Utah Jazz: Biggest strengths and weaknesses for 2017-18

Strength No. 2: Chemistry

What the Utah Jazz lack in superstar power and influence, they make up for it in chemistry and camaraderie.

There might not be a team in the NBA more willing to do the hard yards than the Jazz. They’ll dig deep for their teammates for 82 games and display the sort of loyalty most franchises only dream of having.

Public displays of friendship have been rife on social media as the squad jokes and trains together in preparation for the 2017-18 season. This group is tight, and that will translate on the court when the Jazz hit an inevitable rough patch.

While Hayward leaving left a giant hole in the team, that space is being filled with a stronger, tighter bond by the players he left behind.

With chemistry like this will come an unselfish nature that perhaps only the San Antonio Spurs can replicate. Gobert referred to the new style when speaking to Deseret News:

"“I think we’re going to try to maybe play at a higher pace (offensively), especially with Ricky. We’re going to be a defensive-minded team, an unselfish team. I think we’re going to be very fine.”"

Teams see their roster change every season, and the Jazz might be completing the biggest identity shift of all 30, but the core group remains.

Gobert is the pillar with old heads in Joe Ingles, Joe Johnson, Ekpe Udoh and Thabo Sefolosha around him. Dante Exum, Rodney Hood, Alec Burks and Donovan Mitchell offer up a youthful exuberance that keeps the ageing players young.

It’s an under-the-radar roster, but they won’t mind. This group will be tight, they’ll stick together and they’ll overcome struggles many other teams wouldn’t.