I have a feeling with how the year started, the Jazz may keep the accelerator on against crappy teams.
Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but from a couple of the quotes the players have put out (I think Millsap and Deron for the most part), they have a small chip growing on their shoulder. Saying things the effect of, "We started bad, and after only two games you guys tossed dirt on us and let us go home." Even Sloan said something like, "It amazes me how quickly people are to throw you under the bus," which makes me feel like this team feels it needs to prove what it can do, and with that comes confidence, anger, and that lovable chip on the shoulder.
I'm usually the first to discard the 'The Sky is FALLING!' people, especially with such a small sample size of crappy play they gave us, but I'm actually really glad. I feel like this is as good of a sign as the OKC game was, for three reasons:
1. The chip on the shoulder/something to prove aspect. If they can bring that every night, it could be scary powerful.
2. This brings the team together, gives them something in common right away, and can make the new additions form that tight-knit bond that we always love to see from the Jazz. If you like playing with each other and all feel wronged in a way, that could be as valuable as good floor spacing. Motivation is key when you don't need to worry about money for the rest of your life.
3. Seeing quotes like that lets us know the Jazz are very confident in their abilities, and I think most will agree with me when saying that beating OKC, especially on the road, is right up there with beating LA on the road in terms of 'things we least expect to be possible.' That's a statement.
All in all, it makes me feel as if the Jazz have a different mindset this season. Confidence, no matter the team or location. Confidence in defense (Millsap said 'we proved we can play defense), which tells me:
A: They care about defense.
B: They CAN play defense, and want to. Rare for us to see in the D-Will era.
Now, with that 5 AM rambling out of the way, if I'm taking these signs in the right way, and they aren't just all temporary, regurgitated cliché, then we should be crushing teams like this, especially at home.
I'm going to assume I'm right and say our largest lead will be 24, final score something around 114-97. Which is exactly what it should be.
