The J-Notes
Fansided

Three reasons the Utah Jazz perfectly exemplify what’s right with the NBA

By Tyler Thorpe

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 22: Jae Crowder #99 Donovan Mitchell #45 and Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz look on during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 22, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 22: Jae Crowder #99 Donovan Mitchell #45 and Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz look on during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 22, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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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)
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.

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