Utah’s note worthy milestone celebration has our attention.
2024 is a special year for the Utah Jazz; the team from Salt Lake City celebrates 50 years in the NBA.
The journey for the Utah Jazz up until this point has been one of close seconds, but never quite clearing that final hurdle to become NBA champions; but still, the Jazz is unquestionably one of the more respected organisations in the league.
In celebration of this milestone achievement, the Jazz are releasing a documentary that highlights each decade of the franchise’s history, going all the way back to their roots in New Orleans.
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Note Worthy: 50 seasons of Jazz basketball
Produced by Emmy-winning creative agency Heart and Hustle, along with SEG Media, the documentary explores the storied history of the organisation and goes behind closed doors for an exclusive look at where they are today.
Sit down interviews with some of the Jazz’s most famous former players, including John Stockton and Karl Malone, will navigate fans through the excitement, controversy and tangible moments that has made the Utah Jazz who they are today.
“The history of the Jazz is crowded with unforgettable personalities, fearless decisions, and transcending moments,” said Rashad Floyd, founder of Heart & Hustle Productions.
“Our goal is to honour the legacy of the franchise while cinematically illustrating their vision for the future.”
Jazz Note Worthy trailer
When does ‘Note Worthy: 50 Seasons of Jazz Basketball’ come out?
Spring, 2024
Utah Jazz fans and NBA supporters in general won’t have to wait long for the upcoming documentary, with the Jazz reporting that it will be released in Spring (autumn in the Southern Hemisphere) — so any time between March and May.
We can expect the organisation to announce a specific date closer to the time, as of mid-February nothing has been put in stone.
Where can you watch the documentary?
Jazz+ – the organisation streaming service
According to the Utah Jazz’s website, the documentary will be available for viewing on their new subscription-based streaming service, Jazz+.
This platform, which only opened at the start of the season, allows fans to watch all Utah games, plus exclusive content and the flexibility to watch those games live and on-demand.
The documentary will air on there once it’s released, meaning all the people who wish to view it will have to get a subscription to Jazz+.
What will the Utah Jazz documentary be about?
According to the team’s website, through powerful interviews, cinematic scenes and never-before-released footage, the documentary will show the intriguing personalities and stories of the past 50 years of the Utah Jazz.
‘Note Worthy: 50 Seasons of Jazz Basketball’ explores the five decades of the franchise’s involvement in the NBA, from their beginnings in New Orleans, all the way to where they are now in Salt Lake City, Utah.
In what will be a long-form film, it’s expected the documentary will progress chronological through the eras of Jazz Basketball, from the 1970s through to their dominance in the 90s, all the way to where they are in the 2023-24 season.
Here’s what you can expect to be covered through each decade of the Utah Jazz.
New Orleans Jazz – 1970s
Many have wondered why the Utah have the team name the ‘Jazz’ considering the southern states are much more synonymous with that style of music. It’s because the team originated in New Orleans in 1974 before moving north in 1979 to relocate to Utah.
The 70s era for the Jazz was marked by NBA 75th anniversary team member and Hall of Famer Pete Maravich who was the superstar of the team up until his departure to Boston in 1980.
Success wasn’t found during this decade at all, with multiple losing records, and never making a post season appearance.
Utah Jazz – 1980s
This was the start of a new beginning for the organisation, having to move to Utah for financial reasons and try build a brand new supporter base.
Led by head coach Frank Layden, the Jazz became a regular playoff team and drafted superstars of the future that would lay the groundwork for the culture of the entire team.
Under his tutelage, the Jazz recorded over a 50% winning record ever season, which they had not done once prior to his appointment.
Utah Jazz – 1990s
The 90s were arguably the Jazz’s most successful decade. They made the Western Conference Finals five times, and made it through to the NBA Finals twice to face the Chicago Bulls.
Karl Malone and John Stockton cemented their names as one of the best duos in NBA history with Stockton’s brilliant vision and scoring, and Malone’s brute strength and interior scoring.
The organisation also had a change at the top job, with Jerry Sloan taking over as head coach in 1989 until the 2010-11 season.
Utah Jazz – 2000s
With the new millennia brought a new period in the history of the Utah Jazz, with the superstar duo of Stockton and Malone departing.
The Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer era began in 2005 where the two would go on to make a conference finals appearance but struggle to get past Kobe Bryant’s Lakers on a number of occasions.
At the end of the decade it was time for the organisation to move on from head coach Jerry Sloan who resigned, and rebuild the management of the team.
Utah Jazz – 2010s
In the 2010 draft, the Jazz selected Gordon Hayward with the ninth overall pick, a player that became a staple for the team until he left in 2017.
It was a fairly average time for the franchise with highs and lows but no deep playoff runs, but rather strong drafting with the likes of Hayward, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.
The Jazz tried desperately to jag a championship with a strong deep roster and stars in Gobert and Mitchell, but their youth may have been their downfall in hindsight.
