The Utah Jazz’s 2025-26 season has kicked off with a bold statement: it’s not about the wins and losses—yet. After their first ten games, the team sits at a modest 3-7 record, but head coach Will Hardy is far from discouraged. In fact, he’s seeing something far more valuable than early victories: growth. And this is the part most people miss—the Jazz aren’t just rebuilding; they’re redefining their identity, one game at a time.
Sure, the start hasn’t been flawless. The defense, while showing subtle improvements, still echoes the inconsistencies of the past two seasons, where they ranked among the league’s worst. And the offense? Well, let’s just say the three-point line hasn’t been their friend, with the team shooting a collective 30.8% from deep—landing them in the bottom three of the league. But here’s where it gets controversial: Hardy isn’t hitting the panic button. Instead, he’s focusing on the positives, and he’s got a point.
“I think overall, we’ve played more good basketball than bad basketball,” Hardy stated candidly before facing the Indiana Pacers. He acknowledges the struggles—the loud, frustrating stretches—but highlights the silver linings. For instance, the Jazz are currently 12th in the NBA in rim protection, a significant step up. The real issue, according to Hardy, isn’t just the missed threes; it’s the free throw line. “Fouling a little bit too much is probably hurting us the most,” he admitted. The team ranks middle-of-the-pack in total fouls per game, but those bonus stretches are costing them dearly.
And this is the part most people miss: Hardy isn’t just spinning a positive narrative; he’s seeing tangible progress. Offensively, he believes the team is playing well—it’s just the shots that aren’t falling. “We’re not playing poorly; we’re just shooting poorly,” he explained. “The makes and misses can impact your mindset, but I think we’re a better shooting team than we’ve shown.”
This optimism isn’t blind faith. Hardy points to the team’s connectivity and competitiveness, particularly among the young players. Lauri Markkanen’s versatility, Keyonte George’s scoring leap, and Ace Bailey’s eye-catching flashes are all signs of a team finding its rhythm. Even with two new centers in the rotation, the group is gelling faster than expected.
But let’s not sugarcoat it—there’s work to do. The Jazz still have a long road ahead, and this season is just the beginning of a larger process. Here’s the controversial question: Is it fair to judge this team by their record alone, or should we focus on the underlying growth? Hardy’s take is clear: he’s pleased with the first ten games, even if the wins haven’t piled up yet.
So, what do you think? Is Hardy’s optimism warranted, or is he overlooking critical issues? Are the Jazz on the right track, or is their slow start a sign of deeper problems? Let’s debate it in the comments—because this is one conversation that’s just getting started.
For more insights, breakdowns, and daily updates on the Utah Jazz, be sure to bookmark Utah Jazz On SI (https://www.si.com/nba/jazz) and follow @JazzOnSI on X (https://x.com/jazzonsi). The journey’s just beginning, and you won’t want to miss a moment.
