Through the ups and downs of the Jazz’s 38 years in Utah, they’ve built a winning culture. Despite not winning a championship as of yet, the Utah Jazz are now the NBA’s model franchise.
The Jazz’s 38 years in Salt Lake City have been nothing short of extraordinary; we’ve seen all-time greats like ‘Pistol’ Pete Maravich, Darrell Griffith and Adrian Dantley, which carried over to the glory days led by John Stockton and Karl Malone behind coach Jerry Sloan. And even through the dog days of rebuilding and eyeing the draft lottery, the Jazz continue to be a model for long-term success.
Historically speaking, since around 2000, the Jazz have never been in the spotlight; they are a ‘small market’ team known for their never give up attitude and always pose a threat due to their relentlessness and loud crowd made up of die-hard fans.
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They are rarely casted on national television and the common NBA fan would watch them play in less than a handful of games each year. They aren’t a big free agent destination and big name players like Deron Williams and Gordon Hayward have slipped through their fingers.
Nevertheless, the Jazz always find a path to success. They’ve built something deeper than almost every other team thanks to a lot of hard work. Without having a big budget or getting their big stars on TV commercials, the Jazz are now set to be dominant for a long time to come.
They’ve built an organisation that great people and young talent want to be a part of. Rudy Gobert is the perfect example of that. He sees the long term goal of the team and his value to the franchise and its fans. He wants to be part of something special that’s gelling in Utah.
Donovan Mitchell is also a player who fits that mold; he has spoken incredibly highly of the Jazz organisation as a whole and looks to be on board for the long-haul.
Recently, the Jazz have ticked every box of how to build an elite team and an elite culture; they have rebuilt without bottoming out, they have found gems late in the first round of drafts, and have a unique cornerstone to lead the rest of their young core.
They haven’t gone after big stars from other teams because growing their own speaks much louder. They will continue to grow from within and strive to get better and better year by year.
The Jazz currently play at the slowest pace in the NBA and run to the beat of their own drum. Even Utah’s general manager Dennis Lindsey said that he wants their opponents to come into town feeling like they’re going in for an appointment with the dentist.
Other teams don’t have to like it, but they sure have to respect it. They do it the hard way and that’s what they want to be known for. Their entire front office looks better than it ever has before with Dennis Lindsey and Quin Snyder at the helm.
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Just look at the classy manner in which they dealt with the whole Gordon Hayward situation. I for one, was disgusted by the way Hayward handled the entire process and slapped the organisation that put him on the map right in the face. But the statements made by the Jazz brass were worded to perfection and put them in the best position to continue their ascent in the grand scheme of things.
The Utah Jazz have established a winning culture and look ready for success in years to come with their terrific management, coaching staff and young group of players. It’s going to be fun to see what the future holds for this Jazz team.