'Why not us?' Keyonte George thinks Utah Jazz can be playoff team
I am sure that the Jazz are going to be a major threat over next several years. A major reason why is the culture that is been on full display over these painful years. Yes, the talent has to be on the team. And, championship teams have a "winning culture." I put that in quotes because it is hard to define. The Jazz are doing an incredible job of developing a culture that will win. Keyonte George is the prime example of a talented young player that is developing into an incredible leader -- if a young talented player sets the standards for the team the other players follow. Over the last three years we have watched Keyonte: 1) be incredibly coachable -- he and Will Hardy have often spoken about their meeting after his rookie year -- look at his improvement in all areas over the last 2 years; 2) understand the importance of team building -- remember the story of him going to Finland with Lauri Markkanen; 3) bridging the young players and vets: all season after wins whether he was playing or not he was pumping up the young players during and after the games; and 4) now he is at the draft lottery meeting with whomever is the next critical piece of the Jazz puzzle. I'm sure that there all other examples -- all of this gives me confidence that not only do the Jazz have the talent; they also have a leader with the attitude and character to lead a winning team.
The Jazz are going to be wicked next season. They have the front office, the coach, the talent, and the player leadership.