Which Utahn Is Deserving Of Last Dance Style Documentary?
May 18, 2020, 3:38 PM | Updated: 3:47 pm
OCT 24 1982; Steve Young, the descendant of Brigham Young who quarterbacks BYU, scrambles upfield during Saturday's win over CSU.; (Photo By Damian Strohmeyer/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
(Photo By Damian Strohmeyer/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – ESPN’s 10-part documentary series “The Last Dance” wrapped up Sunday night. The documentary detailed the career of Michael Jordan and his final season with the Chicago Bulls. Though the Bulls series might have been difficult for Utah Jazz fans, the KSL Sports staff submitted their ideas for which Utahn is deserving of a Last Dance style documentary.
To date, more than a handful of documentaries have been made about the Jazz. However, fans beyond the world of basketball may want to see these suggestions from our staff.
The Late ’90s Runnin’ Utes
Sam Farnsworth, KSL Sports Anchor suggested a documentary following University of Utah head coach Rick Majerus.
“If there were a camera that followed the late 90’s Runnin’ Utes teams with nearly all-access footage with Rick Majerus, I would want to see every bit of it! Uncensored!”
How about Andre Miller's triple double (18 points, 13 rebounds, 14 assists) against Arizona in the Elite 8. @UtahMBB crushed the Wildcats 76-51 to advance to the Final Four. #Utes https://t.co/mswkFuB8kZ https://t.co/se1oPT5pvC pic.twitter.com/aPuiUmsFzp
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) March 16, 2020
The late Majerus was notoriously tough on his players. However, the coach is widely regarded as one of the best in college basketball history. Majerus helped lead the Utes to the National Championship game in 1998.
“The stories we would finally hear and see for ourselves. This would be must-watch television.”
The Jazz Move To Utah
Zak Hicken, TV Producer for KSL Sports asked for a series covering the years of the Utah Jazz.
“I’d love to have a documentary covering the Jazz move to Utah.”
April 24, 1984: The @utahjazz were facing elimination in Game 4 against the Denver Nuggets. Rookie @bigTbailey made a clutch shot late that gave the Jazz the lead for good. They went on to win Game 5 and the series in SLC #KSLSportsArchive #TakeNote #NBA https://t.co/mswkFuB8kZ https://t.co/CQT8nsEoH4 pic.twitter.com/CAK3kPigIH
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) March 28, 2020
The Jazz moved from New Orleans in 1979 but struggled to find support from the fanbase as a basement-dwelling team. The team wound up playing some home games in Las Vegas during the 1983-84 season to draw bigger crowds.
“It’s such a vital 5-6 year stretch that really could’ve gone wrong in so many ways. But, things worked out and the Jazz built one of the best franchises in the NBA.”
A High School Football Barn Burner
Perhaps the most obscure suggestions came from KSL’s Unrivaled host Alex Kirry.
“A few years ago, Jordan [High School] beat Taylorsville 91-83 in a football game.”
The game featured a staggering 25 touchdowns. Jordan’s 91 points were the most from any in-state team in more than 50 years. However, the school didn’t get close to reaching the state record.
“The record blowout in Utah High School State Football history is a 175-6 Carbon High win over South Emery in 1926. I want all the details. Surely there’s no video so let’s animate the story.
Though it isn’t specific to any one Utahn, the blowout game is deserving of a Last Dance style documentary.
Bruce Hardy’s Three Sport Brilliance
KSL’s Unrivaled co-host and Utah football legend Scott Mitchell suggested Bingham High graduate Bruce Hardy.
“Hardy went to Bingham High in the late 70s. He was featured in Sports Illustrated as a phenom three-sport athlete.”
40 years since #SunDevil alum Bruce Hardy was on the cover of Sports Illustrated. pic.twitter.com/MRDR8XNEys
— Arizona State Sun Devils (@TheSunDevils) May 6, 2014
Beyond appearing in the magazine, Hardy earned his photo on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
“He went to Arizona State and then played for years in the NFL as a TE with the Miami Dolphins”.
Hardy would retire with career totals fo 256 receptions, 2,455 receiving yards, and 25 touchdowns.
BYU’s Reid Legacy
Mitch Harper, KSL Sports BYU Insider suggested a series covering BYU’s Reid family legacy.
“How many BYU coaches and athletes can say they were featured in a Sports Illustrated article that was published in SI’s Swimsuit Issue? That was the Reid’s.
Head Coach Roger was one of the most innovative minds BYU basketball has ever had on their bench and his sons Randy and Robbie were two of the top recruits in the country in their respective classes.”
#BYU recognized former head coaches Frank Arnold, Roger Reid, and Dave Rose who are in attendance for today’s game. #BYUhoops #KSLsports pic.twitter.com/eMutFmZDv8
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 9, 2019
Roger Reid would spend seven seasons as BYU’s head coach before taking an assistant coaching job with the Phoenix Suns in the NBA.
“Despite all the successes of this great BYU basketball family, the Reid’s tenure with the Cougars Cagers came during a time where Brigham Young University experienced an overhaul at the top of the institution. Making it more challenging than ever for Roger to lift his program, led by his sons, over the relentless fan and media scrutiny to heights they had hoped to attain.”
Roger also spent four seasons playing minor league baseball for the Chicago White Sox and the Atlanta Braves.
Steve Young’s Super Bowl Winning Career
KSL Sports producer Kyle Ireland asked for a documentary following BYU quarterback Steve Young’s NFL Career with the San Francisco 49ers.
“It would be fun to see additional details on Young’s journey from the Northeast to BYU and eventually from the USFL to the NFL.”
📅 Jan. 29, 1995: On this date 25 years ago…
Chargers vs. 49ers (-18 | O/U: 54)
1⃣2⃣3⃣4⃣5⃣6⃣
• Steve Young tosses 6 TD passes (Super Bowl record)
• T-largest Super Bowl spread ever (SB III)
• 49ers win, 49-26 (Most total pts scored in SB — 75)pic.twitter.com/qTiCEgrlEu— The Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) January 29, 2020
Ireland even drew the comparison to another BYU quarterback that may be deserving of a documentary.
“Similar to Taysom Hill, Young was a superb athlete that many people wondered if he could play QB at the highest level.
A deep look into Young’s Super Bowl seasons and retirement from the NFL would be fascinating.”
The Whittingham Family
KSL Sports University of Utah insider Trevor Allen suggested a series on former BYU football player and Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham.
(Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
“I want to see a Last Dance styler series on Kyle Whittingham from his entire coaching career.”
Whittingham played at BYU from 1978-81 earning All-WAC honors. Whittingham’s father Fred played in the NFL from 1963-71 before finding a successful coaching career of his own.
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The elder Whittingham would serve as Utah’s defensive coordinator from 1992-94 where he hired Kyle to bet he team’s linebacker coach.
“Behind the scenes of when he was given the head coaching job at Utah and interactions with his dad would be very fascinating.”
Which Utahn would you like to see star in a “The Last Dance” style documentary?
