For the Utah Jazz, winning basketball games comes with a learning curve. <\/p>\n
That\u2019s been clear through the first six games, as Utah fell to 1-5 on Saturday after a 112-90 home loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.<\/p>\n
Jazz guard Keyonte George tries to keep a learning mindset no matter the result. The Jazz\u2019s last few losses were at least competitive. Saturday\u2019s wasn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just try to tell myself it hasn\u2019t went our way for three years,\u201d George told The Salt Lake Tribune after Utah\u2019s loss to San Antonio. \u201cMaybe it doesn\u2019t turn the corner immediately in the next season. But how can we just get better and go from maybe 18 wins to 29, 30, 35? <\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, we want to speed up the process, but that\u2019s just a mindset we have to be in, and that\u2019s the mindset for me. \u2026 This whole season for me, it\u2019s just been: How can I learn after every game? Win or lose. \u2026 We\u2019ve got to figure out how we can go over that hump.\u201d<\/p>\n
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy during an NBA game at the Delta Center against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday Oct. 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, there\u2019s some growing frustration among fans who have waited out four rebuilding seasons. <\/p>\n
Naturally, that\u2019s led to some overreactions, plus some valid criticisms. <\/p>\n
Get How ‘Bout This Jazz newsletter. Utah Jazz post-game analysis and hot takes from The Tribune\u2019s Shreyas Laddha.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a closer look at some trends, stats, and complaints categorized as either overreaction or concerning. All of the data is from Databallr, Cleaning the Glass, or NBA Advanced Stats. <\/p>\n
1. Concern over the Jazz\u2019s offense: Overreaction. <\/p>\n
Right now, the Jazz rank No. 27 in offensive rating (105.3), which measures points scored per 100 possessions. Utah\u2019s biggest issue is a poor shot diet.<\/p>\n
The Jazz rank No. 30 in rim frequency percentage and No. 23 in 3-point frequency. Meanwhile, the Jazz rank first in mid-range frequency. <\/p>\n
That means Utah is overly reliant on the hardest shot in basketball while struggling to get the two best shot types.<\/p>\n
That said, it shouldn\u2019t remain that way all season. <\/p>\n
A big reason the offense is so reliant on the mid-range right now is that the team is missing Jaren Jackson and Jusuf Nurkic, two bigs whose screening abilities should create more opportunities for catch-and-shoot 3s and pick-and-rolls to the rim.<\/p>\n
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (8) makes a drive to the basket defended by the Memphis Grizzlies during an NBA game at the Delta Center on Monday Oct. 26, 2026.<\/p>\n
That said, several Jazz players like to operate in that mid-range space even with both bigs fully healthy. It\u2019s a shot that Jazz coach Will Hardy is fine with his players taking \u2014 if that\u2019s the best option. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think you get to the rim when you can,\u201d Hardy said. \u201cI think catapulting yourself into the bigs at the rim isn\u2019t necessarily a great play. We are trying to make better decisions, especially with our young guards. The guys on our roster right now are a little bit more comfortable just inside the free-throw line, in the floater-type range. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re also in a moment where, coming off last game against [Victor] Wembanyama, you play against the Lakers and some of their size. There are plenty of factors why those rankings are what they are this early in the season, but we\u2019re trying to put pressure on the paint. We\u2019d like to get on the rim more, but we also have to take what the defense is giving us \u2026 I don\u2019t think we\u2019ve done a great job of getting to the rim in transition.\u201d <\/p>\n
2. The Jazz have a turnover problem: valid concern.<\/p>\n
Utah currently ranks No. 24 in turnover percentage. In the loss to Portland, the Jazz had 20 turnovers that led to 20 Portland points. <\/p>\n
The Jazz place a big emphasis on winning the possession battle, but it\u2019s hard to do when you turn the ball over 20 times. Hardy has harped on it throughout this season. <\/p>\n
Part of the issue is Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier trying to create open shots by dribbling too much or sometimes forcing passes. Both players should have fewer turnovers when Jackson and Nurkic return, but one big issue remains. <\/p>\n
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Darryn Peterson (22) looks for an opening past the New Orleans Pelicans during an NBA game at the Delta Center on Friday Oct. 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Utah hasn\u2019t figured out how to handle physical teams. <\/p>\n
In two straight games, the Jazz have struggled to handle opposing teams\u2019 physicality, leading to turnovers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe got to play in straight lines; can\u2019t dance the ball,\u201d Hardy said. \u201cWe need better screening, and when we do have the advantage, we can\u2019t give it back. I think there were plenty of times where we created some early advantages and we gave it back to them by bouncing the ball back out to the perimeter, playing step-backs, snatchback dribbles. Once you have the advantage, you have to keep it.\u201d <\/p>\n
3. Utah\u2019s defense is not good: Overreaction.<\/p>\n
Right now, the Jazz rank No. 23 in the NBA in defensive rating (115.4).<\/p>\n
The Jazz have improved significantly in first-shot defense compared to previous seasons, and the effort is much better. There\u2019s no doubt about that.<\/p>\n
That said, Utah has a couple of real defensive concerns. <\/p>\n
The Jazz have struggled to force turnovers, ranking No. 30 in opponent turnover rate (12.4), which measures turnovers forced per 100 possessions.<\/p>\n
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) during an NBA game at the Delta Center on Friday Oct. 23, 2026.<\/p>\n
Utah also struggles to defend without fouling. According to Cleaning the Glass, Utah ranks No. 29 in opponent free-throw rate. <\/p>\n
That issue showed up in Saturday\u2019s loss to the Blazers, leading to 41 free throws for Portland. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur fouling was a problem,\u201d Lauri Markkanen said. \u201cThey made [34] points from the free-throw line.\u201d <\/p>\n
Remember, Utah is missing two key paint defenders in Nurkic and Jackson, so the defense should improve when they return. Until their return, Utah will need to find a way to play defense without fouling. <\/p>\n
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