Utah Jazz: No Distractions, No Controversies – Just Basketball

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When the Utah Jazz kicked off training camp this week with their annual media day, I found myself breathing a sign of relief, and I have to imagine jazz fans feeling the same as well.

It’s not just because the vaccinated reporters were able to conduct in-person interviews this season, which means my readers will be able to enjoy more in-depth and comprehensive content. I also realized that for the first time in a long time, I am heading into an NBA season and that there is apparently no controversy, drama or scandal surrounding the team I am covering. Instead, we can all really focus on Jazz basketball.

When I was covering the Philadelphia 76ers it was one thing after another: Ben Simmons avoiding the 3-point line, Brett Brown might get fired every season, first overall pick Markelle Fultz mysteriously unable to shoot a basketball, a general manager who was ousted after the Burnergate scandal.

Then I came to Utah and after working only three months the Jazz was at the center of the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of the NBA. The franchise’s All-Star duo of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert both tested positive for the coronavirus, then there was tension between the two stars and concerns about their relationship, then concerns about their upcoming contract extensions.

Prior to training camp, league teams had a rough start. Players in other markets have pushed back the vaccination, causing distractions for the coming season. There are players who try to force trades, players who don’t show up to training camp, injuries who already have fan bases who are worried about their team’s chances and teams who don’t even know not what their alignment will look like.

But on Monday, Jazz CEO Justin Zanik announced that the entire Jazz organization has been 100% vaccinated, then the players one by one walked into a press conference room and they all had smiles on their faces, excited for the 82 games to come. No distraction, no controversy, nothing is holding them back. Just basketball.

Jazz lovers, your team is in a good position right now and the 2021-22 season is just around the corner. In the words of Donovan Mitchell on game day, “Let’s go!

This week on ‘Unsalvageable’

To verify “Unbearable: A Utah Jazz Podcast ”, hosted by Deseret News Utah Jazz has beaten journalist Sarah Todd and lifelong jazz fan Greg Foster (no, not that Greg Foster). This week, the team is keeping up to date with league news, bidding farewell to Jarrell Brantley and congratulating Jordan Clarkson on being the coolest jazz player again.

New episodes come out every week. You can listen on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Stapler, Covered and everywhere else you stream podcasts.

Archives

This week in the history of Jazz

On September 26, 2017, the Utah Jazz unveiled the J-Note statue in front of Vivint Arena, now a beloved part of the Jazz experience where fans take photos before and after games or even when they are just exploring the city.

Bonus points

Around the league

New Orleans Pelicans Zion Williamson will run out of time after offseason surgery to mend the broken foot.

NBA officials will no longer review out of bounds calls at the end of the game.

The players who are not vaccinated and cannot play will not be paid.

Next step: NBA preseason

October 4 | 6.30 p.m. | Utah Jazz @ San Antonio Spurs | AT&T SportsNet

October 6 | 6 p.m. Utah Jazz @ Dallas Mavericks | AT&T SportsNet

October 11 | 19h | Utah Jazz vs. New Orleans Pelicans | AT&T SportsNet

October 13 | 19h | Utah Jazz vs. Milwaukee Bucks | AT&T SportsNet

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