January 2007 Rockets vs. Jazz Game

Coach Weber 1/5/07 letter to the Houston Illini to Luther Head and the Houston and Austin Illini Clubs:

"What an exciting night, to have the Houston Rockets playing the Utah Jazz and to have Deron, Dee and Luther reunite. Those three formed a special bond at the University of Illinois and remain the closest of friends today. 

I only wish that Roger could have remained on the Jazz roster and was there tonight as well. He has worked very hard and I know his teammates are disappointed as well, but unfortunately that's the business side of the NBA.

As I think about the almost 30 years I've spent in college coaching, nothing can compare to the thrill and enjoyment I had coaching that 2004-05 team. I know I didn't recruit them, but as I told each of them when they left Illinois, I hope they consider me their coach. They obviously provided us countless great moments on the court, but as coach, what I enjoyed so much was being in practice with them every day, and watching their drive to improve and succeed. I've often said this, but no players I've ever had can match the competitiveness and determination of Deron, Dee and Luther.

They competed at whatever they did, whether it was basketball, ping pong, video games, anything. And that competitive drive spread to our entire team and allowed us to elevate our game to where we became one of the best teams in recent NCAA history. It was without question the best backcourt I've ever been fortunate enough to be around, and it has to rank among the best guard trios of all-time. Just think for a second about their amazing achievement, it might be unprecedented for THREE guards from the SAME team in the SAME season to be named All-Americans, but that's what Deron, Dee and Luther became. They all enjoyed such outstanding careers because of their unselfishness, work ethic, and dedication to the game.

Unfortunately I am not able to watch as many Jazz and Rockets games as I would like to see due to our busy season, but I watch ESPN News for the scores every night and look at the box scores every morning. I also try and call and text the guys to check in with them and see how everything's going.

They are all off to outstanding starts to their NBA careers, and have bright futures ahead. From talking to them, I know it means the world to them to have Illini fans such as yourselves show up at arenas across the country to cheer them on and offer your support.

I don't know if you've heard about the following story, but I think it sums up the passion of Illini fans. Mehmet Okur of the Jazz has a website so his family and friends in his home country of Turkey can keep up with him.

One day his entire journal entry was about Illini nation. He was going out to shoot before the game at Indianapolis against the Pacers. He walked onto the court and saw hundreds of fans in Orange cheering, and was confused because the thought "Indiana doesn't wear Orange, and I know we don't wear Orange."

Then he saw the fans cheer when Deron and Dee and Roger came into the arena and began signing autographs and taking pictures with the crowd. Mehmet was amazed at what he saw and said, "There must be something in the air or the water at that place. They sure love their players. I guess I have no choice but to go see a game in Illinois after I retire. Must be fun and a bit crazy."

What a tribute to our great fan base! Enjoy being reunited with Deron, Dee and Luther tonight and continue to support them throughout their NBA careers. It's that kind of support that makes Illini fans the best in the country.

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Revised: April 06, 2008