Last Minute Gifts for a Jazz fan

I have a problem. I’m a:

Jazz Junkie, – a not so subtle hint for you to follow me on Twitter: @JazzJunkie12.
Jazz Addict – too connected to my phone and screens on gamedays which may drive my wife somewhat crazy.
Jazz Snob – if you don’t believe Gail Miller has earned a free pass to Heaven, we can’t be friends.
Jazz Horde – which brings us to the main point.

ICYMI: We are all giddy over Donovan Mitchell, and rightfully so given his comparison to Jazz rookies of recent years. That, and more Mitchell love, found here.

I have been the recipient of Jazz gear and trinkets for too many birthdays, Christmas’, and special occasions. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t have it any other way. For my birth

day this year, I received a Joe Ingles t-shirt from my wife, a CityScape in Jazz names t-shirt from in-laws, and a Karl Malone hat from my other in-laws. My wife even had a custom cake made with Joe Ingles face on it. Joe even gave me a thumbs up, which was better than the cake itself.

I think @Joeingles7 and @colton_devries4 will like my birthday cake the most. #takenote pic.twitter.com/YPKvPlFgoM

— Steve Godfrey (@JazzJunkie12) November 20, 2017

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???? https://t.co/Ptcz1u5yvA

— Joe Ingles (@Joeingles7) November 20, 2017

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I collect all these Jazz things and have them scattered throughout my house. Boxes of basketball cards are in my office, where my jerseys and signed t-shirts reside. A special John Stockton ball is at my work, next to some other Jazz posters. Downstairs at my house, a Jazz lair holds a custom Jazz sign, a Jazz flask from a game giveaway, and two Jazz flags both given to me by students.

With Christmas near on the horizon, here are a few items to thrill and surprise the Jazz fan in your life, or to “Treat Yo Self” after returning awkward pajamas and gym equipment.

Jazz Gnome

Before every NBA season, my family celebrates Jazz Eve. Since it’s a big deal that the NBA is starting up, my wife will surprise me with a night off to watch the kickoff, maybe a special pizza or meal, and, once, a gnome.

Gnome: like a little thing that is slightly creepy and looks like a troll and you put it in your garden and no one really knows why or who started that trend or what they were smoking when they created the first gnome and it’s certainly odd but they are kind of cute if you squuuuuuiiiiiiiiiiiint your eyes.

Why do you need it? There is no answer. But do you want it? Of course. It’s a freaking Gnome to put outside or on a desk. Why wouldn’t you want that? It’s a must-have. Mine is on a shelf above the TV, watching the Jazz with me as I do.

Buy yours here. Sometimes, if you are lucky, they even have Jazz Zombie Gnomes.

Jazz Toaster

Pop Quiz: what is more random, a Jazz gnome or a Jazz toaster that imprints the note logo?

It was Christmas 2014 when I unwrapped a package under the tree to discover a toaster that would tickle my fancy each time I made bread, butter, and honey. I was eating the Jazz logo. Unfortunately, the toaster stopped performing at a high level, so it became a novelty item on my desk at work instead of a culinary God.

I teach high school students and, eventually, some kids noticed it on my desk, asked what it was, and asked if it worked. I told them not really but admitted I hadn’t used in a long while so maybe it had resurrected itself. Let’s try, they said, come on, let’s toast some bread! Jokingly, I told them we could try it out if they brought bread and butter to class.

They did. So we did.

The high school I teach at was built as a bomb shelter – all brick, no windows. The classroom I’m in is tucked in the corner, small and claustrophobic. With time to kill after a class period, we plugged in the toaster, popped in some bread, and cranked the dial to give it a shot. Soon, smoke was simmering which filled the room quickly. The toast popped up, and behold, a logo was imprinted within the burnt crust. My students wanted to do more, for everyone else of course, but I was afraid of the smoke alarm. Coincidently, one of the administrators walked in within seconds and asked “why does it smell like toast in here” and I honestly replied, “because we made toast” which she smiled at and then proceeded to tell me what she originally came in for.

Here is the link to your next toaster. You’re welcome.

Get Jazzed CD

Take a blast to the past to remember the good ol’ Jazz days of Stockton to Malone and Hot Rod Hundley. Those were the days that a postseason dance wasn’t a question, but an absolute truth. Those were the days where Houston was road kill and the Chicago Bulls the Homecoming Queen. Those were the days that produced the soundtrack to a childhood: Get Jazzed.

There was Basketball John, about John Stockton of course, and I’m a Rocket’s Fan to the tune of Rocket Man by Elton John, and I’m a Believer about the Jazz going all the way. Walk Like a Nigerian or We Beat L.A. are other classics.

Thank goodness YouTube exists for you to enjoy the tunes today. Thank goodness Amazon exists so you can buy yours today.

Pete Maravich Book

We used to have a huge family Christmas party with my grandparents and cousins and all those good people at my Uncle Ted’s house. We had good food, shared some talents, and occasionally did a gift exchange. When I was 11 or 12, my Grandma and Grandpa, who also loves the Jazz, gave all the grandkids a book. They knew I loved the Jazz, but they also knew I needed to be educated on the forebearers of Jazz basketball. To accomplish that purpose, they gave me a book on Pistol Pete.

I started it on the drive home from the party and finished it before school started back up in the New Year. I had heard Pete’s name echoed around before, but I didn’t know he was the NCAA leading scorer, from only three years since his Freshman year wouldn’t count and without a three-point line since they didn’t have one. I knew he was a magician with the ball, because every told me so, but I didn’t know he believed in UFO’s and life on other planets. I knew he played for the Jazz, but didn’t realize it was the New Orleans Jazz, or that it was five years for the Jazz, or that he led the league in scoring at 31.1 a game while donning the Jazz note.

The book I read is entitled I Remember Pete Maravich written by Mike Towle, who met Maravich on a plane in 1987. I thought the book was well-written because it took highlights and quotes from coaches, teammates, friends, analysts across the years and compiled them in a chronology of the Pistol’s career. While I didn’t live in his era, I could feel like I was at the games watching his 50 and 60 point explosions, the behind the dribble ecstasy, and the underhand scoop passes down court because of the memories and imagery provided by those who were there, as compiled and retold by Towle.

You can also get a used copy of the book for $0.10. So yeah, buy it.