Will Hardy Critiques Jazz’s Performance After Loss to Suns

The Utah Jazz suffered a disappointing defeat against the Phoenix Suns, losing 96-118 in their first outing of the NBA Cup on October 30, 2023. The team struggled to find their rhythm throughout the game, particularly on the offensive end, which led to their third loss of the season. Head coach Will Hardy did not hold back in his assessment of the team’s performance, emphasizing a critical lack of effort and intensity.

“The game was decided in the first quarter. I thought our effort and intensity to start the game was pathetic,” Hardy stated following the game. He noted that the Jazz lacked the necessary humility and hunger during crucial moments. “The first game of the year warped our brains into us thinking that we’re something that we’re not.”

As Hardy enters his fourth season with the Jazz, he is aware of the potential within his roster, which features a mix of young talents and seasoned veterans, including All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen. Despite the team’s developmental stage, Hardy made it clear that he will not excuse a lack of effort.

“We are a group that is playing a lot of young players. We have a few veteran players sprinkled in,” he explained. “But we need to have that hunger and humility every single day. I will poke and prod until I find people that want to play hard.”

The game was particularly challenging for the Jazz, who managed only 17 points in the first quarter and committed 21 turnovers. Hardy highlighted that such mistakes, coupled with an absence of intensity, created an uphill battle for the young team. “When the intensity isn’t there to keep up with those shortcomings, the night can turn ugly quickly,” he said.

While the focus is on development for the Jazz, Hardy insists there must also be accountability when performances fall short. He remarked, “The word development gets misused a lot. We’re just here to get better every day. Every game day, we turn in the group project, and we see where we’re at.”

Hardy is unafraid to make tough decisions when it comes to player rotations. In the loss to the Suns, Kyle Filipowski played just 10 minutes as a starter, while Taylor Hendricks and Brice Sensabaugh saw limited action with only five minutes each. Conversely, players like Cody Williams and Elijah Harkless were given more minutes, with 15 and 12, respectively, showcasing Hardy’s emphasis on high energy and commitment.

Questions regarding his rotational choices are inevitable, but for Hardy, developing a competitive spirit among his players is paramount. “You can’t lose a five-minute segment of the game by 20 points and think that’s OK. This is our profession,” he asserted. “We have to find people who want to compete every single night.”

Despite the setbacks, Hardy remains optimistic about his team’s potential. “I still love this group. I still love these guys. But it’s my responsibility on game nights to find a group that’s going to play hard and execute what we want to do on both sides of the ball.”

The Jazz will need to rally and improve as they continue their campaign, focusing on building good habits to foster long-term success. As the season progresses, fans will be watching closely to see how Hardy navigates these early challenges and develops his young team.