When the Utah Jazz blew it up in 2022, it became easy to root for the players that made up the foundation of their playoff teams. Between Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, Mike Conley Jr., Joe Ingles, Bojan Bogdanovic, and I'll even throw in Jordan Clarkson for good measure, Jazz fans not only rooted for them but did so knowing they wouldn't get in the way of Utah's tank.
But now, it's different. The Jazz's plans have done a 180. While it's hard to say if Utah is right there among the title contenders - getting rid of Walker Kessler hurts them in that regard - but now they have every intention to win as many games as possible.
That means that every single of these alumni who currently play in the NBA who plays for a competitor is now the enemy. By extension though, that also means every Jazz alum who won't be in the Jazz's way is also easier to root for. Taylor Hendricks fits that description.
Now part of the Memphis Grizzlies, Hendricks is a former Jazz lottery pick who helped reel in Jaren Jackson Jr., sure, but he was also easy to root fot both before and after the trade because of that awful leg injury he suffered not too long into his sophomore year.
Those kind of injuries can change the trajectories of careers, especially young ones whose appeal stem from their raw potential like Hendricks. Because of what's happened, because he honestly is in a much better situation for himself in Memphis, and because they likely won't be in the Jazz's way for some time, Hendricks is the easiest ex-Jazzman to root for.
Hendricks likely wouldn't have gotten as many opportunities if he had stayed in Utah. Not just because he got hurt, but because of how many big men were in their rotation. So his fresh start in Memphis was something he definitely deserves after everything he has been through.
Hendricks looked like he was figuring himself out in Memphis
After the JJJ trade, Hendricks started putting up some numbers, including a career-high 10.3 points per game while shooting 46.3% from the field and 34.2% from three while averaging 8.7 shot attempts a game. It wasn't immediate, but Hendricks showed glimpses of the player Utah envisioned when they took him No. 9 over all in 2023.
Believe it or not, it's kind of hard to figure out what the Grizzlies' plan is this season, but they are positioned to be ready for just about anything. That includes allowing Hendricks to spread his legs as much as he wants. He might not be a perennial All-Star in the making, but there's a good chance he could be a game-changer. If he does, the Jazz will be happy to see him prove them right.
While the days of rooting for Mitchell and Gobert are gone and likely for the rest of their careers, pending any future reunions with the Jazz, rooting for Hendricks will be alive and well, though with how well-positioned the Grizzlies are, that may not be for long.
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