Watch: Monson, Utah Jazz GM discuss Utah going 'Back to the Playoffs'

Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune

Matt Canham, Salt Lake Tribune senior managing editor, introduces Tribune columnist Gordon Monson, Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017.

Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune

Tribune columnist Gordon Monson leads a discussion with Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017.

Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey, makes a comment during a discussion with Salt Lake Tribune columnist Gordon Monson, and Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017.

Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune

Tribune columnist Gordon Monson leads a discussion with Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017.

Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey, makes a comment during a discussion with Salt Lake Tribune columnist Gordon Monson, and Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017.

Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey, makes a comment during a discussion with Salt Lake Tribune columnist Gordon Monson, and Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017.

Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune

Tribune columnist Gordon Monson leads a discussion with Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, and Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017.

Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey, makes a comment during a discussion with Salt Lake Tribune columnist Gordon Monson, and Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017.

Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune

Tribune columnist Gordon Monson leads a discussion with Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, and Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017.

Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune

Tribune columnist Gordon Monson leads a discussion with Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, and Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017.

Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune

Utah Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey, makes a comment during a discussion with Salt Lake Tribune columnist Gordon Monson, and Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017.

Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune

Tribune columnist Gordon Monson leads a discussion with Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017.

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Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune Matt Canham, Salt Lake Tribune senior managing editor, introduces Tribune columnist Gordon Monson, Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017. Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune Tribune columnist Gordon Monson leads a discussion with Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017. Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey, makes a comment during a discussion with Salt Lake Tribune columnist Gordon Monson, and Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017. Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune Tribune columnist Gordon Monson leads a discussion with Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017. Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey, makes a comment during a discussion with Salt Lake Tribune columnist Gordon Monson, and Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017. Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey, makes a comment during a discussion with Salt Lake Tribune columnist Gordon Monson, and Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017. Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune Tribune columnist Gordon Monson leads a discussion with Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, and Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017. Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey, makes a comment during a discussion with Salt Lake Tribune columnist Gordon Monson, and Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017. Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune Tribune columnist Gordon Monson leads a discussion with Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, and Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017. Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune Tribune columnist Gordon Monson leads a discussion with Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, and Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017. Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey, makes a comment during a discussion with Salt Lake Tribune columnist Gordon Monson, and Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017. Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune Tribune columnist Gordon Monson leads a discussion with Utah Jazz President Steve Starks, during a "Back to the Playoffs" discussion sponsored by the Tribune, at the Gateway Megaplex Theaters, April 11, 2017.

The Salt Lake Tribune

· April 12, 2017 12:10 am

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

To commemorate the Utah Jazz's return to the NBA playoffs after a five-year absence, The Salt Lake Tribune hosted a celebration with Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey and team President Steve Starks.

Tribune columnist Gordon Monson hosted the "Back to the Playoffs" discussion with Lindsey and Starks at the Gateway Megaplex Theatre in downtown Salt Lake City.

Lindsey is one of the principal architects in the Jazz's return to the postseason. The former San Antonio Spurs assistant general manager was hired by the Jazz in 2012 to succeed longtime Utah GM Kevin O'Connor. Lindsey and his staff stripped the Jazz down to the chassis, parting ways with proven veterans such as Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson for salary cap flexibility. He hired Quin Snyder in 2015 to coach what in short order would become the youngest team in the NBA — but one with a roster of budding stars in Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, Rudy Gobert and Rodney Hood.

On the floor, the Jazz finished 43-39 in Lindsey's first season, then dipped to 25-57 the following year as the rebuild took full effect. Since then the team has gone 38-44, 40-42 and its current 48-30, clinching a postseason berth on March 26. Hayward has become an NBA All-Star and Gobert is a top contender for the league's defensive player of the year.

Starks, hired by the Jazz in 2015, has played a similar role on the business side of the Jazz's operation.

Officially the president of Larry H. Miller Sports and Entertainment, Starks is spearheading the $125 million renovation of Vivint Smart Home Arena, a project that has already produced the new, high-definition video board and will soon include, new, plush seating throughout the arena, a brand new entry way on the northeast plaza, improved wireless connections throughout the building, new premium seating and an extensive expansion of the arena's dining, drinking and merchandising operations.