Utah Flash Updates – The Bryon Russell Game

It’s Big Monday in Utah: The Jazz limp back into town to take on the Spurs at ESA and get the bad taste out of their mouths after Saturday’s loss to the Timberwolves in Minnesota. At the same time, the Utah Flash will make their home debut in Orem against the Dakota Wizards. As you may have heard, Bryon Russell will be in attendance at the Flash game to challenge a possibly-in-attendance Michael Jordan to a one-on-one game for the ages.

Also, you can bet the DVR will be rolling at home to catch Iverson’s return to the Sixers. It’s going to be a great night for basketball all the way around.

Some other news:

• Garret Siler left the Flash to play for the Shanghai Sharks, owned by Yao Ming. The Chinese team bought out his contract and he’ll play the 2009-10 season, going against the likes of the Guangdong Southern Tigers. I know one other Siler who is going to be very disappointed.
• Luke Nevill is still not with the team as he works to resolve visa issues. The Australian center was in the country on a student visa while he played his college ball at the University of Utah, but somehow his visa status was never updated. He now has to leave the country while he applies for a working visa. The obvious choice is Canada, but apparently the Australian consulate in Canada is swamped and even though things are being expedited by the NBA, it could take as long as two weeks to get Neville back in the states. I’ve read elsewhere that Nevill was waived, but that’s not the case. He’s still on the team, just excused while he resolves his status.
• While local players Nevill and Lee Cummard (BYU) get most of the attention, former Utah Valley University star (and Vernal’s finest) Jordan Brady is playing well to open the season, averaging more than 10 points and 6 rebounds. He’ll feel right at home on Monday when the Flash take to the floor in the same building where he played his college career.
• On a sad note, former Flash center James Lang suffered a severe stroke the day after Thanksgiving, leaving him partially paralyzed and facing a long road to recovery. All the best to James and his family. Drop him a line here.

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If you’re interested in hearing me talk about the Jazz with Dave and Audley of the The NBA Breakdown, hot on the heals of their interview with Mark Eaton, you can find it here. Thanks to D&A for having me on the show.