Things are finally looking up for the ever-struggling Utah Jazz.
I promise I'm still trying to keep my blind optimism at bay for the upstart Utah Jazz, a franchise that has spent the past three seasons diving to the bottom of the NBA standings and now fancies itself a contender in the Western Conference playoff picture. But the combination of on-paper ability combined with the optics of this team's offseason are dragging me right back down the path of senseless excitement and unceasing hype.
It all started, of course, with the Jazz coming away with the number-two pick in the NBA Draft lottery. For once, the ping pong balls bounced in Utah's favor, pushing the Jazz up the order for the first time in the history of the lottery as they stepped from four to two. The proceeded to win the third pick as well in a statistical miracle that was obviously disregarded.
The Jazz finally came away with a prospect they whole-heartedly believed would develop into a superstar, Darryn Peterson, and the age of the tank had reached a momentous conclusion.
It's like a fairy tale, and it gets even better when considering the type of content put out by the Jazz's social outlets, from players, to the head coach, and even the owner giving fans countless reasons to buy in completely to what's being built in Utah.
The first eye-catching update came in the form of a boys trip to Finland. Head coach Will Hardy met up with Keyonte George and Jaren Jackson Jr. on a trip to Lauri Markkanen's homeland to support their teammate in the international summer circuit.
They all rolled out of the Scandinavian nation in a vintage Mustang, unfolding and decompressing as they all chuckled with each other on the way out.
They shared more of their antics during the offseason, but the most important detail to mention in all of this is the is how well new teammates are meshing together. Jaren Jackson Jr. has been a remarkably natural fit with his new team, and is already making himself a fan favorite in Utah.
Most impressive of all, I'd argue, is the clip of owner Ryan Smith and Will Hardy running ladders and participating in the team's drills.
That's not something you'll see league-wide -- it's clear that the Jazz are establishing a winning culture as their foundation before pursuing their on-court goals this upcoming season.
For the Utah Jazz, there's nothing fans want to see more. Optimism is through the roof.
