Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
In what was a must-win game the Utah Jazz couldn’t sustain enough of an effort to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, losing in disappointing fashion to the Memphis Grizzlies.
The same issues that plagued the Jazz all season were painfully evident in the final game on their schedule. Shooting 32.1% from the field and having just one player — Al Jefferson — in double figures. Scoring 70 points as a team in the most important game of the season wont cut it.
The Jazz were without a true star player to take over when the game slows down and gets into crunch time. Jefferson is a fine offensive player, but he’s more suited for a complementary role than a starring one. Gordon Hayward has skills, but not enough to create a basket when the pressure is on.
Utah has a lot of cap space, but it’s not the most attractive destination for big free agents, so missing the playoffs may be a bit of a blessing in disguise The Jazz have always secured their talent through the draft and will most likely need to do the same going forward.
Will Mo Williams set to hit free agency and possibly on the way out the Jazz should seriously consider drafting whichever point guard is available, wherever they land in the lottery. Michael Carter-Williams from Syracuse may be a good option for the Jazz to add to their young core of Hayward, Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter, especially with phenom Marcus Smart choosing to return to school.
The Jazz will be in a bit of a rebuilding period next season, so they should focus on improving in key areas instead of hanging their heads over their missed opportunity this year.
