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NEW YORK CITY — At least there will be some good eating.
If you can think of anything else good about an 11-day, six-game road trip that has the Jazz literally going from sea to shining sea, coach Quin Snyder would like to hear about it.
"You got any?" Snyder questioned back when asked whether there were any positives of such a trip at this point of the season. "I'd be happy for some optimism."
When the collective media group shook their heads back, he pointed out the one clear benefit from traversing the country.
"We're going to some cities with some great restaurants," Snyder said.
Hey, at least that's something.
The Jazz embarked on their longest road trip of the season, game wise, on Saturday when they boarded a plane and headed to New York City. And when it comes to miles traveled, well, they haven't really ever seen anything like it. The trip began with a win Sunday in New York over the Knicks and won't end until next Tuesday in Los Angeles — making it truly a coast-to-coast trip.
Between the coastal games, they'll also hit Brooklyn, Boston, Charlotte and Dallas — making it a mini tour of America.
"This is the craziest road trip that I've been on," Jordan Clarkson said.
But crazy can sometimes be good, right? So Clarkson must think there is some good that can come out of such a taxing journey.
Or not.
"Hell no," he said with a laugh.
When asked how he prepared for the road trip, the ever-fashionable Clarkson said he packed two big suitcases because "I like to get my outfits." Mentally, he said, the best way to handle things is to take it for what it is and just go out and compete.
"I think we are looking at each one of these games as must wins for us," Clarkson said. "The level of focus is super high. ... We want to win. We want to take all the wins this road trip and go back home feeling good."
After a few more moments to think about it, Snyder admitted — or maybe he just pretended — that there could be some added benefits of the trip. He has said all year that he wants the Jazz to be at their best at the end of the year. Facing playoff-caliber squads on the road, (five of the six teams Utah will play are currently in a position to at least make the play-in game) can force a team to raise its level.
And considering Utah is not fully healthy — rotation players Bojan Bogdanovic, Danuel House Jr. and Trent Forrest all missed Sunday's win with injuries — there will be added chances for growth for other players that could help in the long run.
"When we got on the road and found adversity, whether it be internal or your opponent, I think there's opportunity there," Snyder said. "Playing against teams that are high-level teams in difficult environments has a way of kind of focusing you. Even if you're not successful on the scoreboard, I think there's usually things that you can take from it."
But if nothing else, there will be some good food.
"Nah, man. There's nothing," Clarkson said. "Maybe some good restaurants."
