Utah Jazz: Shake, rattle and roll — Team uses pregame rituals to get ready for battle

Will Ferrell and Napoleon Dynamite (at least the actor who played him) can take some credit for the creative routine that Miles and Williams do. The Jazz guards were watching "Blades of Glory," when they were inspired by the two ice-skating actors. (And, really, who wasn't?)

For the few — OK, millions of Jazz fans who missed that, um, cinematic masterpiece — Miles said Ferrell and Jon Heder acted like they were going to give each other fist bumps but then turned away from each other before coming back for a big finish. Little did they know, an NBA ritual would be born.

"Right when it happened in the movie, we did it and ever since then we've done that," Miles said.

The third-year pro said Dee Brown, a backup point guard with the Jazz last season, got the handshaking ball rolling, and he's just kept the tradition going.

"It became a ritual," Miles said. "We're not really superstitious. It's just something that we do every game. It's fun, bonding."

The way they chest-bump and bounce around like Tigger before games, it's apparent that this is not your dad's Stockton-to-Malone Utah Jazz team. Miles says the team, which is one of the youngest teams in the NBA, has fun with its youth, energy and closeness. Getting a little wild is just part of their customary routine that helps them get ready.

"The team's a lot different, a lot younger. ... We're a lot of energetic guys. We're all like brothers. We're all like a family, and we show it on the court," Miles said. "We pump each other up. If somebody's down we help them up, and if somebody does something good we're ready to hype up."

Collins said his routine is about the same every game — even between the time the Jazz do their final pregame chat and the tip. He always gives Boozer "a little fist pound" and then waits for Williams to give him the hot pack. He then shakes hands with Williams, Brewer, Boozer and finally Miles.

Then there's the seating chart, which is unofficial but observed. Collins makes sure he's fourth from the end every time.

"There's a seating ritual, it's not assigned, anybody can sit wherever, but we've all got our spots," he said. "I'm fourth from the end. It goes Matty (Harpring), Jason Hart, Ronnie Price, myself, Paul (Millsap), C.J., Kyle (Korver) and then the coaching staff."

Collins pointed out that the coaches also have a seating order.

"A lot of guys are a little superstitious about things they do and how they prepare themselves. That's just part of the business," said Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. "I think everybody should have a routine of some sort. It helps prepare ya. That's always been my attitude. I have routines I go through but not as dramatic, not as flashy as some of the others."