The Utah Jazz have lost two in a row, both of which they fought to the end when the buzzer sounded. The Jazz losing to the Lakers and Magic was never going to shock the masses, but what should shock Jazz fans is that they competed right down to the very last second without Lauri Markkanen, a welcome change of pace compared to last season.
Regardless of how legitimate Markkanen's "injury" is, the Jazz have typically looked pretty helpless when playing without him. It's a given, too, because it's Markkanen. One of the best scoring big men in the NBA with a rare scoring repertoire for someone his size.
But that hasn't been the case. While the Lakers and Magic were both undermanned too, the Jazz made it clear to both teams that they were not going to roll over and die for them. Much of it has been because Keyonte George has proven himself as ascending star in Year 3 with the Jazz, and there's plenty to be desired on the defensive end, but this truly is different from last year.
Their dependence on Markkanen isn't as strong as it has been in the past, which shows that this team's talent goes beyond what he can do. Many doubted the Jazz's talent outside of Markkanen coming into this season, and they've proven their promise without him.
Adding in the fact that there's no Walker Kessler, and Jazz fans have every reason to embrace the moral victories from losses like these. The team might still be losing, but it's not in a depressing manner like it was last season. These are the kind of losses that build up confidence in young teams on the rise like Utah.
Fans want a high lottery pick, but also want the Jazz to fight
Most fans want Utah to have its cake and eat it this season. They don't want to see a team blatantly tank - last season was very difficult to stomach - but they don't want them to win too many games because of the potential consequences that would come with winning too many when the season wraps up.
Losing enough to keep that pick away from the Thunder while also fighting hard enough to entertain is exactly what Utah should aspire to do because fans don't mind losing in that fashion in the slightest. They know what's at stake while also wanting entertainment, and that's what Utah has provided for them.
It is a shame if it means Markkanen will play less, as he's been as awesome as ever, but fans understand when so much could go so very right and so very wrong for the Jazz this season. If they have a thrilling year that also comes with enough losing to secure that pick, then this season went as ideally as possible.