Rumors

Hardy said the team “wasn’t able to see (Bailey) as much as we would like” as a result of a hip flexor injury that kept the 19-year-old sidelined for all but two games of summer league. Of course, Bailey also needs to adapt to the NBA’s more grueling schedule, just as any player does. “For Ace, first and foremost, it’s going to be about building a routine. The NBA is a lot. The number of appearances is far more than he used to. That’s practice, shootaround, games, but it’s going to be about sort of him finding his routine, because I think the routine saves you during the season, you don’t have to think that much,” Hardy said.

Salt Lake Tribune

Speaking at a clinic for local coaches, Will Hardy made his first public comments since the Jazz took Ace Bailey with the fifth pick in the NBA draft. Naturally, how the Jazz coach would integrate his team’s newest star prospect was top of mind. “On the court, offensively, it’s going to be a little bit of playing without the ball, moving around. I think Ace showed he was really active in summer league. He’s a good cutter. He can play in off-ball screens,” Hardy said. “And then defensively, while his body is continuing to get stronger, it’s going to be about using his length, because I think that is a real strength of his right now. I think that’s how he can survive on the defensive end right now.”

Salt Lake Tribune

“For Ace, first and foremost, it’s going to be about building a routine. The NBA is a lot. The number of appearances is far more than he used to. That’s practice, shootaround, games, but it’s going to be about sort of him finding his routine, because I think the routine saves you during the season, you don’t have to think that much,” Hardy said.

Salt Lake Tribune

Michael Scotto: Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy has added Steve Wojciechowski to his coaching staff. He is the second coach from the team’s G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars, to be promoted to Hardy’s staff, joining previous Stars coach Scott Morrison. He spent two seasons as Stars coach.

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Andy Larsen: On what he meant by saying the Jazz weren't going to tank yesterday: "We're gonna fight to the end. We're gonna let the group fight, whatever group we end up with, and we're gonna let Will Hardy fight and try to win and improve, and we're gonna do everything we can every night."

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Andy Larsen: Will Hardy quote on Austin Ainge: “During my time with the Celtics, I really enjoyed working alongside Austin and was able to gain a great appreciation of his basketball insight and acumen. Having Austin to help guide our group as we continue to grow is huge for our program.”

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Andy Larsen: Will Hardy: "This is all going to be worth it. Growing these young players is going to give us the best chance to hang a banner at Delta Center... I understand that some of the losses are hard, especially when you care deeply about the team, but the support does not go unnoticed"

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Andy Larsen: Hardy on Popovich's influence: "I learned an incredible amount from Pop. I think he really set the foundation of values for me that you carry into your team. I also recognize that I'm not Pop, our personalities are not the same, and so I'm not trying to emulate Pop."

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Tony Jones: Will Hardy: The alignment that we have every day, it's one constant conversation. The perspective is always there for all four of us (He and the front office and ownership)

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Tony Jones: Will Hardy: "I'm fortunate that I work with this group. We've been very aligned the entire way through this process. I'm very proud to be the coach of the Utah Jazz."

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Ryan Smith: We are excited to extend Will Hardy’s contract as head coach of the Jazz through 2031. Will is a great leader, communicator, and ambassador for our org, and is a tremendous partner to Danny, JZ, and me. Our goal is to hang a banner, and Will is a huge part of this journey.

x.com

Getting a chance to understand and know the vision of the team, I think it’s having success because we’re in a reload of losing Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, and coach Quin (Snyder). We brought in a new coach in Will Hardy, Danny Ainge, and Ryan as a new governor. Everything is new, and you have to have patience. You have to be patient in your rebuild. I think that’s what the Jazz have been doing while trying to build a culture and put together an organization that practices a championship mindset from the top and eventually trickles down to the players. It’s a slow burn. It’s a slow build. But you’ve got to be in this for the long haul. You don’t just walk into this and win championships and be successful. I think we’re all seeing that together. We’ve got a great leader in Ryan, a great leader in Danny, and a great leader in Will.

HoopsHype

During that same timeout, second-year guard Keyonte George was not in the huddle. He sat at the end of the bench hunched over, not really paying attention to what was going on between Filipowski and Sexton. Then when head coach Will Hardy joined the huddle, George slowly walked around the corner of the court with a towel over his head. Even John Collins and Taylor Hendricks, wearing street clothes, were engaged in what was happening with the rest of the team and listening in to what Hardy had to say. And this isn’t the first time that George has seemed disconnected or frustrated in a negative way.

deseret.com

“There’s little things that you can do to continue to carry yourself in a way where you you maintain self respect first, and then you maintain the respect of everybody else around you,” Hardy said. “In your toughest moment, you don’t run and hide, you don’t put your head down, you don’t shake your head, you don’t point the finger, you don’t make excuses. You maintain some accountability, and you keep moving forward.”

deseret.com