SALT LAKE CITY – Round one of the NBA playoffs could wrap up for the Utah Jazz tonight in game five of their series with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Meanwhile, back in Utah, fans seem to be more optimistic about this team than in years past.
Sure, we’ve been swept up in “Jazz Fever” in the past, but, it’s not every year that someone places a makeshift shrine to the team in downtown Salt Lake City.
The consensus about the Jazz by fans and team employees we’ve spoken with is that this year’s team is different and special. So, it’s no surprise that this year’s different and special jersey is flying off the shelves.
“The city edition jersey is the number one selling jersey we’ve ever had here in the arena,” according to Utah Jazz Team Store Director of Retail Operations Morgan Evans.
The team’s international roster has people from all over the world coming into the Vivint Smart Home Arena to buy team gear. For instance, people from Spain buy jerseys from Ricky Rubio, while people visiting from Australia purchase a lot of Joe Ingles merch.
“Donovan Mitchell is definitely our number one seller. With that being said, we haven’t seen demand on the other players go down,” Evans says.
Meahwhile, sports bars all over the valley are expected to be packed for each game of the playoffs.
Gracie’s Bar Owner Deno Dakis says, “It’s been tremendous this year. Unexpected, because we don’t see that much when it’s the regular season, but, this post season has been terrific.”
Dakis says the fans that come into his bar feel this year’s team is playing at an elite level, even though there isn’t one singular superstar to point to.
“It’s team ball. You don’t have to count on your superstar to make or break your team on any given night,” says Dakis.
Karl Malone is scheduled to appear at Gracie’s Thursday night to answer trivia and play games with fans.
