Hawks head coach Quin Snyder received a rousing ovation and a video tribute as he returned to Utah Friday night, writes Tony Jones of The Athletic. It was Snyder’s first time back at the Delta Center since parting ways with the Jazz following the 2021/22 season, and fans were eager to celebrate the success he had during his eight years as head coach.
“There were so many people here in Utah that me and my family came across that touched our lives,” Snyder said. “Those relationships are timeless for me, even if I’m not here. I have so much gratitude for the people that I worked here with and for, particularly Ryan Smith and Justin Zanik and Danny Ainge. So to come back here to Utah and be reminded of that brings a lot of emotion. But life is about change, and it’s about adapting, and we all have to do these things at some point.”
Jones notes that Snyder had to build a winning team from scratch after he took over the Jazz in 2014, and he’s still early in that process with Atlanta. The Hawks are holding onto the East’s final play-in spot at 29-37 in Snyder’s first full season, but they aren’t nearly where he wants them to be.
“I think we know that we have a lot of work to do, but that’s what makes it fun,” Snyder said. “The most important thing for us is to make sure that we improve each day and that we are doing the right things. We have to make sure that we have the right habits and then work from there.”
There’s more on the Hawks:
- Jalen Johnson, who returned Friday after missing three games with a sprained right ankle, is one of the few NBA players who spends the All-Star break training rather than relaxing, per Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. While most of the league is on vacation, Johnson undergoes an intense three-day workout in Los Angeles. “It lets you know how unsatisfied he is,” said his trainer, Chris Johnson. “He’s a starter now, he’s getting everything he wants, and he’s still unsatisfied. He has this desire to be the best version of himself. … Jalen Johnson is the next superstar in the making.”
- Rookie big man Mouhamed Gueye suffered an ulnar collateral ligament sprain to his right elbow/forearm area in a G League game this week, the Hawks announced (via Twitter). Gueye will undergo rehabilitation in Atlanta and will be reevaluated in seven-to-10 days.
- Second-year wing AJ Griffin has missed four straight G League games because of pain in his lower right leg and ankle, the team tweeted. He will be examined by the Hawks’ medical staff next week.
- Michael Cunningham of The Journal-Constitution (subscription required) argues that Trae Young should try to return from hand surgery if the Hawks are still in strong position for the play-in tournament when he’s healed, but that’s not a guarantee considering their recent performance. Young’s timeline has him set to be reevaluated in about a week.
These tribute videos for everyone and jersey swapping is making everyone soft. Everyone is paid so well they don’t have a competitive spirit but want to hug each other all game and after. Shoot 3s, watch me shoot and I’ll watch you shoot, 6 steps without dribbling, cry after every call, flopping etc etc . This era is the weakest. Thanks LeBron and GS for making this all happen
The irony of you calling everyone soft and crybabies while this is the 2nd paragraph long post I’ve read from you complaining about everyone else. I’ve read 2 stories and you’ve been on both just yapping your heart out.
Snyder made a big impact on the direction of the Jazz. He helped bring the Jazz into the modern era of the perimeter dominant play style. Those teams were fun to watch and won a lot of games.
But he’s right. Life is about adapting to constant change. Sometimes that means we have to change our surroundings to continue to grow.
The group he had and Snyder’s passion for those teams had reached their saturation point. Both sides were burnt out and ready for change. It’s not easy but it was the right thing to do.
I’m happy he’s found the joy in basketball again. I’m sure most Jazz fans wish him well. =)
I cannot disagree strongly enough with the idea of rushing trey back if the hawks make the playoffs.
Hawks have several players already out.
Historically fizzle out in the first round anyway, with much much better teams than this one.
And finish around .500 often and don’t get into the lottery draft.
Get players healthy for next season.