The Utah Jazz embarrass themselves again

It’s bad. The current level of basketball played on the Utah Jazz is just bad. There’s no ifs ands or buts. No way around it. No beating around the bush. No excuses. It’s just bad. Let me put it in context. The Oklahoma City Thunder:

• Have a losing record
• Were without 2 starters
• Played in Portland last night
• Were playing at altitude
• Have arguably a lot less to play for this year

And they played the Jazz right out of their own freaking gym. Absolutely embarrassed them off the court. This team seems like they are at a complete loss for answers right now. The offense can stagnate for minutes on end, which seems to lead to complete defensive meltdowns as well.

They’ve lost their identity and aren’t playing with any sort of urgency. The OKC Thunder came in and smacked them around because of it. Let’s hope that was a wakeup call for this roster. But if I’m being honest, I thought the Raptors and 76ers games might be a wakeup call. And then the Lakers game.

Rational Reaction

I don't know about you, but I have a hard time being rational after a game like that. Is there anything rational to take from that game? That was the worst loss of the season. I guess that’s my rational reaction. Back to the drawing board. Take a look in the mirror. Everyone needs to hold themselves accountable. You can throw any cliche saying out there, it probably applies here.

But seriously, please go back to the drawing board and figure this out. Pretty please.

Overreaction

The Jazz have the worst bench in the NBA. There will be a little more on this tomorrow. The starters deserve better than this. The starting 5 can play great minutes (not tonight) and they will be completely vanished by a few bench minutes. It’s getting overly predictable at this point. Like the Stockton and Malone pick and roll, you know what’s going to happen and there’s nothing you can do about.

Underreaction

Quin Snyder’s management of Dante Exum is questionable at best. Here are his minutes per game by year in the NBA:

• Rookie: 22.2
• Sophomore: 18.6
• 3rd Year: 16.8
• 4th Year: 15.8
• 5th Year: 7.6

Obviously health has played a role in that. But come one, you can’t tell me Exum is actually worse this year than he was as a rookie. He came in really late into the game and made a nice little impact. He played some good D, drove hard to the rim for a nice layup. Brought some nice energy. But one bad pass and bam he’s back on the bench after just a couple minutes of playing. How’s a kid supposed to play with any confidence or game sense if that’s always in the back of his head?

I’m not an owner of any real estate on Exum Island. If I’m being honest, I’ve never even visited the island. I wanted Aaron Gordon on draft night. But man, give the kid a chance!