Category: Utah Jazz Blog

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Dwyane Wade joins ownership group of the Utah Jazz

STATEMENT FROM THE UTAH JAZZ

The Utah Jazz announced that Dwyane Wade, 13-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA champion, will join its ownership group. The ownership group is the youngest in the NBA and is led by technology entrepreneur and Qualtrics founder Ryan Smith and his wife Ashley who acquired a majority interest in the Utah Jazz in late 2020. The small ownership group has previously consisted of tech leaders, including legendary investor and Accel partner Ryan Sweeney, and Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes in addition to the Miller family. Today they announced the addition of Wade.

“Dwyane is not only a basketball legend, he is also a great leader, businessman, and human being,” said Ryan Smith, NBA governor of the Utah Jazz. “As we continue to build on the incredible legacy of the Utah Jazz franchise, we are excited to add Dwyane’s experience and expertise to the equation. Utah is an amazing place and I couldn’t be more thrilled about the future of the franchise and the future of this state. Dwyane’s influence will be important to both.”

Smith and Wade have known each other for several years and have engaged in numerous conversations about working together in various business and investment capacities. Shortly after Smith acquired the Utah Jazz, he and Wade began conversations about Wade joining the Utah Jazz ownership group and Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), the first of many joint business ventures.

“Partnering with Ryan and the Utah Jazz is the perfect fit as we share the same vision and values,” said Dwyane Wade. “Not only is this group focused on building a championship franchise, they are also committed to using their platform to do good and actively create a more inclusive, equitable world. We share a lot of the same goals and are trying to go the same places in life. As a businessman, entrepreneur, and investor, I bring a lot to this partnership outside of my basketball experience. I’m excited to help take the Utah Jazz to the next level. I am always looking for new opportunities to grow and challenge myself. I’ve always done things my own way and this is the next step in my journey. As a kid from the south side of Chicago, this partnership goes beyond my wildest dreams of playing basketball, and I hope to inspire the next generation of dreamers.”

Utah Jazz update on the wearing of masks at home games

The Utah Jazz and Vivint Arena announced today the continued requirement of wearing masks at home games and all facility events as a health and safety protocol against COVID-19, even after the scheduled April 10 lifting of a statewide mask mandate.

Face masks over the nose and mouth are required for guests and staff (age 2+) throughout the arena unless a person is actively eating or drinking. Compliance with mandatory masks aligns with the safety measures established by the NBA and local health officials for mass gatherings.

Other COVID-19 procedures will remain in place, including health screenings, socially distanced seating arrangements, contactless entry with digital tickets, cashless transactions for concessions and merchandise, and reduced capacity in common spaces.

Vivint Arena has also implemented a “no bag” policy this year to expedite entry and reduce screening touchpoints. The only exceptions are diaper and medical bags that will be X-rayed and cannot be larger than 14x14x6 inches.

“We continue to prioritize the health and safety of our fans, employees and players,” said Utah Jazz President Jim Olson. “We are pleased that fans have been able to attend games since December in a limited capacity with incremental increases. While progress is being made with ongoing vaccinations, we are staying the course to maintain a safe and comfortable environment and will adjust our plans as public health conditions improve.”

The Jazz began the second half of the NBA season in March with an arena capacity of about 5,500 fans. The Jazz have an upcoming five-game homestand from April 8-16. The final home game of the regular season at Vivint Arena is scheduled for May 12.

Jazz get through terrifying flight after plane strikes flock of birds

The Jazz had what sounds like a horribly miserable flying experience on Tuesday. Thankfully, they are okay. Via the Salt Lake Tribune:

As the Utah Jazz were taking off Tuesday afternoon to fly to Memphis for Wednesday night’s game, Jordan Clarkson was “being a bad kid” and getting up to grab something out of his bag.

Just as he was almost back to his seat, that’s when everyone heard — and felt — the boom.

Their chartered plane had struck a flock of birds, shredding the jet’s left engine and spawning a sense of helpless dread as many on board wondered if they were about to die.

“For a good 10, 15 minutes, I think all of us on that flight were questioning if we were going to be here today,” Mike Conley said in Wednesday’s postgame media session. “That’s how serious it was for us. I can’t speak for everybody, but I know that some guys were trying to text family, just in case. It was that kind of situation.”

Ugh. Here’s hoping they never have to go through something like that again.

Raptors trade guard Matt Thomas to Jazz

The Utah Jazz have acquired guard Matt Thomas in a trade with the Toronto Raptors for a future second-round draft pick.

Thomas (6-4, 190, Iowa State) is in his second NBA season, averaging 2.7 points on 41.5 percent from three-point range in 2020-21. For his career, the Onalaska, Wis., native has appeared in 67 games (one start), all with Toronto, with averages of 4.1 points on 45.8 percent from the field and 45.7 percent from beyond the arc and 1.2 rebounds in 9.4 minutes per contest.

The 26-year-old has additional professional experience in Spain’s ACB league, where he played for Monbus Obradoiro in 2017-18 and for Valencia Basket in 2018-19. For Monbus Obradoiro, he owned averages of 15.4 points on 47.2 from the field and 45.9 percent from three, along with 2.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 30 games (26 starts). In 53 games (17 starts) with Valencia, he averaged 11.9 points on 51.5 percent shooting and 48.0 percent from downtown, adding 1.6 assists and 1.4 rebounds per contest.

A four-year collegiate player at Iowa State (2013-17), Thomas appeared in 138 games (77 starts) for the Cyclones. As a senior in 2016-17, he averaged 12.3 points on 47.7 percent from the field and 44.5 percent from three, along with 3.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists, helping Iowa State to a Big 12 Tournament Championship.

Thomas will wear no. 21 for the Jazz.

Jazz sign Ersan Ilyasova, who had not played in NBA yet this season

The Utah Jazz signed forward Ersan Ilyasova today.

Ilyasova (6-9, 235, Turkey) spent the 2019-20 season with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he averaged 6.6 points on 46.6 percent from the field and 4.8 rebounds in 63 games (eight starts). The 33-year-old has had a 12-year NBA career, competing in 808 games (423 starts), owning career averages of 10.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists with Milwaukee (2006-07, 2009-15, 2018-20), Detroit (2015-16), Orlando (2015-16), Oklahoma City (2016-17), Philadelphia (2016-17, 2017-18) and Atlanta (2017-18). He’s one of just 26 active players to have totaled over 8,000 points and 4,500 rebounds.

Originally drafted with the 36th overall pick (second round) in the 2005 NBA Draft by Milwaukee, Ilyasova has additional playing experience in Europe, competing for Fenerbahce Ulker in 2004-05 and 2011-12 and with FC Barcelona from 2007-09. He’s also represented the Turkish National Team since 2006 in nine different events, averaging 11.7 points and 5.9 rebounds in 52 international contests.

Ilyasova will wear no. 77 for the Jazz.

The Jazz have a 27-9 record, which is the best in the entire NBA. They’re being led in scoring this season by Donovan Mitchell at 24.7 points per game, Jordan Clarkson at 17.9 ppg (coming off the bench for all 36 of his games played), Mike Conley at 16.1 ppg, Bojan Bogdanovic at 15.7 ppg, Rudy Gobert at 14.2 ppg, and Joe Ingles at 11.5 ppg. The team is ranked 4th in the NBA in both offense and defense.

Utah Jazz reveal new ‘Earned Edition’ uniforms

The Utah Jazz revealed today their new Nike NBA Earned Edition uniforms that will debut with the second half start of the 2020-21 NBA season on March 12 against the Houston Rockets at Vivint Arena. Only teams that advanced to the NBA playoffs last season qualified for the Earned Edition.

The 2020-21 Utah Jazz Earned Edition brings back the green color into the uniform set, echoing the classic road uniform the team originally wore upon arrival in Salt Lake City in 1979.

The jersey features the enlarged J-note colored in gold and white. The side panels have a new design, evoking the shape and style of the upper portion of the J-note logo. The uniform also includes a silver Nike logo on the shorts and the jersey as well as the 5 For The Fight partnership patch representing the campaign for cancer research.

The Nike NBA Earned Edition gives the Jazz five total uniform options this season joining “Association” (White), “Icon” (Blue), “Statement” (Gold) and “City” (Dark Mode).

Mike Conley named NBA All-Star Game injury replacement for Devin Booker, who replaced Anthony Davis

Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley has been named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace injured Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker on Team Durant in the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, which will be played on Sunday, March 7 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

In addition, Conley will replace Booker in the 2021 3-Point Contest, which will be held on March 7 before the NBA All-Star Game.

This is the first NBA All-Star selection for Conley, who is in his 14th season. He is averaging 16.1 points and 5.7 assists and shooting a career-high 42.2 percent from three-point range in 29 games this season. Conley, 33, has helped the Jazz post an NBA-best 27-9 record. He joins two Utah teammates, Team LeBron center Rudy Gobert and Team Durant guard Donovan Mitchell, in the NBA All-Star Game.

Booker is unable to play in the NBA All-Star Game or participate in the 3-Point Contest because of a left knee sprain. He was named to the NBA All-Star Game by the Commissioner as an injury replacement for Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis. Booker is averaging 24.9 points and 4.4 assists in 31 games this season.

According to NBA rules, when a player selected to the All-Star Game is unable to participate, the Commissioner shall choose a replacement from the same conference as the player who is being replaced. Booker and Conley both play for Western Conference teams.

The NBA All-Star Game and 3-Point Contest are part of NBA All-Star 2021, which will take place on one night this year.

Jazz success this NBA season has put a target on their backs

Thanks to all the winning they’re doing this season, the Jazz have a target on their backs. Via the Salt Lake Tribune:

First came the 11-game winning streak. Then a follow-up nine-game winning streak. The surge to the top of the NBA standings. The universal praise from opposing coaches. The growing-if-guarded optimism from fans. The recognition and acknowledgement from national media types. The begrudging top position in pundits’ respective power rankings.

Yeah, the Utah Jazz were unquestionably the hottest team in the NBA.

And now, as a result, they are perhaps the most targeted.

Monday night’s loss in New Orleans was their second defeat in three games, and their third in the past six. Even many of their wins of late have been increasingly hard-fought. The price of Utah’s early success, it would seem, is that they are no longer perceived as simply a feel-good story, a scrappy team collectively playing over their heads, but rather a legitimate threat deserving of opponents’ full attention every night now.

It’s a good problem to have. Teams playing harder against the Jazz in the regular season will help toughen the Jazz up and prepare them for the playoffs. Utah’s eyes should be on the prize. They’re serious this season. And should welcome their opponents’ best.

Jazz waive guard Shaquille Harrison

The Utah Jazz yesterday waived guard Shaquille Harrison.

Harrison (6-4, 189, Tulsa) appeared in 17 games with the Jazz in 2020-21, averaging 1.0 points in 3.3 minutes per contest.

The Jazz are 26-6 this season, which is the best record in the NBA. They’ve been the surprise of the league. Coming into the season they were expected to be a very good team, and certainly a playoff team, but they have exceeded all expectations.

Quin Snyder will coach Team LeBron in 2021 NBA All-Star Game

Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder and his staff will coach Team LeBron in the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, which will take place on Sunday, March 7 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

Guiding the Jazz to a 24-5 record through Feb. 18, the best start in franchise history, Snyder earned the right to coach the Western Conference All-Star Team by virtue of having the best record in the conference.

The Jazz currently have the best net rating in the NBA (9.5) and are the only team that rank in the top five in offensive rating (116.5) and defensive rating (106.9). The team is off to a historic three-point shooting season, having knocked down 482, the most by any team in NBA history through 29 games. Utah is also the best rebounding team in the NBA, pulling down 48.7 boards per contest and this season have posted separate win streaks of 11 (Jan. 8 – Jan. 29) and nine (Feb. 2 – pres.), also having currently won 20 of their last 21 games.

The Mercer Island, Wash., native is in his seventh season as head coach of the Utah Jazz, owning an all-time record of 295-216 (.577). He’s helped guide Utah to four-straight postseasons and over the past five seasons (2016 – pres.), the team is 217-130 (.625), which is the sixth best record in the NBA and third-best in the West during that stretch.

On Jan. 27, Snyder helped Utah to a 116-104 win over Dallas in his 500th game as Utah’s head coach and also passed Frank Layden for the second most all-time wins in franchise history on Jan. 12 with a 117-87 victory at Cleveland and is now only five wins away from his 300th career win.

Snyder is the second-ever Jazz head coach to earn Western Conference All-Star Coaching duties, joining Frank Layden who coached in the 1984 All-Star Game.