Jazz Fans Weigh In On Team’s Offseason Needs
Apr 26, 2019, 5:56 PM
Utah Jazz fans react as the Jazz are winning in the final minutes of Game 4 of the NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City on Monday, April 22, 2019. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
(Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – If fan input means anything to Utah Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey, he may want to check out the comments on KSL Sports’ Facebook page.
Just a couple of days after the Jazz’s season ended with a loss to the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of their first round playoff series, KSL Sports asked question on social media, “The position that the Utah Jazz need to upgrade the most this summer is (blank).”
The comments came pouring in with a multitude of different answers.
Fans Like Kemba Walker
Jazz fan Matt Springer was the most outspoken of Utah’s need to improve the point guard play, citing Ricky Rubio’s inability to make an important shot at the end of Game 5.
Springer wrote: “Had Ricky hit that three, the Jazz would have been up two, with a minute to go. I know the whole game didn’t come down to that one play, but in such situations…in the waning minutes of a tight playoff game in the fourth quarter… do we really want it coming down to Rubio hitting that kind of a shot? (which he air balled) They need someone who can legitimately knock down those kind of pressure shots, in those situations.”
Rubio himself, acknowledged that he missed a critical shot in the season-ending loss. With his contract now finished, he’ll be hitting the free agent market and isn’t sure if he’ll be returning to Utah or be playing elsewhere next season.
Jazz fans were there to greet the players after their return from Houston. And it meant a lot.
"I'm 100% sure we've got the best fans." #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/9ys82pxcjb
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 26, 2019
The solution in Springer’s mind is All-Star guard Kemba Walker, who has been with the Charlotte Hornets since 2011.
Springer wasn’t the only one who voiced his desire for the Jazz to land Walker.
Shooting Must Improve
Other fans, including KSL Sports’ Tom Hackett, felt that landing a stretch four, or a big man that can shoot from deep, may be in the Jazz’s best interest during the offseason.
In his exit interview with the media, Lindsey acknowledged that acquiring better shooters will be priority for Utah as the Jazz’s struggles to make open shots was major factor in their first-round exit from the playoffs.
According to Jazz fans, improved shooting and stronger backcourt play will be key to making the team better before next season rolls around.
The NBA free agency period will begin July 1 at 12:01 a.m. ET.
