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Utah Jazz at Golden State Warriors 12/27: Picking up the pieces

Tyler Crandall|
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 25: Kevin Durant #35 and Jordan Bell #2 of the Golden State Warriors slap hands after Durant blocked the shot of LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers late in the fouth quarter of an NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on December 25, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 25: Kevin Durant #35 and Jordan Bell #2 of the Golden State Warriors slap hands after Durant blocked the shot of LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers late in the fouth quarter of an NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on December 25, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Utah Jazz Boston Celtics
BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 15: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket on Ekpe Udoh #33 of the Utah Jazz during the game at TD Garden on December 15, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)

Key No. 2: Preserve “Elite Defense” identity

The Jazz were poised to come into this season as the absolute best defense in the league. We didn’t expect them to score, but the plan was to be one of the greatest defensive behemoths of all time.

That hasn’t happened yet. There have been flashes of the elite defense, but the identity hasn’t carried through many complete games, let alone stretches of games. We know the Jazz can’t be the top defense without Rudy Gobert, but this team should still be an above-average defense, potentially top 10.

Lately, they’ve been idle and bystander-ish on defense. This play really sums up the defensive effort —

The Jazz lack athleticism, and they will get beat at times, but the lack of effort is very disconcerting. They can’t continue this way if they want to beat the Warriors.

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