SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 23: the Utah Jazz huddle prior to Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 23, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
Teamwork
From the earliest days of youth sports, there may be no other subject more touched on than the significance of teamwork.
Despite this universal mentality to preach teamwork, professional sports (especially the NBA) seem to be favoring a small number of stars over a collective and unified group of team-focused individuals.
With the likes of Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, the Jazz are not short of star-caliber talent. The big difference with this Jazz unit, however, is their ability to put aside their egos and acclimate to whatever role helps facilitate winning. That’s what team-first basketball is all about.
In a league with a culture so heavily opposed to this mentality, Utah has become the exception rather than the rule. And that might not necessarily be a bad thing.
Utah’s team-first approach is just as evident off the floor as well. This group of players clearly likes spending time with each other. This rare form of camaraderie and trust could be a difference maker for the Jazz in an absolutely STACKED Western Conference.
https://t.co/a7CvNqpgWQ <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/08/18/3-reasons-the-utah-jazz-perfectly-exemplify-whats-right-with-the-nba/2/"https://t.co/siqX0RXoxd">pic.twitter.com/siqX0RXoxd
<p>— CBS Sports NBA (@CBSSportsNBA) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/08/18/3-reasons-the-utah-jazz-perfectly-exemplify-whats-right-with-the-nba/2/"https://twitter.com/CBSSportsNBA/status/1029785538268737537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>August 15, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>While I can’t deny the intrigue and drama that the NBA provides to its audience, McCollum certainly has a point. And when it comes to the Utah Jazz, they’re not just talking the talk, but they are walking the walk.</p>
<p>In a league seemingly begging for stars to join forces in order to succeed, the Utah Jazz are looking to buck the trend and show fans across all sports what true teamwork, internal development and a strong front office can do.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/08/18/3-reasons-the-utah-jazz-perfectly-exemplify-whats-right-with-the-nba/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Teamwork </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 23: the Utah Jazz huddle prior to Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 23, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Teamwork</h3>
<p>From the earliest days of youth sports, there may be no other subject more touched on than the significance of teamwork.</p>
<p>Despite this universal mentality to preach teamwork, professional sports (especially the NBA) seem to be favoring a small number of stars over a collective and unified group of team-focused individuals.</p>
<p>With the likes of <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/08/18/3-reasons-the-utah-jazz-perfectly-exemplify-whats-right-with-the-nba/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/goberru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 ref="nofollow">Rudy Gobert</a> and <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/08/18/3-reasons-the-utah-jazz-perfectly-exemplify-whats-right-with-the-nba/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mitchdo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 ref="nofollow">Donovan Mitchell</a>, the Jazz are not short of star-caliber talent. The big difference with this Jazz unit, however, is their ability to put aside their egos and acclimate to whatever role helps facilitate winning. That’s what team-first basketball is all about.</p>
<p>In a league with a culture so heavily opposed to this mentality, Utah has become the exception rather than the rule. And that might not necessarily be a bad thing.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Enter the current Utah Jazz squad. These dudes ride or die for Utah, on and off the court. It's refreshing, and I think it's a significant factor in why Utahns have embraced them, aside from the exciting on-court product. They genuinely love being here.</p>
<p>— #1 Sadio Mané fan account (@CowhideGlobe) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/08/18/3-reasons-the-utah-jazz-perfectly-exemplify-whats-right-with-the-nba/2/"https://twitter.com/CowhideGlobe/status/1015762685198196741?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>July 8, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Utah’s team-first approach is just as evident off the floor as well. This group of players clearly likes spending time with each other. This rare form of camaraderie and trust could be a difference maker for the Jazz in an absolutely STACKED Western Conference.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/08/18/3-reasons-the-utah-jazz-perfectly-exemplify-whats-right-with-the-nba/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Internal Development </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-69131" src=https://thejnotes.com/2018/08/18/3-reasons-the-utah-jazz-perfectly-exemplify-whats-right-with-the-nba/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fthejnotes.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F952277512-1-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389" srcset="https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/952277512-1-850x560.jpeg 850w, https://thejnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/952277512-1-768x507.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 27: Head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz talks with Royce O’Neale #23 during Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 27, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Internal Development</h3>
<p>What do the following players have in common?</p>
<p><strong><a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/08/18/3-reasons-the-utah-jazz-perfectly-exemplify-whats-right-with-the-nba/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/inglejo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Joe Ingles, </a></strong><strong><a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/08/18/3-reasons-the-utah-jazz-perfectly-exemplify-whats-right-with-the-nba/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rubiori01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Ricky Rubio, </a></strong><strong>Donovan Mitchell, </strong><a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/08/18/3-reasons-the-utah-jazz-perfectly-exemplify-whats-right-with-the-nba/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/onealro01.html">Royce O’Neale</strong></a></p>
<p>Each of these players was either overlooked or passed on by other teams and eventually flourished with the Jazz. And the list could go on and on.</p>
<p>The Utah Jazz internal development system is unquestionably one of the league’s best right now.</p>
<p>Similar to my first point, the Jazz have been able to stay competitive all while avoiding jumping on the super team bandwagon.</p>
<p>In a small market like Salt Lake City, this approach might be more because of reality rather than choice, however, it is undeniable that Utah’s development team and coaching staff have been able to get the most out of their players.</p>
<p>This will make Utah a desirable location for under-the-radar players looking to add to their games or find a second chance (i.e. <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/08/18/3-reasons-the-utah-jazz-perfectly-exemplify-whats-right-with-the-nba/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sefolth01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Thabo Sefolosha</a>).</p>
<p>The only question now is who Utah’s next hidden gem will be. Who do you think it will be? Let me know in the comments below!</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #00265D" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/08/18/3-reasons-the-utah-jazz-perfectly-exemplify-whats-right-with-the-nba/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Front Office </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 23: Gail Miller Owner of the of Larry H. Miller Group of Companies speaks during a press conference announcing the Miller family transferring Ownership of the Utah Jazz into a Legacy Trust at vivint.SmartHome Arena on January 23, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Front office</h3>
<p>Lastly, Utah has built a front office that is respected throughout the league.</p>
<p>Whether it is through their open communication with players and agents or by continuing to make sound moves to improve the team without losing valuable assets, the Jazz front office clearly knows what they are doing.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Our devotion to the Utah Jazz is stronger than ever. The Legacy Trust will ensure that the Jazz will remain in Utah…" – Gail Miller</p>
<p>— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) <a href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/08/18/3-reasons-the-utah-jazz-perfectly-exemplify-whats-right-with-the-nba/2/"https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/823630926823313408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>January 23, 2017</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>It wouldn’t be right to leave out ownership, as the Jazz might have the best ownership in all of basketball. The Millers’ decision to transfer the ownership of the Jazz into a Legacy Trust was beyond unselfish and showed their commitment to the future of the team and the city.</p>
<p>And then we get to the man orchestrating all of this beauty – Dennis Lindsey.</p>
<p>#InDennisWeTrust, right?</p>
<p>What is your favorite move Dennis has made since joining the Jazz? It has to be trading for Donovan on draft night, right?</p>
<p>If you have another favorite front office move, let me know below!</p>
<p>One thing is certain, if Utah’s front office continues to build off the success they have had in recent years, the Jazz will be contending for years to come.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="light" data-text="Utah Jazz: Four players I’m most looking forward to watching this season" data-url="https://thejnotes.com/2018/08/16/utah-jazz-four-players-im-looking-forward-see-season/" data-call-to-action="Related Story"> <div class="story-link-related"> <a class="story-link-related-btn" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-related-shortcode" href=https://thejnotes.com/2018/08/18/3-reasons-the-utah-jazz-perfectly-exemplify-whats-right-with-the-nba/2/"https://thejnotes.com/2018/08/16/utah-jazz-four-players-im-looking-forward-see-season/"> <span class="call_to_action">Related Story:</span> Utah Jazz: Four players I’m most looking forward to watching this season </a> </div>
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