With all of the injuries and lineup shuffling Jazz coach Quin Snyder has had to deal with this season, it is worth recognizing that Utah has a winning record despite the adversity, Randy Hollis of the Deseret News writes. George Hill, Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward, Boris Diaw, Rodney Hood and Alec Burks have all missed time at some point this season, as Hollis points out. In the middle of all of that, however, has been Hayward’s stellar play this season, Hollis adds. Snyder also said the Jazz very much miss Hill’s on-court leadership and are eager for his return, Hollis passes along.
Here’s more out of Utah:
- With all of the injuries, the bench that was projected to be one of the league’s best no longer exists because those reserve players have been forced into starting roles, Hollis surmises in a separate story. In particular, Hollis mentions Shelvin Mack, who has made an impact at the point guard position after injuries to George Hill and Dante Exum.
- Speaking of more wounded players, power forward Derrick Favors said he’s still making his way toward being 100 percent, after missing a chunk of games due to a knee contusion, Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune relays. Favors is rebounding well, but he is struggling to finish shots, Jones adds.