John Collins’ Unique Team Bonding Approach: Custom Handshakes With Utah Jazz Teammates
The power forward creates special connections through elaborate handshake routines on the court
Swathi holds a postgraduate degree in English Literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and a diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam. With over three years of experience writing on beauty, health, sports and lifestyle, she writes for NBAJunction and Stylecraze.
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The Utah Jazz recently shared an interview of John Collins where he reveals his preferred method of connecting with teammates – elaborate handshakes. In a post shared on the team’s official Instagram account, Collins can be seen executing unique handshake routines with various teammates, demonstrating his commitment to fostering team unity in a personalized way.
The video clip shows Collins performing different handshake sequences with several Jazz players, each routine appearing to be customized for the specific teammate. The interactions showcase not just coordination but a level of chemistry that suggests these routines have been practiced multiple times, becoming a signature element of the team’s pregame or practice rituals.
The Jazz captioned the post with “john’s favorite form of team bonding?? handshakes 🤝” followed by the team’s signature hashtag “#TakeNote,” highlighting how this seemingly small gesture has become an important part of Collins’ approach to team building.
Collins’ Impressive Season With Utah
This display of team camaraderie comes during what has been a standout season for Collins with the Jazz. According to recent posts from the team, Collins became just the fifth player in Jazz history to average more than 19 points per game while shooting over 50% from the field – placing him in elite company in the franchise’s record books.
The Jazz recently highlighted this achievement in another post, stating: “This season John became the 5th jazz player ever to avg 19+ points on 50% shooting.” The team followed this announcement with a compilation of Collins’ top moments from the season, showcasing his offensive efficiency and athletic ability.
The power forward has particularly impressed fans with his highlight-reel dunks, with the Jazz dedicating an entire carousel post to his above-the-rim finishes earlier in the season. The team captioned that post with “A carousel packed with John Collins dunks, you’re welcome 🤩 #TakeNote,” acknowledging the excitement Collins brings to the court.
Building Culture In Salt Lake City
Collins’ handshake routines represent more than just casual interactions – they symbolize the culture-building efforts taking place within the Jazz organization. As the team continues its rebuilding process, creating strong bonds between players becomes essential for long-term success.
The Utah Jazz, founded in 1974 as the New Orleans Jazz before relocating to Salt Lake City in 1979, has historically prioritized team chemistry and continuity. The franchise became known for this approach during the Jerry Sloan era (1988-2011), when the team reached the NBA Finals twice and maintained one of the most stable cultures in the league.
Collins’ focus on personalized connections with teammates follows in this tradition while adding his own modern flair. The handshake routines likely serve multiple purposes – building rapport, establishing pregame rhythm, and creating moments of levity during the grueling NBA season.
Collins’ Impact Beyond Statistics
While Collins’ on-court production has been impressive, joining the exclusive club of Jazz players averaging 19+ points on 50% shooting, his impact extends beyond the box score. The handshake routines highlight his role as a cultural connector within the team, someone who invests time in building relationships with teammates.
This approach aligns with Jazz’s current rebuilding philosophy under CEO Danny Ainge and head coach Will Hardy, who have emphasized developing young talent while creating a positive team environment. Collins, at 26 years old and in his seventh NBA season, provides valuable experience while still relating well to the team’s younger players.
For Jazz fans, these glimpses into team chemistry offer hope for the future. While the team continues its developmental phase, the connections being formed now could lay the groundwork for success in coming seasons. Collins’ handshake routines may seem like a small detail, but they represent the type of team-building that often precedes on-court success.
As the Jazz continue to take note of Collins’ contributions both statistically and culturally, his handshake tradition stands as a tangible symbol of the bonds being formed within this young, evolving team.
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