Barden's Thanksgiving Thanks

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and Barden has comprised a list of the many things he is thankful for this year. Listed below in no particular order is merely a gratitude sample.

1. Deron Williams signs a minimum three-year contract extension with the Utah Jazz. No further explanation is required.
2. Pizza Hut bringing back the P'zone.
3. The NCAA men's basketball three-point line is moved back a complete foot and now resides at 20 feet 9 inches. This was long overdue. Next on Barden's NCAA men's basketball wishlist? A shorter shot clock and eliminating the annoying 1 and 1. (If a man is fouled, give him two shots please, none of this good luck with the first if you want the second business.)
4. Sonic fast-food commercials.
5. Jason Lezak's final leg of the Men's 4x100 IM relay during the 2008 Summer Olympics in China.
6. Real Salt Lake finally moving to their new Major League Soccer home: Rio Tinto Stadium. I had higher hopes for the name, but am grateful the impressive stadium is complete.
7. Gravity
8. The Super Big Gulp
9. The performance of Alec Guiness in the 1960 film Bridge on the River Kwai.
10. Anthony Kim defeats Sergio Garcia in 2008 Ryder Cup match play.
11. Shampoo plus Conditioner in one
12. The Ronco Electric Food Dehydrator infomercials
13. ESPN's Sportscenter
14. Thanksgiving Point Golf Course-Monday afternoon 9-hole with cart discount of only $12.80.
15. The "best by" date printed on food packaging.
16. The green arrow turn signal at busy intersections.
17. Mr. Clean's Magic Erasers
18. Yahtzee. Not just the game, but also the use as an expression. For example: "Did you hear that gas prices have dropped to $1.70?" "Yahtzee!"
19. The projected Yellow First Down line in television football viewing. This is huge. I am still unsure how anyone was able to watch football and be forced to wait for the on-field referee to signal whether the player made it passed the first down marker.
20. Crest's Pro-Health Mouthwash
21. Peach flavored Jolly Ranchers
22. The butter on Movie Theater Popcorn
23. Bounce dryer sheets
24. The convenience of online bill pay
25. And finally, Deron Williams signs a minimum three-year contract extension with the Utah Jazz...Yahtzee!

What would Jerry Do?

Jerry Sloan is the longest tenured Coach in all of professional sports. He is also 3 wins away from 1,000 victories with the Utah Jazz.


There have been many instances in my life where I needed the wisdom of another. With all that Coach Jerry Sloan has accomplished, he is the one to look to in times of trouble. When uncertainty arrives, simply ask yourself: What would Jerry do?

WWJD? I have listed a few examples when the wisdom of Sloan has made a normally awkward situation. . . not awkward.

1) In my Junior High School days I was what you might call an undersized guard. In seventh grade I came in at about 65 pounds and not quite 4 and a half feet tall. This presented several match up problems with the larger veteran 9th grade bullies. I would frequently be shoved around and teased. It was in these crucial times I would think 'What would Jerry do?'

WWJD?=Run the pick and Roll. By using the individuals in front of me to set the screen, I was able to roll past the big men in the paint, avoid being fouled, and arrive at my next class period.

2) When it came time for me to date, I was a bit shy and hesitant. I would think about asking a girl out for a date, but ultimately was unsure how to proceed. It was then that I thought 'What would Jerry do?'

WWJD?=Game plan. Have a few friends get a scouting report for you and enter the game with some understanding of the opponent. By looking passed some of the important details you may find yourself embarrassed in defeat.

3) While serving a mission in Southern Florida I was repeatedly presented with meals that weren't to my liking. Not one who fancies sea food, I would think of Sloan in those pressure situations.

WWJD?=Make a substitution. When no one was looking, I would substitute the food on my plate with the food on a teammate's plate. I would eat the veggies, and they would eat the shrimp.

4) While my wife was in labor with our first child I began to feel a little nauseous and hot. I began to worry I may pass out. I then thought 'What would Coach Jerry Sloan do?"

WWJD?=Take a 20 second time-out. I took my sweatshirt off, got hydrated with some apple juice and re-entered the game refreshed and ready to go.

5) I now have 2 children and they are wonderful. However, they scramble to maintain possession of a similarly wanted toy. Whenever I am uncertain how to handle the situation, I think of Jerry.

WWJD?=Jump Ball!

When you find yourself in times of trouble, take a minute and decide, "What would Jerry Sloan do?" He undoubtedly has the answer.