Jazz PXP man David Locke post 1/23/2012

This Utah Jazz team is becoming defined by togetherness, a collective toughness and unity. No one could have seen this coming from the conclusion of last year. This team closed last year lifeless, divided and playing out the string.

It seems contrary to logic that getting blown out in 3 of the first 4 games would bring this team together into this collective personality. Somehow it has happened and I believe two factors have contributed to the 2010-11 #weareutahjazz approach of this team.

Every player on this team has a score to settle. Every player has been doubted, traded or discarded. The veterans on this team are 2nd round picks Earl Watson and Paul Millsap, undrafted and released Raja Bell, twice traded Al Jefferson and Devin Harris and left on the scrap heap Josh Howard and Jamaal Tinsley. Even the youngsters have their stories, Gordon Hayward questioned at every turn, Alec Burks ignored by all AAU teams, scholarships offers and all-star teams only to lead his high school team to the State Championship game and become Big 12 Freshman of the year, Derrick Favors, on the trade block from day 1 and NCAA victim Enes Kanter.

It is a team lacking of entitlement instead it is a team that feels it has things to prove. Pre-Game in Denver one of the Nuggets announcers was doing his pre-game on the jumbotron and said “Last game we beat a great team (Miami) and tonight we need to beat a good team (Utah).” Trust me, the Jazz players heard it, were aware of it and used it as another slight to add to their list.

Take this collective edge and add a renewed feeling of team ownership and you have the two ingredients that have built this team’s personality. In the past, this was Jerry Sloan’s team. Sloan was the dominant force. He sets the standards, the rules and led the team successfully on its journey. The players didn’t have a voice, this was Sloan’s team. The track record of success for is undeniable his method worked fabulously.

This locker-room is different. Tyrone Corbin is the leader, he is building the personality of this team, as he fits right into the slighted and doubted category as well. Corbin has opened the locker-room voice to the players. Now players are sharing their opinions, their suggestions and thoughts. When the year started it was almost exclusively Watson and Tinsley that were speaking up. However, in recent weeks, Jefferson, Millsap, Harris and Bell have all added their voices to the mix. 

The players have developed an ownership of this team. They are invested. It has manifested itself when they feel someone criticizes or doubts one of their own. They come fighting to their comrade’s defense. Watson attacking Dirk, Howard’s foul late in San Antonio have been the obvious on floor moments, but it has also happened in the locker-room as the players defend CJ or Devin or whoever they believe to be under fire.

This has become their team. They are indentifying with We are Utah Jazz. It has a meaning to them. It is about who they are, who they have been and who they want to become.