SALT LAKE CITY – For at least a while, things went back to normal for Utah Jazz on Thursday.
The players were concentrated, there was movement of the ball with four or five passes that went from one corner to the other and no one had his hands on his knees because of fatigue.
In short, Jazz basketball was happening for the first time in four months, at least the way point guard Mike Conley saw the initial part of the team’s practice Thursday inside the NBA “bubble” at Walt Disney World Orlando resort – his first time all together on the field since March – when coach Quin Snyder allowed the group to play for just a little while.
“Guys, obviously there will be a bit of rust here and there only with the times, but the boys had a great energy. The guys are back in shape, “Conley told reporters after practicing via Zoom, mentioning the lack of visible fatigue and connectivity during the game.” It’s exciting. It is exciting to see the kids as if they were here and be ready from day one. “
Rudy Gobert, an All-Star Center added: “I think it was great. It was good to be out there again. I felt like everyone was really stuck. Everything was really positive and we just went through it. It was a long practice, but I think Coach did a great job talking to us and somehow making sure we got back our good habits. It will be a process, but I really like the mentality we had today. “
That normal period, of course, came after almost 48 hours which were very out of the ordinary. After arriving at the hotel team on Tuesday evening, everyone was quarantined until two negative coronavirus tests were recorded. Once released on Thursday, the group immediately went to the training room to be registered for exercise, Conley said. They then had a short meeting and rehearsals began.
As such, nobody really had a chance to find out what their surroundings will be for the next few months, which Conley said the group was eager to do.
“I know the kids are just anxious to get out of the room and get some fresh air and look around, see what’s going on,” he said.
Of course, in addition to the basketball component of the coming months, the concept of getting used to the environment will certainly be a great factor of experience. As Conley said, “I think the whole situation we are in now is just who will adapt more quickly and will not apologize, will go out there and be content with what we have.”
In this vein, both Snyder and Conley stressed the importance of the unity of the team, perhaps more than ever.
“I think everyone is happy to be together again and to connect,” said Snyder. “I also felt like being on the plane together. We have a good group, guys who have relationships. I really think all the time we are here, just to support each other and control the things we can control. “
Conley added: “It is unique in the sense that we will be in the same place for so long and around the same people in such a bubble type of atmosphere, but it is new for everyone, so I think we are all I’m just trying to take a step forward. together and find out together. “
Snyder believes that the platform that the NBA should promote social justice conversations and allow people to watch basketball again is worth the effort to sacrifice players, coaches and others.
“In general, I think there is an appreciation from the players, and I know the coaches, but in particular the players, that although this is a sacrifice, there are opportunities to do some good things,” said Snyder, “and I think everyone is aware of what sacrifices the players are making … to do something that I think is bigger than all of us and bigger than basketball in many ways. “
