6) Lack of Toughness
Jazz radio commentator David Locke had an interesting tweet recently concerning the team’s ability (or lack thereof) to gut it out in the clutch–
20 of the Jazz 31 losses were games that were within 5 points with 5 minutes left.
— David Locke (@DLocke09) March 1, 2016
*Make that 21 of 33 losses.
I’ve written about this ad nauseam, yet here we are. Time and time again, the Utah Jazz face get punched in the mouth and the result is another check in the loss column. That and they simply can’t close games.
This is due to a lack of killer instinct—a blood relative to both physical and mental toughness. If the Jazz want to finally get over the hump and become a perennial contender, they’ve got to learn how to punch back and win close games.
Next: No. 7: No Closer