After Gordon Hayward did not re-sign in free agency and Rudy Gobert missed 26 games due to injuries during the 2017-18 NBA season, it could have been extremely easy for the Utah Jazz to consider rebuilding or tanking. At one point, the Jazz were even nine games below .500 after losing to the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 22.
However, led by Donovan Mitchell and Gobert's return, the Jazz are currently 10 games above .500 after defeating the Sacramento Kings and the fifth spot in the extremely competitive Western Conference standings. As a result, Gobert expressed his happiness with Utah not deciding to rebuild or tank according to Sam Amick of USA Today:
“Just try to teach players how to make winning plays, not only good basketball plays but winning plays,” Gobert said in explaining coach Quin Snyder’s system. “Teach every single one to help the team win games. A lot of teams are very good doing skill work, strength work. But if you want to win, you have to teach a player how to win. That's why I don't believe in tanking, all that stuff. I believe you learn how to win by winning. You don't learn how to win by losing on purpose to get a 19-year-old who you've never seen.”
While players certainly do not lose on purpose, it has become a major issue in the league highlighted by Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban's recent comments. If a team is not a championship contender or a couple moves away, teams tend to evaluate their young prospects instead of being a middle-of-the-pack team.
For the Jazz, they have overcome so much during the 2017-18 NBA season. Along with Mitchell being considered the steal of the 2017 NBA Draft with averages of 19.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, Utah also made an underrated move by acquiring Jae Crowder from the Cleveland Cavaliers at the trade deadline. While it remains to be seen if the Jazz will make the playoffs, they have shown an alternative to rebuilding or tanking by teaching players how to make winning plays.
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