Utah Jazz: Thunder Win Is Icing on the Cake at Coming Out Party

Editorial — The Utah Jazz had a dominating win over Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. It feels a bit like the beginning of a new chapter for the team.

Like a debutante coming out into society for the first time, it feels like the Utah Jazz have arrived this week. Just check the word on the street.

The Jazz were on the front page of ESPN.com via a piece by Zach Lowe examining the team’s climb from good to great. Brad Rowland talked about their status as potential contender for Dime Mag. Meanwhile, Sam Amick called them the new elite team in the West in a video for USA Today.

Indeed, after years of rebuilding and some near misses in their pursuit of a playoff berth, the Jazz look to be joining the ranks of the NBA’s elite. And the icing on the cake at the coming out party was a big-time 109-89 win over Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.

Sure, the Thunder were a tired team on the wrong end of a back-to-back. But the fact that the Jazz beat them so thoroughly, without George Hill and Alec Burks, to capture their ninth win in 11 games and take the top spot in the Northwest Division feels like a significant moment in the team’s journey.

I may be drinking the Kool Aid here, but it’s the kind of game that could serve as a springboard toward bigger and better things.

The way they won, what went down along the way — it’s been a while since a game felt so good. Derrick Favors and Rodney Hood were back, signaling a return to health for the squad. Gordon Hayward and Rudy Gobert were their usual, brilliant selves; All-Star nods could be in their future. The team’s depth also showed with big nights from Shelvin Mack and Joe Ingles.

More than anything, though, the way they closed out gives one the impression that this is a different Jazz team. They didn’t sit on their big lead in the fourth quarter, they extended it, outscoring the Thunder 29-21 in the period. After a stretch of rough finishes, the Jazz are now making a habit of owning the fourth quarter.

That’s what elite teams do.

I’m usually the Zen guy, the “things are never as good or bad as they seem” guy, preaching contentment, shades of gray and the like. However, I’m here to tell you it’s OK to believe the word on the street. There’s no shame in getting excited about the big win over Westbrook and his crew.

Take note — the Jazz have turned the page and the new chapter begins with them owning their spot among the best teams in basketball.

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