The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz hire Mike Elliott, Eric Waters in training, sports science revamp

By Ryan Aston

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 15: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz is helped off the court past head coach Quin Snyder, by Boris Diaw #33 and medical staff during the first half against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on April 15, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 15: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz is helped off the court past head coach Quin Snyder, by Boris Diaw #33 and medical staff during the first half against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on April 15, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Utah Jazz have rebuilt their training and sports science staff, bringing in Mike Elliott as performance health care VP and Eric Waters as head trainer.

With their roster virtually set for the 2017-18 season, there’s been little to report on the Utah Jazz player movement front. However, the team continues to work toward improving itself in other areas to prepare for the upcoming year. Most recently with key additions to the training and sports science staff.

On Monday, the Jazz announced their decision to hire former Phoenix Suns performance director/strength coach Mike Elliott as Vice President of Performance Health Care. Two days later, they’ve found a new head athletic trainer in Eric Waters.

Waters previously served in the same role with the Washington Wizards and has been USA Basketball’s lead trainer since 2014.

The Jazz training staff has been a point for discussion among fans recently. By all accounts, Brian Zettler (who resigned as trainer following the 2017 NBA Playoffs) has been the consummate pro. Nevertheless, the Jazz have arguably been the most injured team in the NBA in recent years.

While the Utah’s injuries are likely a product of bad luck, as opposed to training staff deficiency, Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey and his team of decision-makers are clearly taking steps to help mitigate the issue. Elliott and Waters have each been recognized as elite trainers at the NBA level.

Following the 2013-14 season, Elliott was recognized as the league’s Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year. Moreover, the Suns athletic performance and training staff has been viewed as one of the Association’s best throughout his 14-year tenure in Phoenix.

During that time, Steve Nash captured consecutive MVP awards in his 30s, while Grant Hill and Shaquille O’Neal were largely able to stay effective and on the floor while pushing 40.

Meanwhile, Waters was named the NBA’s Athletic Trainer of the Year following the ’09-10 campaign.

Although the addition of Elliott and Waters won’t make waves on the blogosphere, it could pay dividends on the hardwood. Injuries have costed the Jazz dearly in back-to-back playoff races. If this training and sports science staff can help reduce the number of games lost to injury, it will equate to additional wins.

That could be the difference between sneaking into the playoffs in 2017-18 or finishing just shy of the West’s Top 8.

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The move is also another in a long line of hires that shows Utah’s commitment to organizational excellence.

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