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Taylor Hendricks will not really feel like a full basketball participant for a very long time. His Nov. 6 surgical procedure to restore his damaged leg and dislocated ankle was simply step one in a rehabilitation course of anticipated to final many of the subsequent calendar yr.
The hope is that Hendricks might be totally healed and able to play by the beginning of coaching camp subsequent season. However, till then, the Jazz must be actually intentional about making Hendricks really feel like he is a part of the group. An enormous step might be when he can journey with the group once more.
Presently he might be on the coaching heart and residential video games, however as he’s not in a position to transfer round with out the help of a scooter or crutches whereas carrying a boot on his leg proper, he cannot go to away video games.
“He’ll have sufficient isolation moments,” Jazz coach Will Hardy mentioned. “He’ll have sufficient moments the place the group is coaching on the sphere and he is doing a little rehabilitation work within the again. So there might be sufficient situations the place he feels separated.
“I believe being on the highway with the group is basically essential. I believe being on the airplane, being on the bus, being along with your teammates, in these moments the place you are simply one of many guys, you are simply a part of the group, I believe that is actually essential for him.
The Jazz hope Hendricks can start touring with the group subsequent month. That is to not say they ignored his state of affairs whereas ready till he might get again on the highway. They needed to be actually intentional in how they stored Hendricks engaged.
Typically this implies gamers going to Hendricks to seize meals or snacks that are not straightforward to get whereas he is recovering. Typically meaning additional telephone calls or setting instances to play video video games. Meaning ensuring the group hears their voice throughout filming and in follow. And typically meaning manufacturing conditions for him to be concerned within the sport course of, even when he isn’t on the sphere.
“He tied it on the primary play of a sport (a couple of) video games in the past – nice play, John (Collins) scored,” Hardy mentioned. “He was sitting there and the portray was subsequent to him. So I despatched the primary group over and gave them the board and mentioned, “Taylor will draw the primary piece for you.” It was enjoyable. It is enjoyable to look at him draw and much more enjoyable to hearken to him clarify it.
It was for the Jazz November 12 sport towards the Phoenix Suns. On the Jazz’s second journey down the court docket, after they had been arrange, a couple of screens had been set, Collins obtained the ball close to the put up, obtained to about 11 ft from the basket and scored on a brief jumper. It isn’t probably the most creative sport and even the perfect sort of taking pictures, however that wasn’t the purpose. The purpose was, it made Hendricks really feel related to the group.
“I’ve to be intentional, however you can also’t overdo it,” Hardy mentioned. “You possibly can type of take little moments right here and there. Everybody loves Taylor, so it is not arduous for his teammates to seek out moments to attach with him.
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Quote of the week
“I can’t think about all of the ideas that might have gone by means of his head within the days that adopted. It was such a stunning second for everybody. — Jazz coach Will Hardy on Taylor Hendricks damage
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