Watson hit the nail on the head

[Darkwing Duck]

...with this statement. From the Trib.

https://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsjazznotes/51484624-62/team-didn-game-lost.html.csp

Watson on the state of team: I think our expectations from the beginning was to win the West. I never lost faith in that no matter what happened. Adversity reveals a lot of character in a team. And if you can't get through adversity, you can't really win the West. If you're fragile, you're not going to have a successful year. You're not going to do the things you set out to do.

Take a punch to the mouth, especially with Williams gone, and the team folds. Before, the Jazz lost focus but could regain it and make rousing comebacks. Now they're done if the opposing team is playing harder. They're not responding. They're fragile.

Pinpointing why is not something professionals are going to say to the media. We fans have to assume based on cryptic words they use. But I think that's something the Jazz MUST address in the off season. I know many, if not most, posters here think Kirilenko fits this category of mental fragility, and I'm not going to argue that one way or another, but if the front office thinks that, or anyone on the team, for that matter, that player needs to go/not be resigned.

 

[fallenchicken]

Watson could have been the REAL veteran leader on this team.

 

[Jean-Luc]

I would blame Al Jeff and Klinko for this.

 

[GoJazz]

Klinko and Raja Fail come to mind for me.

 

[NAOS]

On this team, the list of players to "hit back" is shorter than the players that "fold". That was probably true even when DWill was on the team.

IMO, this is why you can't trade Millsap. The dude hits back, HARD.

 

[BetterThanESPN]

Earl Watson is smarter than he looks. That's one ugly dude.

This team is closer to being a contender than a lot of people think. If the Jazz can sign/trade for/draft a shooting guard with a good outside game and defense, we're in business. Another good shooter will be needed off the bench. As far as bigs go.. I think we're okay there, but we could definitely use an upgrade for the backup center.

 

[zman1527]

Fragile? Or lacking talent, and coaching, and strategy, and defense, and length, and athleticism? Why is it a "character" issue? Didn't the Jazz make several huge comebacks this year?

I find it more telling the number of comments by other teams that they know all our plays. DHarris said he had them all down pat when he came over. And our new coach = Jerry Junior: meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

 

[candrew]

And our new coach = Jerry Junior: meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

 

[UB]

We need tough players on this team.

 

[moevillini]

now here's a player who could definitely take it on the chin

:wink:

We need tough players on this team.

 

[VINYLONE]

This team is closer to being a contender than a lot of people think.

You're smoking mad herb yo.

 

[NUMBERICA]

On this team, the list of players to "hit back" is shorter than the players that "fold". That was probably true even when DWill was on the team.

IMO, this is why you can't trade Millsap. The dude hits back, HARD.

Agreed. Unless you get a chance to draft Derrick Williams.