Patrick Kinahan: Despite sweep, Jazz find success this season


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SALT LAKE CITY — In situations like these, following the obvious one-sided nature of a four-game sweep in the playoffs, it is time to gain some perspective.

Even though it ended poorly, as expected against probably the best team in the NBA, the Jazz had an excellent season.

“There’s been an arc to the season,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. “From where we started, we’re further along.”

The undeniable truth is the Jazz were not nearly as good as the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors will advance to the Western Conference finals for the third consecutive year while the Jazz are done for the 2016-17 season.

In reality, especially with point guard George Hill sitting out his third consecutive game with a months-long lingering toe injury, the Jazz never had a chance to beat the Warriors in the best-of-seven series. Not that this is breaking news, considering when superstar Kevin Durant joined the team after leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder last summer the Warriors were immediately the heavy favorite to play in their third consecutive NBA Finals.

Good luck to Durant and fellow league MVP Steph Curry, who have teamed with Klay Thompson and Draymond Green to form the All-Star-studded super team. LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are probably the only team that stands between the Warriors and Durant’s bandwagon NBA championship.

Now back to the Jazz, who limped into the offseason by failing to play competitively in three of the four games against the Warriors. But in the end, the Jazz season is the story rather than this series.

“The whole idea is to keep growing and stay committed,” Snyder said. “Our guys have done it.”

By any measure, accounting for a season-long stretch of injuries, this season was a smashing success. For the first time in nearly a decade, the team has a solid foundation on which to build.

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If all goes according to plan, looking back, the Jazz hope this was the season to start a string of playoff runs. All this assumes, of course, that Gordon Hayward re-signs with the team.

“I think we gained valuable experiences that will make us better as players moving forward,” Hayward said. “For us to still have the season that we did, I think it says a lot about our character. It says a lot about us as people. We’re fighters.”

The Jazz began the season hoping to break a five-year streak without making the postseason. That hope became actuality after the Jazz won 51 games, which resulted in getting the No. 5 seed in the West.

The next goal was to win a playoff series, a mark the Jazz last accomplished seven years ago. Despite winning only one game at home, the Jazz managed to win three games in Los Angeles — including Game 7 — to beat the Clippers.

Going into the offseason, several major decisions await the team. General manager Dennis Lindsey and the Miller family will no doubt throw the bank at Hayward, who then must decide if he wants to continue his seven-year investment with the franchise or seek a fresh start elsewhere. No shortage of suitors will pursue the emerging all-star.

As the Game 4 and the season came to a close, Jazz fans inside the arena chanted his name. Afterward, Hayward expressed his appreciation for the love and support.

“That was really cool,” Hayward said. “I’ve done a lot of growing up here in Salt Lake City. For them to stick with me and stick with us through the downs that we’ve had, it means a lot. I have nothing but love for this community and so that was pretty special.”

Acquired in a trade last summer, Hill also is free to sign with another team. When healthy, which was rarely, Hill made a significant difference on the previously point guard-weak team.

But fans — and to some degree, management — grew frustrated with Hill’s inability to stay in the lineup. Either way, the Jazz must have a player of Hill’s ability on the roster next season.

Check back next October. An interesting summer awaits.


About the Author: Patrick Kinahan \---------------------------------

Patrick is a radio host for 97.5/1280 The Zone and the Zone Sports Network. He, along with David James, are on the air Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

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