Will Hardy sends stern message to Jazz after loss to Wolves

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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy did not mince phrases after his crew fell 119-100 to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday on the Delta Heart.

The Jazz have been tied at halftime however some egocentric offense morphed into some porous protection, and shortly the Wolves — led by outdated pal Mike Conley — ran away with the victory.

“There are 30 possessions you might level out the place there are a number of folks open and we’re simply forcing it,” Hardy mentioned.

Then he obtained a bit extra forceful in his message.

“Stats do not imply (expletive),” he added. “I do not care about your particular person stats. I do not care what number of factors you rating. I do not care what you put up on Instagram. It would not matter. It is a crew sport, you play to win.”

It was harking back to a message he despatched his crew earlier within the season when he mentioned: “For those who’re gonna put on a Jazz jersey, you need to give a (expletive) concerning the Utah Jazz.”

The message resonated on the time, and the Jazz went on a midseason turnaround on account of a “play onerous and cross” mantra. An analogous course correction is required as soon as once more; there wasn’t only one perpetrator on Saturday.

Keyonte George pressured appears to be like and was even taken out late within the sport after failing to execute a play after a timeout.

“I maintain Keyonte to a better normal,” Hardy mentioned. “And if he will be the way forward for this program, which is one thing that I feel he is able to being, he has to carry himself to that normal, as nicely.”

Brice Sensabaugh and Taylor Hendricks took fast pictures; Collin Sexton, even together with his 10 assists, obtained caught deep within the paint on a number of events; and Kris Dunn selected midrange jumpers over open teammates. It was a team-wide drawback.

“Now we have to nip this within the bud now,” Hardy mentioned. “As a result of I’ve mentioned this earlier than, and I am going to say it once more, there is not going to be free minutes on this program. And so that you’re both going to begin studying and you are going to begin enjoying the best means, and you are going to begin taking part along with your teammates, otherwise you’re not gonna play.”

George mentioned the “message is evident,” and the Jazz should know their schemes and be locked in “in any respect ranges.”

“Simply play tougher, that is the primary factor, it doesn’t matter what’s happening with your self,” George mentioned. “We gotta go forward and be professionals.”

Walker Kessler could not repeat among the issues Hardy advised the crew after the sport — some colourful language was possible used — however he summed it up by saying the crew has to “play with extra satisfaction” and to “cease complaining and on the lookout for an excuse.”

To Hardy, that begins with passing the ball.

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