Justin Zanik: There’s gonna be a number of alternatives for younger guys to play
Utah Jazz basic supervisor Justin Zanik feels excited concerning the roster’s younger gamers embracing totally different roles this season.
(through Utah Jazz):
“I believe one factor that’s necessary to notice this 12 months is within the earlier couple years we’ve had an enormous disparity of our younger incoming gamers and rookies not being fairly prepared. For instance, Brice [Sensabaugh] and Taylor [Hendricks] being injured in the summertime, slightly bit extra of slower impression. We’ve had extra veterans prior to now, two years in the past. I believe what’s totally different this 12 months is that we’re beginning to construct a extremely good depth base, they simply occur to be actually younger. So as a substitute of getting three guys which can be rookies, now we have seven guys now underneath the age of 23. I believe there’s going to be alternatives the place it’s gonna look totally different. Now, we nonetheless have coaching camp. I can’t sit right here and inform you who’s gonna play, who’s not gonna play, however our progress is gonna come from creating our expertise base in order that we will win extra video games now and sooner or later. That doesn’t occur in a single day, however what’s necessary about improvement is enjoying. So that you additionally know that in an 82 sport season numerous stuff can change. There’s accidents, there’s stuff, and I’m truly blissful that now we have a deep roster, however I believe there’s gonna be a number of alternatives for extra younger guys to play this 12 months as a result of we merely have extra younger guys as a part of our rotation.
“So it’s gonna look totally different and I believe it may look totally different from game-to-game relying on matchups and what’s occurring. I’m tremendous enthusiastic about this season, but it surely’s additionally one other wrinkle of why you’re excited. You’re gonna see totally different gamers in numerous roles at totally different occasions, and the way they reply isn’t gonna be some sizzling take of whether or not a man can play or not play. All of those information factors that we’re speaking about of, ‘OK, the place do they should get higher? The place do they should focus? How did they study that lesson?’ I’ll provide you with an instance final 12 months when Taylor Hendricks was enjoying on the finish of the 12 months: Will [Hardy] had him actually guarding the perfect perimeter participant. I believe he went on a three-game stretch from guarding Kevin Durant to Jimmy Butler to Devin Booker or no matter, that was big for his progress going into the summer season. I believe these classes that we’re capable of impart and play whereas we’re nonetheless having inside competitors the place we’re gonna have a number of guys enjoying is large for your complete group, and I’m excited to see how that performs out.”
