<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Greg Ostertag probably heard as many boos as he did cheers in 10 seasons playing for the Utah Jazz. On Wednesday, any boos were overwhelmed by the cheering. Ostertag ended his 11-year NBA career Wednesday with a few tears and waves goodbye as Jazz fans warmly greeted the player they had booed so often for his inconsistent play. "That was fun. It was good to hear them cheer and it was a good way to go out," Ostertag said. Ostertag cheered much more than contributing in Utah's 105-102 win over the Golden State Warriors. The 33-year-old center sat through much of this spring on the bench and had decided to retire this summer. Ostertag didn't start for the Jazz in his 700th career game with Utah, but he was introduced to a loud ovation after the starting lineup was announced. Coach Jerry Sloan put Ostertag in during the first quarter to another ovation, but Ostertag played just 3:36. "I wanted to play him some. He deserves it," Sloan said. "Contrary to what a lot of people have said about Greg, he does care and he wants to do the right thing." Ostertag played 10 of his 11 seasons in Utah. The only year away was last season when he played in 55 games for the Sacramento Kings. Unless he changes his mind, Ostertag's career totals were 3,512 points, 3,445 rebounds and 1,227 blocks. The 7-foot-2 Ostertag was best known for his buzz haircut, Texas drawl and sporadic game. He could score 20 points some nights and get shut out others. He and Sloan had several public spats, although the two have always maintained they were friends.</div> <div align="center">Source</div>
No matter how inconsistant Ostertag was you have got to love him. I used to be a huge Utah Jazz fan back in 1995 and Karl Malone is my favorite all time player. Now Ostertag wasn't the best player on that 1996 and 1998 Western Conference Championship team but he contributed. Without him you never know if they would have been the same. So I give a big farewell to Greg Ostertag and just to let him know he had a great season and I'm glad he was able to retire as a Jazz.
