'He is a competitor, he wants to win': Jazz stars share thoughts on new owner

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Jazz players and coaches already knew Ryan Smith.

He's the guy they've starred in promotions with, holding hands up in support of the 5 For The Fight initiative. He's the guy Jazz coach Quin Snyder has tripped over as he's patrolled the sideline each home game. He's the guy Donovan Mitchell has fist pumped on his way into games ever since he was a rookie.

So when it comes to building relationships, the new Jazz owner isn't starting from scratch.

"I sat next to Greg (Miller) at all the games and they always treated me and my family like we were part of this," Smith said. "So naturally with that came getting to know Quin. I mean, Quin coached literally in front of my feet and tripped over my feet almost every game."

Those previously built relationships have led to excitement throughout the team and organization about the new owner, too.

Make no mistake, the Millers were loved by just about everyone, but ever since Larry H. Miller's death in 2009, the family hasn't been as publicly involved in what is happening on the court. They hired smart people to run the team and trusted them. That led to some good teams, but the energy and passion Larry brought to the franchise was also missing. Smith could bring that back.

"He's a great guy. I think he's a guy that's passionate about what he does, really locked in on the ultimate goal," Mitchell said.

Said Rudy Gobert: "From having spoken with him a few times and even before he was actually the owner, I think he has a great vision. I think he is a competitor, he wants to win. I think it's great to have him part of the family."

That competition is important, especially since Smith will be entering a different world. In business, everyone can rise together; everyone can "win." At least that's been the case in Utah as Smith and plenty of others have turned the Wasatch Front into Silicon Slopes.

Qualtrics won. Omniture won. Pluralsight won. Those victories paved the path for plenty to follow. Competition is there, sure, but in the tech landscape, everyone can be successful.

"It's a closed market, right?" Smith said of the NBA. "We've been dealing in open markets where there can be a lot of princes and princesses in the kingdom. In the league, it's very unique where you are crowning one champion at the end. I think you just go compete. That's all there is to it. I want to win."

Smith met with the team earlier this week to share with them a little about his vision for the club — one that includes championships. That openness was appreciated by the players.

"I think that's really cool of him to come in there and kind of integrate with everybody; to kind of give us his plans of what he sees for us, what he sees going forward," Mitchell said.

Something else the team appreciates: Smith isn't coming in thinking he's the smartest man in the room. The Millers ran a successful franchise for years by trusting the people they hired; Smith plans on doing the same thing.

"He trusts the basketball minds are good at what they do as well," Mitchell said, "so I think that's pretty special to have."

But with relationships already built, Smith does have some opinions. He was thrilled to see Donovan Mitchell sign a max extension last month and he's hoping the Jazz can get one done with Gobert as well.

"I love Rudy," Smith said. "I mean, I see everything he does and have so much respect for him and we definitely hope he's gonna be here for a really long time."

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