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HOUSTON — The Utah Jazz have been the worst team in the league since the trade deadline, but it's actually not that close. Since the deadline moved, the Jazz have the worst record in the league and the worst defensive rating by a wide margin.
That defense was on full display in Houston as well. The Rockets scored 85 points and made 27 3-pointers in the first half, but it felt like things could have been worse than the final score of 147-119.
There are 11 games left in the season, will he play at all?
For Jazz coach Will Hardy, the answer is simple.
“When you go into halftime and you're down 30 points, it's hard to recover, but you've got to find that element within yourself, that pride,” Hardy said.
Essentially, that's what Jazz players have been asked to play since Feb. 8. Utah State made moves that made the situation worse. They sent in three rotation players, but the other one did not return. That handcuffed Hardy, lowered team morale, and the last six weeks have been the result.
Things are unlikely to improve in the final three weeks of the season.
The Jazz will likely work through some injuries, and at least no one will be rushed back, so it will be young kids and two-way players who will get the majority of the minutes. That will likely mean further results mirroring what happened in Houston.
Hardy doesn't want results to be dictated by effort or execution.
“We also have to recognize that all of this time is important,” Hardy said. “There's always someone watching, there's always something to play for. This is a business and they're trying to make a career for themselves, so every moment you get to play in an NBA game is precious. Those 'Never take any of them' for granted. There are a number of players currently out of the league who would be foaming at the mouth to play five minutes in an NBA game. ”
The Jazz coach said his players should realize that “nothing is guaranteed in this business” and should not be afraid to use the “selfish element” when necessary.
“We want our team to always be thinking about the Utah Jazz and fighting for the team, but there's also an element of selfishness that we want to take advantage of and say, 'I'm going to do my best every night to express myself. 'I want to be in this league, I want to make money, I want to support my family,''' Hardy said.
“Where you find inspiration is up to you, but it's important any time you step on the floor in the NBA.”
Even if it's the end of a lost and unforgettable season.
