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The other day, Utah Jazz reserve center Ömer Yurtseven said something really interesting when asked about the culture and identity of the Jazz.
“Every team, every year, I feel like it demands different things from you,” he said. “Same thing with any culture. Whatever the year demands, that’s the personality trait that the year will make you show.”
So let’s just face it. This is not a winning culture. This is not a year that demands winning habits — the kind of habits that are formed with a consistent roster, rotation and with a legitimate hope at something beyond the regular season. I’m sure I’m not the only one that has thought that all culture and identity building have been wasted this season.
But, as Yurtseven continued, he made me rethink some of my previous impressions.
“I think this year has been about persistence and just staying with it, no matter what,” he said.
That could be seen as a bit of a sports cliche and a throwaway comment, but Yurtseven is a very thoughtful person and he doesn’t throw away words. As I digested this idea more, it made me focus more on the individual situations this season.
The players on this team have been thrown curveballs consistently, and whether they are a part of the Jazz’s future or not, they will likely be better people for what they went through, last season or this season.
Not knowing when or how playing time will be distributed, who will be on the roster from one day to the next, what direction the team will be headed and everything in between can certainly be difficult, and it can break certain people. But those that are able to look at this as a growing experience could end up coming out on the other side having built some real character.
So maybe we don’t know what the culture or identity of this new era of the Jazz will be, but we know that the players are being forged in fire and will be made of tougher stuff and ready to roll with the punches, no matter what.
New with the Jazz
Quote of the week
“Collin’s a nut. Collin is a nut.” — Utah Jazz two-way player Johnny Juzang
From the archives
Extra points
- SLC Stars add former NBA All-Star guard (Deseret News)
- Collin Sexton’s post-game dunk steals the show for Jazz vs. Wizards (Deseret News)
- Homecoming in Orlando for rookies Taylor Hendricks and Brice Sensabaugh (Deseret News)
- The rest of the Jazz season is about finding moments that matter (KSL.com)
Around the league
Up next
- March 9 | 7 p.m. MST | Utah Jazz @ Denver Nuggets | KJZZ
- March 12 | 7 p.m. MDT | Utah Jazz vs. Boston Celtics | KJZZ
- March 15 | 7:30 p.m. MDT | Utah Jazz vs. Atlanta Hawks | NBA TV
Sarah Wilson is your guide to the latest trends, viral sensations, and internet phenomena. With a finger on the pulse of digital culture, she explores what’s trending across social media and pop culture, keeping readers in the know about the latest online sensations.
