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SALT LAKE CITY — The tongue-in-cheek comments were fast and furious ahead of Utah's first In-Season Tournament game Friday.
Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson spoke about getting "that bread" but did so with a knowing smile. Utah coach Will Hardy, meanwhile, jokingly called the tournament "the most important development in basketball since the peach basket."
But have things changed ahead of Utah's second tournament game — and first home edition — Tuesday night against the Portland Trail Blazers?
"We're coming for that cup," Hardy said to the players after the Jazz's win in Memphis that put them at the top of their group. "We're going to Vegas and we're getting the cup."
Sure, that was also said in a playful way, but there was, at least, some seriousness behind it, too.
"It felt a little bit more intense, just straight up," forward John Collins said.
He noted there was a made-for-TV aspect of it all — the extremely colorful courts and the jerseys — but all of that also made it feel different.
"I feel like they want it to be a little bit more of an intense deal," he said. "And they want fans as well as players, coaches just to be more engaged in the regular season. Better business is better for everybody, right? So I understand that and I definitely thought the notch turned up a little bit for sure."
That can be seen throughout the league. The games have been competitive, and the tournament's tiebreakers are starting to influence games. With only four group games, there are bound to be plenty of ties for both the group winner spots, as well for the final wild card.
The first tiebreaker is based on point differential from the four group games and the second is points scored in tournament games. That means every point matters.
An example: The Jazz are currently alone at the top of their group because of a last-second 3-pointer from Suns' guard Eric Gordon in a loss to the Lakers Friday.
In a non-tournament game that 3-pointer would have been completely meaningless. The Suns were down by 6 points and had no chance of winning; however, it knocked the Lakers' point differential down from 6 to 3 — and, therefore, behind the Jazz.
Players have even scolded teammates for dribbling out the clock, understanding that points are key to advancing out of the group stages.
Since overall point differential matters for tiebreakers in this tournament, teams are not dribbling the ball out in the final seconds. Instead, players are launching shots despite the result being decided. Sabonis just scolded Huerter for not shooting a 3 before the buzzer. pic.twitter.com/MgL1L1Dr8v
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) November 11, 2023
So, yeah, it's different.
"It's a little fun extra element. I'm sure the crowd is going to be fired up for that one, and so are we," Markkanen said of the tournament. "We are looking for an opportunity to get better as a team and take that next step. But, of course, it brings us a little extra fun. New court, a little different environment even though we're home, so it's gonna be fun."
Though, Markkanen said he wishes there was a slight change in the Jazz's tournament design. When thinking about the purple-toned specialized court the Jazz will debut on Tuesday, he said, "I wish it was yellow on yellow."
There have been plenty of facetious comments leading up to the tournament; that, somehow, wasn't one of them.
The tournament, itself, is an attempt to reflect the European soccer competitions that take place throughout a season. It also mimics what happens in European basketball leagues, as well.
"In Europe they don't have the group stage. There are less teams, so you get the top eight teams immediately, but it's similar," Jazz forward Simone Fontecchio said. "It's fun and honestly, I really like it. The fact that they've got in-season shirts, jerseys, courts, it's a lot of fun. Of course, in Europe you don't play for that amount of money."
The Jazz, who hold the top spot in the Western Conference's Group A by virtue of their group-best plus-6 point differential, are hoping the fun continues Tuesday. Utah is a 6.5-point favorite against the Blazers. A win over Portland could really add to the intrigue.
The Jazz will play Phoenix at the Delta Center Friday, and will finish group play next Tuesday against the Lakers in Los Angeles.
Group A standings
(Point differential in parentheses)
- Utah Jazz 1-0 (+6)
- Los Angeles Lakers 1-0 (+3)
- Portland Trail Blazers 1-0 (+2)
- Phoenix Suns 0-1 (-3)
- Memphis Grizzlies 0-2 (-8)
