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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Jazz knew they wouldn’t be in the playoffs before they even tipped off with the Lakers last night in Los Angeles.
They still tried to finish off the season with a win. Instead, they were part of Kobe Bryant’s magical moment in his 60-point final game.
“He was one of my favorite players growing up,” said Jazz guard Rodney Hood of Bryant. “After the game, you felt a little bit embarrassed because we lost the game.
“But that’s a great way (for Bryant) to go out. He’s one of the legendary players, and it’s something I’ll always remember.”
After losing to the Lakers and Bryant’s 60-point-on-50-shot effort, the Jazz left the floor knowing they had a playoff spot in their grasp before losing four of the final five games of the regular season.
“I’m obviously disappointed,” said team leader Gordon Hayward, who averaged 19.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for the Jazz. “I came into the season with a lot of expectations of making the playoffs. I would’ve rather been doing this later in the summer.”
Three of those losses came at home, in the friendly confines of Vivint Arena, too.
“It’s definitely heartbreaking,” said Derrick Favors, who averaged 16.4 points and 8.1 rebounds for the Jazz. “With the way the playoff race was set up with us, Dallas and Houston, it was heartbreaking. I know a lot of guys took it kind of hard; I know I did.
“It gives us something to look forward to and work on in the offseason.”
Now, what do the Jazz have to do to clinch a playoff spot, and not just be a contender?
“For me, it would be ball security and turnover percentage; I think we are in the bottom five,“ Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey said. “A shot is better than no shot.”
