Utah Jazz editorial: Over the top Jimmer fandom was an embarrassment

The recent outburst of in-game praise for newly signed Phoenix Suns guard Jimmer Fredette was an embarrassing look for Utah Jazz fans.

Last Monday night’s contest between the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz should have been an ordinary game like any other. However, it turned out to be anything but that. With the Suns’ newly signed guard Jimmer Fredette, a former BYU standout, in town, fans of the local university came out in droves to support their former hero.

That in and of itself was a fine gesture. Jimmer’s story undoubtedly is an inspiring one. Especially if you were a fan of his in college, who wouldn’t want to see him return to his college home in his long-awaited return to the NBA?

When Fredette entered the game, he was met with thunderous applause and a standing ovation. Again, this was to be expected and was yet another fine gesture. Opposing players often get ovations when they’ve meant something formerly to the team or community. And for BYU fans, who also happen to make up a large portion of the Jazz fanbase, Jimmer represented just that.

Unfortunately, following his ovation upon entering the game, that’s when things quickly got embarrassing.

Before long, a large host of fans were booing calls that went against Jimmer, despite the fact that they helped the Jazz. Although he continued to miss shot after shot, the building lit up with cheers each time he caught the ball. When Fredette finally scored his first points, the building erupted as if the Jazz had just hit a game winner in the playoffs. There were chants of ‘We want Jimmer’ and ‘MVP’ coming from the crowd. The cheers for a player on the opposing team were significantly louder than those directed at the Jazz.

Louder than an impressive Joe Ingles dunk. Louder than repeated solid plays by Derrick Favors. Louder than Rudy Gobert breaking the NBA single-season dunk record.

And that, my friends, is what made it such an embarrassment.

Look, I get it. Jimmer was a huge fan favorite and fans of the school down south were excited to see him back in action. But the pedestal he was placed on over not only the current Jazz team but other Utah college alums was ridiculous. I don’t care what jersey he wore back in the day or what his comeback story is, at the end of the day he’s on the opposing team. And as a home crowd, there should never be greater support for a visitor than the team you’re supposedly there to cheer on.

The ovation when Jimmer entered the game was fine. Several players have received similar receptions such as Paul Millsap, Alec Burks, DeMarre Carroll and other former Jazzmen. But the second the game clock starts up once again, that beloved player is now against us. And the often so-called best fanbase in the NBA should know better.

It would have been different if it was a loud contingent of Suns fans at the game, but it certainly wasn’t. And, sure, I’m certain several BYU fans came to this game exclusively to see their former hero, prioritizing their Cougar fandom over their love of the Jazz. But none of that changes the fact that as a whole, it was a bad look for a Jazz fanbase that already has had its share of black eyes this season.

You don’t see cheers anywhere close to that for former in-state college standouts Kyle Kuzma, Delon Wright, Jakob Poeltl and most significantly Damian Lillard, the latter of which is certainly more deserving of such admiration than Jimmer. Part of that is due to the fact that Fredette’s forgettable NBA career thus far made him a rare novelty on Monday night whereas the others have become proven staples. But it’s also a testament to the fact that fans of those players know how to respect the team of their home fandom better than the Jimmermania crazed attendees.

And if you don’t agree with me, then don’t take my word for it. Instead take it from the Jazz players themselves. Jae Crowder was visibly bothered by the crowd reaction during the game. Joe Ingles refused to even talk about it during post-game, responding to a Jimmer question with a sharp and exasperated tone.

Donovan Mitchell showed support in his typical cheery attitude, but there was definitely an exasperated backhand compliment in there. Meanwhile, Rudy Gobert exhibited annoyance while crediting the fan exuberance to having something to do with religion.

In other words, to Jazz fans that see Jimmer as nothing more than another visiting player of no significance and to the actual players themselves, Monday’s showing from a large contingent of the Jazz fanbase was both cringe-worthy and embarrassing. Sometimes from a basketball and roster standpoint, Utah feels like it’s finally breaking past the stereotypes and becoming a favorable free agent destination.

Then things like this happen, and one can’t help but ask, is it any wonder we struggle to get free agents to come here?

Hopefully the reaction from Jazz players taught the over-the-top Jimmer fans a lesson, and ideally this will be the last blemish on the Jazz fanbase for the rest of the season. With any luck, a successful playoff push and an exciting postseason run will help push aside some of the recent Utah Jazz fan mishaps of late.