The J-Notes
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Three things the Utah Jazz can learn from the Toronto Raptors’ NBA Finals appearance

By Jared Woodcox

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 1: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors shoots the ball as Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz defends during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on January 1, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 1: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors shoots the ball as Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz defends during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on January 1, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, CANADA – MAY 25: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors exits the arena after a game against the Milwaukee Bucks after Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 25, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA – MAY 25: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors exits the arena after a game against the Milwaukee Bucks after Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 25, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Talent first, chemistry second

Before you get all bent out of shape by this heading, allow me to explain. Chemistry is important and absolutely cannot be overlooked. The Jazz have thrived largely because their chemistry and cohesion have allowed their whole to be better than the sum of their parts. On the flip side, the Boston Celtics were brimming with talent this season but could never figure it out due to an abysmal chemistry stemming from issues surrounding Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward.

So good chemistry can make a team better than it should be while poor chemistry can make a team much worse than it otherwise would. In that regard, there is a lot to say about the benefits of teammates getting along.

However, chemistry also has a ceiling as the Utah Jazz showed clearly this year. After a spectacular conclusion to the 2017-18 season and due to limited options in free agency during the summer of 2018, the Jazz organization chose to lean towards chemistry and run things back with a nearly identical squad. Unfortunately, things didn’t quite turn out as hoped from there. They got off to an extremely poor start, and while it can be debated whether they did better or worse than a year ago, there’s no denying that their ending was more disappointing.

Meanwhile, some felt that the Raptors trading away DeMar DeRozan, who was extremely close with Kyle Lowry and other teammates, while bringing in Leonard, who had been somewhat of a distraction in San Antonio due to a bizarre injury situation, would hinder chemistry dramatically. Instead, talent won out, unselfishness trumped any hard feelings, and a desire to win led to greater heights.

Not only that but now Lowry and Leonard have become close as teammates, and chemistry has arisen out of what may have originally been considered a difficult situation. So, sure, there’s always a risk of talent not panning out if too many varying personalities get in the way. But more often than not, when you find talent and can add it to your roster, a desire to win prevails and the chemistry takes care of itself.

I understand that the Jazz didn’t have much of an alternative last summer beyond what they did, but they’d still be wise to prioritize talent over other concerns as they weigh opportunities moving forward.

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