Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels made headlines last week with a postgame interview in which he called the whole of the Denver Nuggets roster “bad defenders.”
Call it bravado, confidence, arrogance. Call it whatever you want. There’s probably a little bit of hyperbole in what McDaniels said, but what’s most important is the amount of truth in it.
He had been asked about what the T’Wolves’ offensive game plan was against the Nuggets that night, and there’s no doubt that at some point Minnesota had discussed their strength as a defensive team (they finished eighth in the NBA in defensive rating this season) and the Nuggets’ weakness (Denver finished 21st in defensive rating).
Even with a three-time MVP on the roster in Nikola Jokic, championship experience and continuity on the Nuggets’ side, the Timberwolves knew that they could wear down the Denver defense, attack weak points and then boast about it.
The Timberwolves tied the first-round playoff series with Denver that night and have since won two more games, with McDaniels backing up his dagger-like comments. Minnesota, with a 3-1 series lead, will now look to close out the Nuggets on Monday night.
What does this have to do with the Utah Jazz? Everything.
In the NBA postseason, every weakness is exposed and exploited, and it’s nearly impossible to cover up flaws. While offense is what rules the day, you’d be hard pressed to find a championship run that does not include an either exceptional defensive team or at least multiple standout defensive performances.
You don’t want to be a team that is deficient to the point of not having answers for the opponent’s offensive attacks, and you certainly don’t want the players on the opposing team blasting you for not having any good defenders.
The Jazz are nowhere near being a team that is ready to contend for a title, but that is what they’ll be aiming for, and as it stands, they’ve really got their work cut out for them on the defensive side of the ball.
In Will Hardy’s first year as head coach of the Jazz, the team finished 22nd in defensive rating. Since then they’ve either been dead last or 29th in the league. While there is context to these rebuilding and tanking years that’s important to consider when looking at the team’s overall defensive performance, it doesn’t completely explain away some of the more glaring defensive issues that will need to be addressed as the Jazz look toward a more winning future.
“Defense is going to be a team-wide goal for us this summer,” president of basketball operations Austin Ainge said. “Every guy’s been told that we’re making a big leap next year defensively. No discussion. It’s going to happen.”
It has to.
If the Jazz want to be taken seriously, even in the regular season — to say nothing about the postseason — they need to establish themselves as a defensively competent team.
Hardy has lamented at times over the past few years about effort and pride and needing to see more — especially from his perimeter players — on defense. But as the Jazz turn the page on this rebuilding story, it’s what happens in the coming months and seasons that will really determine what the team is capable of on that side of the ball.
Certainly, a lot will depend on if the Jazz are able to re-sign Walker Kessler this summer and how well he performs after being away from the game for a year following shoulder surgery.
Jaren Jackson Jr. will also play a huge role in the team’s defensive potential, but as Jazz fans know all too well, it’s not just about rim protection.
Two of the most important players on the Jazz roster in terms of needing to take a leap on the defensive end are Ace Bailey and Keyonte George.
“I think (Ace) and Keyonte, it’s going to be about their individual defense,” Hardy said. “We’re going to have to take a huge step in that area, and before a collective group can take a step forward on the defensive side, every person has to take a step forward.
“That means your one-on-one defense, that means your understanding of scheme, that means your ability to play at a disadvantage, play one-versus-two and make choices.”
There’s going to be a point when all of us as reporters, analysts, fans and even the Jazz front office will discuss whether or not the Jazz coaching staff is capable of running a successful defense, and at the same time whether the Jazz have the players on the roster who are capable of playing successful defense.
But before that time comes, the Jazz have to take a long, hard look in the mirror and give a concerted effort toward changing how things have operated for the last four years. Because if they don’t, they run the risk of having a player like McDaniels, honestly and rightly, blast them for being a lackluster defensive team.