Chummy Aussie NBA duo Dante Exum and Joe Ingles talk up Utah Jazz’s bright future

WHO would win a one-on-one pick up game between Aussie Utah Jazz duo Joe Ingles and Dante Exum? Their answer reveals the extent of their special bromance.

Joe & Dante: An NBA bromance like no other

A SIMPLE question about who would win a one-on-one pick up game between Joe Ingles and Dante Exum reveals all you need to know about the Aussie Utah Jazz duo.

“Once Joe corrects his sling shot of a shot, maybe we can talk,” Exum said.

“I’m too quick for Joe. Joe is slow laterally. He’s not strong. He can’t even post me up.”

Comments like that to a seasoned basketball professional and Euroleague champion, from a teenage rookie of all people, wouldn’t go down well with many NBA players.

But Ingles is chuckling beside Exum, gladly taking the cheeky trash talk in his stride.

Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum defends against Houston Rockets guard James Harden as Joe Ingles watches on.

Among an NBA environment where egos are as big as they are fragile, their banter is refreshing and gives a bit of insight into the special, and oh-so-Australian camaraderie these Boomers teammates share.

Despite an eight-year age difference, Ingles and Exum speak down the phone line from the US like two bickering, but no-less close brothers.

When Exum deflects a question to Ingles, the South Australian forward playfully tells the young rookie he is “such a loser”.

On the topic of fashion, Exum is mocked by Ingles about his “suave little jackets and jeans, and button-up shirts” despite the 19-year-old pleading with Ingles to “be nice”.

When Gordon Hayward’s criticism is brought up, about Exum being too passive on court, Ingles chimes in with “it was a very fair comment”, prompting Exum to snap “shut up” straight back.

But among the quips, it’s not hard to tell there’s also a mutual respect. And in the Jazz squad the two have complemented each other on the court as much as they do off it, especially in recent weeks.

“Him being 19 and not realising, he’s got his X-Box turned on in the background and he’s holding these two silly ties you can’t even see because of the background colour.” - Ingles on Exum’s fashion.

Currently riding a six-game winning streak, the Jazz have significantly lifted their performance since the All-Star break, knocking off the Hornets, Pistons, Rockets, Knicks, Nets and 76ers along the way.

While they don’t have the big names of some other teams, the pair have not lost hope of a playoffs berth.

“We’re just focused on ourselves at the moment and improving on every game, and if it happens that we get in the [playoff] picture, then so be it,” Exum said.

“You’ll be talking about this team in the next few years and saying ‘I bet people want to play in this team’,” Ingles said.

“Our main guy Gordon [Hayward] is only 24 years old, Derrick Favors is 24, and obviously Dante is 12.”

Without fail, there’s that banter once again.

But Ingles has a point, and he’s seen the inside of enough locker rooms to know what promising talent looks like.

“When I was around the Clippers it was all about a championship and what we’re doing to get there,” he said.

“The move over here has been very different. A lot more about development and with the second youngest team in the NBA, its about the future. As much as you want to win right now, you know it’s a process.”

Exum has been a big part of that process too.

His impressive defence has been a highlight, but Hayward’s questions over his aggression (or lack of) has ignited the youngster. The Melburnian has contributed 51 points and 14 assists in his past five games.

“I’ve had people come up to me and say ‘keep shooting it, you can make it’. It just gives me that little bit of confidence that when I take that next shot, it’s going to go down,” Exum said.

“Getting that starting role has helped me go against some of the best players from the start and made me more aggressive.”

Jazz coach Quin Snyder has also helped in Exum’s development from mysterious teenage draft pick, to current NBA starter.

Ingles, Snyder and Exum courtside.

“One of the more surprising things is he’s been on court with me whenever he can. Even if it’s just for five minutes to teach me a little footwork drill, he’s on court and it just shows he’s committed to the job and helping me develop,” Exum said.

Having a familiar face like Ingles by his side too, has no doubt helped Exum in making the huge adjustment from high school to the NBA.

It’s clear these two inseparable mates have each other’s backs, and that can only be a good thing for their on-court chemistry at the Jazz going forward.

“Onya Joe,” Exum said after Ingles points out Utah’s bright future led by the rookie.

“Just giving you a shoutout, making you feel better about yourself.”

Quality.

Originally published as Chummy Aussie NBA duo Dante Exum and Joe Ingles talk up Utah Jazz’s bright future