Chemistry
This second ‘C’ is one that Utah Jazz fans have been a bit disconcerted about – Chemistry. The Utah Jazz chemistry has been one of the team’s greatest strengths over the past few years. And with so many new additions this summer, it’s easy to see why there could be concern about whether that trait can be upheld.
Fortunately, Jazz execs Dennis Lindsey and Justin Zanik are experts at their craft. And if one thing can be said about what they’ve managed to pull off this summer, it’s that they’ve put together a group of newcomers that absolutely fits the mold and DNA of the team.
Mike Conley is a proven leader and one of the most respected teammates on and off the court. Bojan Bogdanovic is more reserved than most, but he’s heralded as a relentless worker (the kind of which Jazz fans should adore) and an excellent teammate.
Ed Davis is an absolute grinder unafraid to do the dirty work and yet another exceptional locker room presence. Meanwhile, Jeff Green has experience playing with Conley and is a formidable vet that will bring both experience and intelligence to the team. Last of all among the key new additions, while Emmanuel Mudiay’s NBA path has been somewhat spotty up to this point, he’s committed himself to working hard and earning redemption on a team he joined largely because of its reputation for development.
By combining all those incredible traits and unselfish players onto one squad, the Jazz are absolutely setting themselves up for success. This isn’t a team of high egos or one-man shows. This is a group that wants to work together and sacrifice for the better of the team.
Media Day was rife with examples of this. Conley talked about coming in and being himself and threw credit to several other guys as exceptional leaders. Bogdanovic talked of needing simply to find his role, even though he already knew that would mean less shots than he took a season ago with the Indiana Pacers.
Mike Conley: I’m not here to try and take over the room. Donovan, Joe, Rudy, all of those guys are great leaders
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) September 30, 2019
Bojan: "I know I won't have the same number of shots I had with the Pacers last year, especially when Victor went down, but it's my job to fit in. … I will still try to be the best player and the best teammate."
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) September 30, 2019
Meanwhile, Green and Davis, who have been around the block a bit, pointed out that this team already has great relationships with one another and the former stated matter-of-factly that “the chemistry is easy.”
Neither Ed Davis nor Jeff Green thinks acclimating so many new players will be a challenge. Jeff: "We’ve been around each other. The chemistry is easy. When you’ve got guys who are willing to put aside egos, it becomes easy."
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) September 30, 2019
Joe Ingles has already developed a good enough relationship with Conley that he managed a few jabs such as stating that he doesn’t like Mike at all and cracking jokes at how long Conley has been in the league. The fact that the jokester Ingles is already in mid-season humor form with his brand new teammates speaks volumes to the chemistry and familiarity they are already establishing with one another.
Jingles with a couple quick digs: “I don’t like Mike ... at all.” Also, “This is only my sixth year in the league. Mike’s been around a hell of a lot longer.” pic.twitter.com/YMQptcBOED
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) September 30, 2019
Donovan Mitchell also spoke about the luxury of the new additions and how great they’ll all be from an offensive weapon standpoint and from a mere solid teammate standpoint. In short, media day made one thing crystal clear – although there will be somewhat of an adjustment period as the new styles of incoming players are adapted to, chemistry isn’t going to be an issue with this already close-knit and unselfish group.
Good chemistry has the power to make a whole team much greater than the sum of its parts, and we should see that in full force with this cohesive Jazz squad.