The Utah Jazz's start has definitely gone about as poorly as anyone would have dreaded. Losing 12 of your first 13 games is a problem, regardless of what conference you play in. The Jazz had hoped things would go the other way, but the season has continued to go south with each passing loss.
The injuries have been bad - and have just gotten worse following confirmation that Jaxson Hayes is now out because of his knee injury - which has gotten in the Jazz's way. However, because those injuries have been to Utah's veterans, their youngsters have gotten more time. In so doing, they've been able to shine despite the losses.
And when we say youngsters, we're talking about primarily Ace Bailey, Keyonte George, and Darryn Peterson. Everyone knew coming into the season that they were the crown jewels of the Jazz's youth movement, but because Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. have gone down for an extended period, the aforementioned trio of youngsters have gotten the chance to prove just how good they are.
Well, not only have those three proven that Utah is right to believe in them - again, despite all the losing - but they have also proven how well they play together.
George, Bailey, and Peterson all fit together
Jazz.com's Eric Spyropoulos revealed that the trio of Bailey, George, and Peterson share a three-man net rating of plus-5.9, meaning that the Jazz are actually good when those three are on the floor. That is a massive development, win or lose.
It's one thing for a team to stockpile a bunch of young talent, but getting young players who have already shown how well they play together is a big stepping stone towards a wonderful future. The Jazz may have wanted to see some wins by their name, and they definitely wish the losing would stop, but the big takeaway long term is their future is far from hopeless.
It doesn't change the fact that their present is very much in shambles at the moment, but at least they know that their future is set for years to come. They won't reap the rewards from it for some time, but at least the seeds are fertilizing.
In a way, it does make it more frustrating that the Jazz can't develop these guys and win at the same time. if they could just do that, it would make their chemistry feel much better. These are sadly the results of a young team only beginning their winning habits when everyone wanted to see the Jazz's winning habits surface now.
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