“Why would the Jazz do that?”
That’s the question Brian Windhorst repeatedly threw out on ESPN’s First Take today. “Why would the Jazz do that?”
Why would the Jazz do … what?
Trade Royce O’Neale to the Nets for a future first-round pick?
He might have also asked, “Why would the Nets do that?”
He said the entire NBA was/is waiting to find out what is going on in Utah.
Because … something’s going on.
Windhorst’s unspoken insinuation is that the Jazz are up to something big.
He made the comparison between what Danny Ainge did in Boston when he hired first-time NBA head coach Brad Stevens to a long-term contract and traded Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to whatever it is Ainge is doing in Utah, after Quin Snyder left and first-time head coach Will Hardy was signed to a … yeah, longterm contract.
Would Ainge have the cojones to duplicate the other part of his action with the Celtics, namely trade both Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell?
And rebuild with whatever he could get in return, be it draft picks or new-to-this-market stars?
Danny Freakin’ Ainge.
Never doubt a man who once bit Tree Rollins’ finger during a game. (I know, I know, it was Rollins who bit Ainge, but nobody seems to remember it that way.)
Hmmm.
Why would the Jazz do that? All the executives around the league are doing what they never do, what no one around the NBA does — paying close attention to, having a deep interest in, waiting to see what’s going to happen in Utah.
It’s almost as though if nothing happens, all the air will be let out of the balloon here.
But something has to happen because the Jazz have sent packing all their wings, which is the most-coveted position in all of basketball now. Remember when that most-important designation used to be reserved for point guards and centers?
Well, not anymore.
It’s wings — and the Jazz have virtually none.
That simply cannot stand, at least not over the longer haul, not if the Jazz are actually interested in winning. They need athletic shooters/defenders. That’s not optional at the top end of today’s NBA. It’s a must-have.
Not that the Jazz already had athletic wings in the fold. But now they don’t have hardly any wings. Wings make you fly.
And the Jazz are grounded.
Why would the Jazz do that? Why?
Another question is, then, how will Jazz fans react if the team goes into rebuild mode? If it doesn’t go into full rebuild mode, how will they react to a major rearrangement? To new stars? To a new style of play?
That’s a much bigger deal than changing the team’s colors, and everybody saw how that went over.
Did Ainge take a look at what was happening here and decide there is no way forward for the Jazz with the combination of Mitchell and Gobert? All of those early-round playoff losses being his evidence? Did he not like the vibe, the team culture, the attitude or ability of his top guys, especially as the team was in the luxury realm?
What’s going on in Utah?
Something. That’s the most complete answer anybody has right now.
Maybe something big. Maybe something franchise-altering.
Windhorst’s monologue went on for two minutes, everyone around the table captivated by his question(s). If you haven’t seen that clip, check it out online.
Brian Windhorst just ran the First Take desk in circles. They were hanging on his every word for 2+ minutes 😂😂. Absolute masterclass. pic.twitter.com/Q1vn6mD9iz
— Commissioner Cheah (@StevenCheah) July 1, 2022
Every Jazz fan should see it.
And wonder about the mystery, just like team executives all around the league.
Why would the Jazz do that?
Better to wonder about them than to ignore them.
And for the first time in a long time, the focus is here.
from The Salt Lake Tribune https://ift.tt/LUihsQz
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