A Tougher Jazz Team

I have usually taken a dim view of the Jazz’s chances of improving dramatically from what they are. Too many win streaks, followed by disconcerting slides, the last few years.

And far too many losses to inferior teams.

But I must say I wasn’t among those who saw the Jazz’s comeback win in Phoenix, last night, and thought: This is bad news for Jerry Sloan, his team looked awful most of the game.

It’s true the Jazz had lost three of their previous five, including defeats at Sacramento and the Clippers. But they’re not letting many games get away from them the way they did earlier this year and all last season. The fact they had enough determination to come back after a bad three quarters against Phoenix, on the road, indicates that there’s more toughness than in the past.

Jerry Sloan harps on toughness and consistency on a nightly basis. I once had a Jazz player tell me he couldn’t imagine what it was like for John Stockton and Karl Malone to hear the same speech for 18 years. But lately this team seems to be listening.

No matter how many times it hears the speech.

For now it appears they’re drinking the Kool-Aid.

And for now, so am I.