Utah Jazz: Chris Paul still doesn’t know what a homer is

Chris Paul and the Houston Rockets are set to face the wrath of a raucous Utah Jazz crowd at Vivint Smart Home Arena.

After getting the road split, the Utah Jazz suddenly find themselves in a position no one expected them to be in during their second-round series. I’m talking homecourt advantage in Round 2 over the top-seeded Houston Rockets. As Inspector Gadget might say, “Wowzers!”

Utah’s improbable run could get even more wild with the action shifting to Salt Lake City for Game 3. Now, the Rockets will have to contend with 18,300 raucous fans at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Or, as Chris Paul continues to call them, “homers.”

That’s right; for the second consecutive postseason, CP3 has branded Jazz fans with a label that kind of feels like a dig. Whether or not it’s actually meant that way is a matter for debate.

Here’s what Paul said following his team’s 116-108 Game 2 loss to the Jazz —

"“It’s going to be loud, rowdy… Like I said last year, they’ve got a lot of homers, people who cheer for their team… It should be jumping.”"

There’s probably a reason Paul dropped his own definition of what a homer is here. The comments he’s referring to from last year, when he was with the LA Clippers, really drew the ire of the Jazz faithful.

Although he spoke at length about the great crowds in Salt Lake at the time, he dropped the homer label, which doesn’t exactly pack the most flattering connotation. Here’s one of the word’s definitions from the Urban Dictionary —

Homer: Someone who shows blind loyalty to a team or organization, typically ignoring any shortcomings or faults they have.

Jazz fans probably don’t feel like they’re dummies that are overlooking a lot of things and cheering for their team without cause or reason. They’re loyal, yes, but blind loyalty almost implies something that’s misplaced or erroneous.

Other definitions include talk of American boneheads and succeeding despite idiocy. Again — not exactly the best vibes there.

I, for one, still think Paul is trying to say something nice. He just chose the wrong word and, for whatever reason, has decided to double-down on it.

In any event, fans should probably be more concerned with the action on the court. The Jazz are in the driver’s seat for now, but questions abound for Game 3.

Can the Jazz continue to shoot lights-out from three? Will they have the same success in attacking Houston’s switches? Is it even possible for Dante Exum to remain as effective as he’s been against James Harden? Will Donovan Mitchell get back to scoring the ball? What’s Ricky Rubio‘s status? Is Jinglin’ Joe the new Larry Bird?

Those things are infinitely more important than anything said at a post-game presser.

Next: Utah Jazz capable of more despite big Game 2 win

The one thing I’m not questioning is whether or not Jazz fans will bring the noise on Friday night. I expect the homers will be in top form.