Even in the offseason, Utah Jazz chemistry is unmatched

Chemistry played a crucial role in the success of the Utah Jazz last season, but their togetherness didn’t dissipate when their playoff run ended.

The 2017-18 season was one of the most memorable in recent history for Utah Jazz fans. A Jazz squad led by breakout rookie Donovan Mitchell outperformed expectations in every imaginable way en route to the fifth seed in the West and a second-round playoff appearance.

But it wasn’t just the team’s overall success that made for a great season, nor was it the way they reached it. Sure, overcoming a dismal 19-28 record to become one of the top teams in the league was incredible, but what was even more special about last year’s squad was the unmatched chemistry and cohesion with which they played.

In short, it was an eextremel likable bunch both on and off the court. And the fact that these guys got along so well certainly reflected in their play.

From the constant praise of one another in post-game interviews to the visible elation when a teammate would succeed to, of course, the hilarious water bottle celebrations sparked by Donovan Mitchell after games, this team’s togetherness was virtually always on full display.

For that very reason, Dennis Lindsey and the rest of Jazz brass has opted to keep the band together heading into next season (with the exception of Jonas Jerebko who was waived late last week). This group proved how deadly they can be when healthy and once they all began to click, and therefore clearly deserve a chance to run it back. Their incredible chemistry is what helped them be successful last season and surely will play a major role in 2018-19.

And the nice thing about that chemistry is that it isn’t exclusive to the regular and postseason. No, even this summer, the Jazz chemistry has been on full display.

As I mentioned, these guys clearly get along and like one another as was evidenced by their showing at Sunday’s Summer League game between the Utah Jazz and New York Knicks. Several members of the Jazz squad were there to represent and support their guys.

As you can see in the tweets below, the group included Donovan Mitchell, Royce O’Neale, Dante Exum, Alec Burks, Raul Neto, Rudy Gobert and Jae Crowder. Ricky Rubio has been around at Summer League games as well.

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that their presence made the Jazz the best-represented team at Summer League in the NBA.

It’s great to see this team coexisting so well off the court and that’s surely going to continue to help them on the court as well. Not only that, but to see them backing up the young guys is an awesome gesture, too.

Most of the guys on the Jazz Summer League team ultimately aren’t going to make it on Utah’s final roster. But I imagine having the support of the guys who have made it is awe-inspiring. Also, for guys like Tony Bradley, the newly drafted Grayson Allen or even G-League extraordinaire Georges Niang, who is hoping to make the Jazz roster, it’s got to be cool to see these guys pulling for them and in essence extending them an invitation to their well-connected Jazz squad.

Next: Georges Niang deserves an NBA roster spot

Chemistry was the key to Utah’s success last season and figures to continue to be moving forward. As I see all these guys enjoying their time together and spending their offseason pulling for the young guns, I can’t help but think one thing —

Is it October yet?