It's stupid to ignore the fact we lost a huge piece. You can admit today sucks and still be a Jazz fan.
The only way I look back at today and laugh is if we win a championship any time soon. And I don't see it happening. I think that any chance we had of a championship with this core group ended up on route to Boston today. Because of our roster and cap situation I don't see any way that we acquire two star players before Rudy either leaves or is no longer in his prime. Especially if the Jazz are unwilling to retool the roster right now. I think today set us back 10 years. 4 years until a rebuild begins and 5-6 more years after until we reap the rewards of that rebuild. I hope I'm wrong though.
I actually became a fan of the Jazz at the start of Hayward's rookie season, so it'll be weird for me watching without him. Still, I'll be just as excited, and just as invested in every game. I look forward to watching the rise of our next all stars.
The only way I look back at today and laugh is if we win a championship any time soon. And I don't see it happening. I think that any chance we had of a championship with this core group ended up on route to Boston today. Because of our roster and cap situation I don't see any way that we acquire two star players before Rudy either leaves or is no longer in his prime. Especially if the Jazz are unwilling to retool the roster right now. I think today set us back 10 years. 4 years until a rebuild begins and 5-6 more years after until we reap the rewards of that rebuild. I hope I'm wrong though.
And the wonderful thing is as long as we have a good team I'm convinced Rudy will re-sign when his extension is up. After all, a guy who exclaims "these hoes ain't loyal" isn't gonna want to be a Hayward-ho.
We're going to see a loyalty theme this season, that's for certain.
This is the first time in franchise history the Jazz have been burned like this. I have no doubt how how this all went down will play into what they do with Rudy.
It's stupid to ignore the fact we lost a huge piece.
Rudy will re-up before it ever gets to that. Or if not he'll be man enough to quietly communicate it upfront to management.