Twitter. Jody Genessy (Utah Jazz beat writer, Deseret News) shared some info regarding giveaway items for the games. I commented that I hoped more giveaways would be added. Jody had a good response–

Now I’m watching/listening to Quin Snyder’s post-shootaround interview. He’s talking about the Trail Blazers playing loose and Aminu being a great defender. He mentioned that other guys have to be ready to go if Derrick Favors (flu) isn’t able to play.

Classic coachspeak on that topic. What is he supposed to say though? Coach Snyder also thinks that the practice time after the last preseason game and before the season started helped and that the team wasn’t where they wanted to be in the preseason.

7:00 PM: I somehow made it to the game on time. Things got a little busy at work, as well as in getting home, getting kids and all sorts of fun stuff. You can just feel the energy here.

The only downer is that the people who sit directly behind me must be season ticket holders, because I’ve encountered them multiple times. They’re not super annoying, but they are a group of guys who just don’t ever be quiet and watch the game. They’re always having a conversation, sometimes about the game, sometimes not. But they are never quiet!

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10:30 PM: Well, going to the game was a lot fun. With it being the home opener, Dan Roberts introduced every member of the team before doing the starting lineups. Would it have been more fun to see a Jazz win? Of course. But it’s a long season and I’m confident the Jazz will figure it out.

By the way, Red Panda was awesome! I’d seen her perform before, I just hadn’t really remembered the name. Also, the Jazz Bear was on the top of his game and it was great to see one of his signature sled rides.

It’s going to be a great season! Even if the always-talking guys behind me are never quiet. Stick around, Jazz Nation! Let’s make it a fun year, whether watching at home or from the Vivint Smart Home Arena. Peace out!