NBA news: Utah Jazz lose three straight
Ever since Jerry Sloan resigned on that fateful day of Thursday, 11 February 2011, the Utah Jazz has been struggling. Utah has stumbled ever since their former coach, who was with them for 23 years resigned.
They have lost three straight, two against Phoenix Suns, and one against the Golden State Warriors.
Utah clashed with the Phoenix Suns right after Sloan stepped down as their interim coach. They lost the game but defended well in the first half. They failed to make an impact in the later half and collapsed against the Suns, 95-83 at home.
The new coach, Tyrone Corbin, said afterwards, "We ran out of gas. I mean, I don't know if it was emotions in the first half, when we showed up for the game, but the second half we just got away from everything we were doing".
They stumbled once again four days later in an encounter with the same team, this time by just one-point, 102-101. So, here arises a situation that will make people and even Jazz fans think as to why the team let their respectable coach walk away?
Utah’s players have been faltering in their efforts and they are not showing the same energy that they showed under the coaching of Sloan. They might be under emotional and mental strain and that might be the reason why they missed important shots.
Sloan was one of the most respectable coaches of the NBA and he had kept the team up with his interim guidance. He may not have won NBA’s coach of the year award or any other important title but he made a place in the hearts of many with his manners and
with the 37 years of dedication to the NBA.
Jazz’s opponent teams have exploited them by taking runs against the titans. In their second straight matchup with the Phoenix Suns, Utah had an 89-81 lead, but the Suns pushed an 11-0 run against them and stood victorious at the end.
Although, the team had lost 10 out of their 14 games when Sloan was with them, this time they have lost three straight and this must be a very hard thing for them to digest.
Even Channing Frye made a season high 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against Utah. The player in their 15 February matchup drained six 3-pointers and had five of them in the first quarter alone.
When it came to facing the Golden State Warriors on 16 February, once again the Jazz couldn’t resist them. Utah Jazz have been low on energy and they are still under stress. They lost a huge game to the Warriors, 107-101, in a game dominated by Monta Ellis.
Utah’s players are still under pressure and they need a break. Slowly and gradually they will come out of this phase and then they might break the ice surrounding them and return to their winning ways.
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