Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — With the ultimate goal in mind, the Jazz completed a season that can’t be deemed anything other than a disappointment.
The aforementioned top priority varies depending on each team’s circumstance. It’s championship or bust for a team with the caliber of the Miami Heat. For the Jazz, without a premiere player, the playoffs were the primary achievement this season.
At 43-39, the Jazz finished one spot out of the playoffs. Hence, 2012-13 goes down as inadequate.
Don’t bother, as some may do, to spin it any other way. The players don’t want to hear it.
One year ago, in a lockout-shortened season, the Jazz were a surprise in finishing six games more than .500 and making the playoffs. Most of the offseason moves were thought to have improved the team for this season.
I thought we underperformed with the talent we had on the team
–Gordon Hayward
“I thought we underperformed with the talent we had on the team,” said swingman Gordon Hayward. “It was an up and down season.”
“I felt as though we were definitely going to make it to the playoffs,” said guard Randy Foye.
“Overall, it was an OK season,” said guard Mo Williams. “The only reason I say OK is we didn’t make the playoffs.”
Ultimately, as it is with every team in this situation, the Jazz weren’t good enough. Professional sports are a bottom-line business. In other words, don’t make excuses.
The easy way out is to point to injuries. Losing their starting point guard to more than one-third of the season obviously didn’t advance the cause.
But the problem is nobody cares. Every season, without exception, injuries decimate several teams. In a form of obvious logic, those teams aren’t good enough to overcome injuries.
As unfulfilling as the season was, there were a few positives. They mainly involve the young nucleus, known as the core four.
"it's time to follow the lead of the team's late owner, the one-of-a-kind Larry H. Miller, and make a risky business decision. You know the old boss would love it."
To varying degrees, Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, Alec Burks and Hayward all proved they belong in the NBA. The level they reach over the next few seasons likely will determine the franchise’s immediate future.
For many, including here, the future can’t come soon enough. Now is the time to unleash this quartet, by letting them play significant minutes and through the inevitable mistakes.
A three-year veteran, Hayward already is playing starter minutes, averaging a fourth-best 29.2 minutes per game. But it’s more than merely time spent on the court for him.
For Hayward to flourish, he needs to command a leadership role on the team. Although it doesn’t necessarily need to be reflected by the number of shot attempts, he has to be more assertive in attitude and play.
To this end, Jazz management would be best served to let go of offensively oriented veterans. The presence of Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Williams has made Hayward reluctant to take charge. It’s time he stops deferring.
With season over, Utah Jazz front office suits up
It would appear that the team has an interesting challenge ahead — building a whole new roster. Can Spurs import Dennis Lindsey establish his vision of a winning basketball team during the offseason?In an interview with 1280-AM and 97.5-FM The Zone on locker-cleanout day, Hayward said he envisions being an All-Star in the near future. To achieve this goal, he needs to play like he did in college, never taking a backseat to anyone in leading Butler to within one basket of beating Duke for the national championship.
The same goes for Favors, who averaged 23.2 minutes a game. For comparison’s sake, Marvin Williams averaged slightly more playing time. The NBA should investigate if this ever happens again.
Favors doesn’t yet possess the scoring ability of Jefferson, and he may never get there, but the Jazz can’t allow him to spend another season getting part-time minutes off the bench. Already a dominant force on defense, Favors has a great chance to become the second best big man in Jazz history.
Coach Ty Corbin has challenged Favors to defend in the manner of Tyson Chandler and Kevin Garnett. He won’t do it sitting on the sidelines.
Kanter and Burks haven’t reached the stature of the other two, but there’s no reason to also stall their development another season. The worst that can happen by playing the core four extensively is the Jazz lose games and don’t make the playoffs. Sound familiar?
This doesn’t mean management has to kick the free agent veterans to the curb. The old guard, particularly Jefferson, possess value in this league.
But it’s time to follow the lead of the team’s late owner, the one-of-a-kind Larry H. Miller, and make a risky business decision. You know the old boss would love it.
