Chemistry Among Both New and Old
Not to beat a dead horse (which I probably already accomplished back on slide 1), but one shouldn’t expect a team to be completely gelled by preseason. Nevertheless, watching veteran newcomers in George Hill, Joe Johnson and Boris Diaw taking the court for the first time alongside Jazz regulars such as Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert will be a blast.
Not one guy on this Jazz roster stands out as anything other than a “team-first” player and to witness their first contest against a true NBA opponent should be fascinating. How will the Blazers defend such a talented team? What will the first unit look like with an actual seasoned point guard calling the shots? How will the veterans and young guns mesh on the court?
While it might be somewhat unrefined, we should be able to get a good idea about how this team is going to fit together by the end of the night. Watching their reactions in how they encourage one another, play with one another and handle mistakes as a unit will be an intriguing first look at how the team will mesh over the long haul.
I imagine the first time George Hill makes a dish to Rodney Hood or Gordon Hayward for a wide open three or the first time Derrick Favors or Trey Lyles converts a big dunk in a pick and roll with Joe Johnson will be thrilling moments as the Jazz newcomers start to show that they can jive with the young Jazz “old-timers.”
Getting a glimpse of how this team will come together and compete with the best in the West is high on the list of reasons to watch.