The Utah Jazz Named Their Arena Wi-Fi Network "JordanPushedOff" Making It Clear They Still Hold A Grudge Over The 1998 Finals

Scott Cunningham. Getty Images.

Throughout his career, I think it's fair to say that Michael Jordan blessed us with several iconic moments on the basketball court. That tends to happen when you're largely considered the greatest to ever do it, and of all the awesome moments in Jordan's career, you could make the case that his game-winner in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals is near the top of the list. In fact, it's easily one of the most iconic moments in league history

Ever since that moment, one of the longest-standing NBA debates was born. Did Jordan push off in order to create enough space to hit that game-winner over Byron Russell? I'd say it depends on who you root for. Bulls fans will obviously say no, that was just the GOAT doing GOAT things. That Russell's momentum was already taking him that way and Jordan basically didn't do a damn thing other than rip out the hearts of every Jazz fan on the planet. 

Jazz fans of course will tell you this was a blatant push off and I bet they'll believe it until their final breath. I know I would. They've never been back to the Finals since, so for all we know that was their best chance at ever winning a ring. When a controversial play like that happens, there are of course repercussions. Mostly, everyone who is either associated with the Jazz or a Jazz fan will forever hold a grudge for being cheated out of a potential title. We know this because all these years later, the Utah Jazz are still holding that grudge

Is this corny or maybe even a little cringy? Maybe to some, but not to me. I love a good old fashioned grudge and why should the Jazz feel any other way? I personally love that the new Jazz owner clearly still holds a grudge against that play. I mean everyone knows the best way to overcome pain is to just joke your way through it, and I can respect this level of pettiness. Sure it doesn't change anything, but as someone who also is haunted by previous NBA Finals losses and probably will be until my own last breath, I can relate to Ryan Smith here. 

You'll never be able to convince me the NBA didn't put the call in back in 2010 when the Celts/Lakers played a Game 7 in LA and Kobe went 6-24 from the floor and the Lakers were able to survive because of a 37-17 FTA difference. Kobe had 15 FTA himself, and the Lakers as a team had a 21-6 FTA difference in the 4th quarter alone!

As a reminder, they won that game 83-79. Nothing suspicious about that at all! That was the most David Stern shit I had ever seen David Stern pull during his entire tenure of commissioner. Celts won in 08 which meant he needed the Lakers to win in 2010, hoping it would turn into NBA Finals back and forth between the two franchises which obviously makes the league a shit ton of money. It's as clear as day if we're being honest. 

If the Garden wanted to change their Wi-Fi Network to Game7OfThe2010FinalsWasRigged they would have my full support. I know we can't go back in time and change history, but I think it would help my brain forget the pain that game has caused me ever since.

So while some may clown Ryan Smith and the Jazz for pulling a move like this, I respect it.