featured-image

The Train's Leaving, It’s Time to Come Aboard

By Angie Treasure, Utah Jazz Fan Post

This is special time to be a Jazz fan. There’s a lot of interest in the team’s post All-Star surge as well as the group’s suffocating defense anchored by the steal of the 2013 draft. Blog posts and think pieces about this intriguing squad on the rise have been piling up from national outlets whose interests are piqued by Gordon Hayward and the rest of the young guns in navy, green and gold. But is being nationally lauded the reason most Jazz fans are giddy at the prospect of seasons yet to come? No. I don’t need popular websites with high click counts to tell me what I already know.

This team is so much fun to watch.

Look, my Jazz fandom has never been predicated on wins and losses. In fact, my involvement in (or obsession with, depending on whom you talk to) the Jazziverse came at a time when the team wasn’t piling up many Ws. Like most native Utahns, my fandom started at birth. Rooting for the Jazz was always a part of my general consciousness right along with the ABCs and distrusting politicians. As a young girl in Northern Utah, I remember watching the hallmark games of the '90s surrounded by cheering and jeering adults. I’m grateful for the winning tradition that was established during those years and the rabid basketball fan base it engendered, but I feel bad for people who say they were spoiled during that time and haven’t decided whether or not to reinvest in the team.

I’m telling you now: It’s time to jump on the train.

There’s a buzz about the Jazz right now that’s hard to ignore. People have started to pay attention to this Utah team because they have one of the league’s best records since the All-Star break. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a little smug having been in on the secret for a while now. There’s a lot of chatter about Rudy Gobert, the NBA’s most nickname-able player. Since he became our starting center, I routinely get a case of what I refer to as the Gobert giggles. He does things so ridiculous, impressive and downright improbable that my first instinct is to laugh at the absurdity of what I’m watching. The dunks. The blocks. The saluting! And my personal favorite, his remarkable ability to see the floor and assist his teammates. I mean, did you see that behind-the-back pass last night?! There has been no shortage of deserved league-wide excitement focused on the 22-year-old Frenchman.

If that’s not enough for you to get giddy about, just wait! There’s more!

Aside from our physically gifted and insanely driven center, we have a bevy of rookies who have all improved since the season launched in October. The two Aussies, Danté Exum and Joe Ingles, have not only given fans snarky interactions to feast on that are pure gold, but have made large contributions to this team. We’ve gotten a look at Exum’s incredible speed and court vision as well as "Slow-Mo" Joe's sweet lobs and leadership, not to mention his underappreciated sense of humor. Rodney Hood has overcome early-season injuries and now showcases maybe the prettiest lefty shot I’ve ever seen. And how fun is it to have another Millsap on the court? Jazz fan favorites tend to be guys who hustle and leave it all on the floor, and the former D-Leaguer, who is getting his first real shot in the NBA, exemplifies those qualities.

The Jazz are so young that even their “seasoned veterans” are 27 and under. I always said I would weep when the day came that I was older than the Jazz’s starting five, and here we are.

Hand me the tissues.

The Jazz are led by youthful vets Derrick Favors and Hayward, the only guys in the starting lineup to repeat that job for a second season. Favors has shown an adept ability to finish around the rim and his feathery soft mid-range jumper makes my heart sing. Gordon is proving to everyone that his market max contract was worth every penny, and his ability to take over games and facilitate for others has been fantastic this year. Don’t even get me started on his great haircut. That requires a dissertation all its own.

Trey has become a valuable scorer with the second unit. Trevor Booker tries to pull the rim clean off the backboard when he dunks. Watching Quin Snyder’s teaching moments and GIF-worthy reactions on the sideline is worth the price of admission on its own.

Pick a storyline. It’s hard to argue that it isn’t my favorite.

I’m glad people are talking about the Jazz; it makes those of us who made it through what I call the “don’t-read-the-comments” years feel some vindication. But you know what? I don’t need national media to tell me that this burgeoning Utah Jazz team is thrilling to watch. I feel that every time I show up at EnergySolutions Arena or turn on a game.

Buy in. Sign up. Don your favorite player’s jersey. You might be surprised how many people in the community are excited to talk Jazz basketball. 

Soon enough, you’ll be one of those fans who will be able to say, “I was there when … .”