The Utah Jazz aren’t a tough team (and they clearly need to be)

Two-thirds of the way through the 2019-2020 NBA season, the Utah Jazz clearly aren’t a tough team. Unless this changes soon, a title isn’t likely happening.

Jae Crowder suited up for the Utah Jazz in 107 games during his time in Salt Lake City. And while his braids, clutch 3-point shooting and random jersey number might’ve appealed to many members of #TakeNote Nation, truth be told, I couldn’t stand to watch the guy hoop.

In my mind, he was little more than a “goon,” really.

You know, the guy in hockey who might have some athleticism in him, but due to a lack of raw skill (and teeth), only uses it to slam guys into the boards, pick a few fights and energize a crowd while seated in the penalty box.

Was Crowder the picture-perfect example of an NBA enforcer out on the court? No, but he was close, though. And right now, because of what he brought to the Jazz, I miss him a great deal.

You see, for as many dumb, emotionally-charged decisions as he made for coach Quin Snyder, one thing was for certain — night after night, Crowder was going to give his coach, teammates and the hometown fans every last ounce of energy his 6’6″ frame could muster up.

And he’s not the only one …

There are more, but a few keynote Jazzmen (kind of) fit the “enforcer” mold:

• Antoine Carr – His nickname was “The Big Dog.” Also, he wore goggles.
• John Stockton – Don’t let the short shorts fool you — Stockton was tough.
• Matt Harpring – Pregame, Harpring pumped iron to help him shoot better.
• Trevor Booker – In 2015, Booker slapped Roy Hibbert … in a preseason game.

But while a walk down memory lane is fine and dandy, it’s not doing much for the Jazz …

After rattling off an astounding 19 victories in 21 tries from Dec. 11 to Jan. 25, the Jazz dropped five straight games to round out January and enter February. Then, after busting out a key, four-game winning streak, the team proceeded to lose three games in a row — at home, mind you.

Dennis Lindsey and Justin Zanik’s names have been under fire. Mike Conley’s reputation has taken a hit — especially after being mercilessly torched by soft-spoken Jazzman of yesteryear, Ricky Rubio. Even Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell have caught their fair share of flak.

And while analyst “wannabes” on Twitter and professional number crunchers each have their own theories as to what’s wrong, who’s to blame and how to get things back on track, the infamous “eye test” reveals more than I care to stomach, really …

As currently constituted, this Jazz team is without energy, emotion and tenacity.

Originally from Oklahoma, I might well be the only Jazz fan in the state of Utah who doesn’t completely loathe Russell Westbrook beyond belief, but even I had to scream at the television when — minutes into the last Rockets game, shockingly — Gobert gets physically (and verbally) punked at the rim by Westbrook and has absolutely no response other than to look at the officials.

Do you seriously think the likes of Marcus Smart, Serge Ibaka, Rajon Rondo, Patrick Beverley and Marcus Morris wouldn’t have had something to fire back in that situation? They would’ve, and wouldn’t you know it — each of them plays for a team with no issue getting up for games.

Say what you will about Westbrook and the “emptiness” of his on-court impact, but something that’s undeniable is the sheer ferocity with which he plays. His teammates see it. They talk about it. And because of it, they feel the need to constantly try and match his intensity come game time.

Honestly, the Utah Jazz could use somebody more like him — especially right now.

Please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying …

This article isn’t by any means a call for foul language, dirty play or the disrespecting of NBA officials. What it is, however, is a fan’s cry for somebody on the Jazz — heck, even Juwan Morgan will do — to raise their level of toughness.

Crowder’s not walking through the player’s tunnel at Vivint Smart Home Arena anytime soon. And until Jazz executives find a way to bring a player onboard who can emulate what he did during his brief, but recent stint in Utah, somebody better step up — and fast …

Otherwise, Utah Jazz fans have already seen how this story ends; it’s utterly disappointing.