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Tom Thibodeau At Utah Jazz Practice, First Roster Cuts

By Ryan Aston

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Mar 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau draws up a play during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated 101-91. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

During the second half of last season, the Utah Jazz developed a reputation as one of the best defensive clubs in the NBA. While expectations are high for more of the same in 2015-16, the team, head coach Quin Snyder and his staff have much to do to ensure defensive success.

Enter the league’s resident defensive guru.

For the second day in a row, former Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau was snapped at Utah Jazz practice, lending his expertise on the subject to players and coaches–

Thibodeau was the 2011 NBA Coach of the Year and the architect of a Bulls front that finished in the top five in defensive rating for four straight years and led the league in that department in 2011 and 2012. His defensive acumen also helped the Boston Celtics win the NBA championship in 2008.

In addition to participating in practice, Thibodeau attended the team’s preseason home opener against the Portland Trail Blazers with Jerry Sloan on Monday.

The former Bulls coach is cut from the Pat Riley/Van Gundy cloth and offers a wealth of experience in coaching hard-nosed, defensive-minded basketball. In addition to working with Jeff Van Gundy in Houston (following their stint with the New York Knicks), Thibodeau also worked with current Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey.

As he did with his visit with Pete Carroll at Seattle Seahawks training camp this summer, Coach Snyder continues to show a refreshing willingness to consider multiple viewpoints in running the team. The second-year coach will undoubtedly benefit from an exchange of ideas with Thibodeau.

Thibodeau’s Bulls teams perpetually overachieved in the face of adversity. Perhaps his time in Salt Lake City can help the Jazz do the same in the absence of starting point guard Dante Exum. If Thibodeau knows anything, it’s how to weather the storm following a devastating injury to a talented young guard.

Utah Jazz Waive Jack Cooley, J.J. O’Brien

It pains me to write this–it’s taken me nearly 24 hours to do so, but it must be done. The Jazz waived big man Jack Cooley on Tuesday. Although the move was widely expected, it stings somewhat for Jazz fans like myself that became enamored with the 24-year-old’s gritty play and lunch pail mentality.

Former University of Utah and San Diego State wing J.J. O’Brien was also waived, bringing the Jazz roster down to 18–

Is it just me, or does “Best of luck, fellas” seem out of sync with the situation?

Cooley appeared in two of Utah’s four preseason games in limited action. He also played in 16 games for the Jazz last season, in addition to multiple summer league stints. Personally, I had hoped the team would retain him following last season’s conclusion. However, Cooley’s days as a Jazzman were numbered with the acquisition of both Tibor Pleiss and Trey Lyles early this summer.

While Cooley was a fan favorite, he was also popular with his teammates and coaches. After the news came down on Tuesday, the big man offered these kind words for his former Jazz family–

Unfortunately, decisions like this will become more common as the Jazz transcend the role of a rebuilding team and look to climb the standings in the Western Conference.

Cooley may have fallen prey to the numbers game here in Utah, but undoubtedly possesses a toughness that would prove valuable on a litany of NBA rosters. I know my thoughts will be with him and O’Brien as they continue to pursue the NBA dream.

Next: Utah Jazz Shooting Woes: Fatigue or Rust?

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