The J-Notes
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Reactions to Utah Jazz end of season player interviews

By Jared Woodcox

May 8, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) pats Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) and Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) on the back during the final minutes against the Golden State Warriors in game four of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) pats Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) and Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) on the back during the final minutes against the Golden State Warriors in game four of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 6, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) sits before the game against the Golden State Warriors in game three of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) sits before the game against the Golden State Warriors in game three of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

George Hill

Several Jazz fans have been critical of George Hill’s toe injury and the fact that he had to sit out multiple games this season including the final three games of the postseason. Of course, it’s hard to pass judgement without knowing exactly how much it hindered him, but Hill made it clear that playing on it in his current condition likely would have made him more of a detriment to the team than a help.

In terms of his injury moving forward though, it was great to hear that it won’t require surgery and that he feels he should be able to overcome it completely for next season without lingering effects. This year was undoubtedly a freak injury year for George who missed the most games of his career and if Jazz brass can realistically forecast that he’ll be healthier next season then they may be much more apt to re-sign him in free agency.

https://twitter.com/utahjazz/status/861983373002067968

Overall, I loved hearing how much Hill enjoyed playing with this Jazz team and to be quite honest it sounded as if he is excited at the prospect of staying put and wanting to work out an agreement with the Jazz. He did mention how close he and Hayward have become and that Hayward’s decision could very well affect his as well.

He went as far as to refer to Hayward as his little brother and I think most Jazz fans would agree that despite a few disappointments regarding Hill this season, if the key to keeping Hayward around is to re-sign Hill as well, that’s not a bad deal by any means. I truly think Hill is a great fit basketball-wise and from a culture standpoint, so if he can just stay healthy (as he has for much of his career) then it will be great to have him back once again next year.

Hill will be one of the guys that Jazz fans will be watching the closest this offseason and while money could end up playing a large factor in where he ends up, his end of season interview seemed to indicate that there is a very good chance that he and the Jazz will be able to come to an agreement that will keep him playing in Utah for years to come.

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