Game Thread: Utah Jazz (0-0) host the Oklahoma City Thunder (0-0) in the season and home opener tonight

NBA Regular Season 2013-2014, Game 1:

Oklahoma City Thunder (0-0) @ Utah Jazz (0-0)

Game Stream (All) / Welcome to Loud City (SB Nation Blog) / Thunder vs Jazz coverage

This. Is. Sparta. Utah!

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The Basics:

This is it, it's what Jazz fans have been clamoring for -- a post- Al Jefferson team. I'm not going to kill Big Al, and just let history do the talking for me. The people who run the franchise didn't want him anymore, so they let him leave; valuing more the cap space than anything he did on the court. This blog in particular got heat for how some of us treated Big Al (a multi-million dollar professional athlete in a highly visible sport), but the Jazz don't even want him now, which in a way vindicates some opinions. But not all.

But here we go, the first regular season game in a Post-Big Al world. The youth movement is on, that said I fully well expect a lot of starts this season for Richard Jefferson (33 years old), Jamaal Tinsley (35 years old), and John Lucas III (31 in November). It's progress for a better future, which starts with building a strong foundation today.

The Thunder are looking for a deep playoff run, perhaps derailed by injuries last season, and start the season without their starting point guard healthy. The Jazz are looking inward this year to find out who they are.

It all starts tonight at 7 pm MT on ROOT Sports, or NBA League pass on TV. You may find it on the radio and other placers as well.

In a season dictated by non-win related goals this should be a fun year for fans. I hope Tyrone Corbin has a great year starting tonight.

Jazz fans still want to see wins, myself included. But the long term goals of this team are more important than short term success, this is something fans and the front office can clearly agree upon. Which is why this is a post-Al Jefferson Jazz team.

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Probable Starters (?):

• Point Guard: John Lucas III vs. Reggie Jackson
  
• Shooting Guard: Gordon Hayward vs. Thabo Sefolosha
  
• Small Forward: Richard Jefferson vs. Kevin Durant
  
• Power Forward: Derrick Favors vs. Serge Ibaka
  
• Center: Enes Kanter vs. Kendrick Perkins

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One last thing:

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GO JAZZ GO!