Utah Jazz need the Purple and Gold to be black and blue

The Utah Jazz haven't officially made Olivia Newton John's popular song from the 1980s their theme heading into the playoffs.

But don't be too surprised if you happen to hear Jerry Sloan whistling, humming or flat-out screaming "Let's get physical!"

OK, it might be a tad surprising, but the point remains the same.

If he does try that tune, the Jazz coach's version might sound a bit different than Newton's — and here's hoping the cameras are rolling if he indeed starts singing — but he definitely wants his players to receive and apply that message when the series against the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers begins today at Staples Center.

Taking the Lakers out of their comfort zone — even if a bit of force is needed to do it — might be the Jazz's best shot of pulling off the upset.

Not playing that physical style, the Jazz believe, contributed to their woeful defensive performance and losing seven of nine games down the stretch.

"We're definitely a physical team. We rely on that," Jazz point guard Deron Williams said. "I think we got away from that a little bit toward the end of the season, so we need to get that back."

Being physical in the playoffs has certainly been a factor to the Jazz's past postseason success. Opponents often expect to get smacked around a bit by Utah, too.

"It's part of the game. (At) this level it is a little bit more physical of a game," Sloan said. "I think they let you play a little bit more — and we've got to buy into that."

In other words, the Jazz have to start playing like, well, the Jazz of old — return to being a team that's not afraid to mix it up, bang bodies and pound for position. You know, make sure the Purple and Gold glamour guys come out a bit black and blue.

Sloan certainly doesn't want his players, like he often says, to play like they're wearing tuxedos, but he also doesn't endorse dirty play or taking cheap shots.

"I don't believe in any of that stuff," he said. "You just come and play hard."

But how hard is hard enough?

"I've never had a team that's been as physical as I'd like," Sloan said. "If I did, it would be a real thrill."