Key #1 – Ignore the noise
The weeks and months leading up to the trade deadline are undoubtedly a turbulent time in the NBA, especially for teams that are expected to be heavy participants. Such isn’t typically the case for the usually conservative Utah Jazz, but this year it very well could be. There have been a number of rumors swirling around the Jazz, specifically regarding Derrick Favors, Rodney Hood, Alec Burks and Joe Johnson.
With that being so, many have speculated that perhaps the trade chatter is affecting the players both in the locker room and on the court. While it’s hard to prove such to be true, it definitely appeared that way in Monday’s devastating loss. The Jazz couldn’t find any kind of rhythm offensively and looked out of sync in pretty much every aspect of the game. Frustration is certainly building among the Jazz ranks and unclear trade speculation may be a part of that.
A look at trade rumors, the Utah Jazz, and how players are trying to get through a difficult three weeks until the deadline. The story, here - https://t.co/FAnhwgM2ta
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) January 18, 2018
Although this first key is clearly much easier said than done, if Utah is to find success against Detroit and in any of its games leading up to the trade deadline, it will be vital that they find a way to block out the noise and focus solely on executing and playing well. It has to be hard to stay motivated playing for a team that you know very well isn’t the one you’re going to be playing for in a few weeks, but for the betterment of the team and the prosperity of the individual every Jazzman will need to step up in a big way.
Energy, consistency and focus have all been big problems this entire season and head coach Quin Snyder’s sometimes mystifying rotations, which many have presumed have been used to “showcase” certain players, haven’t exactly helped matters either. As nice and as crucial as it would be if the Jazz could get out of their own heads and just play ball against Detroit and moving forward, there’s a pretty good chance that we won’t see a mentally focused squad until after the trade deadline.
Unfortunately, if Utah doesn’t find a way to get a few wins between then and now, any playoff push hopes that come with a potential deal may be crushed before they even have a proper chance to bloom.