Snyder Says Aggression Is Key For Championship Mentality

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Prior to Game 3 of the Western Conference first round series, trailing the Houston Rockets 2-0, Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder knows that his team needs to be aggressive to have that championship mentality.

Aggression is the first two games have been few and far between for the Jazz as they lost by 32 points in Game 1 and 20 points in Game 2 in Houston.

The Rockets have been able to basically do what they want offensively, while bringing a stifling defense.

“I think the focus and aggressiveness on every possession, I think you have seen that particularly at the beginning of the game [for Houston],” Snyder said. “That has been something that our team has had over the course of the year and something that I know they are capable of doing,” he added.

Playing Nice

Following the disappointing loss in Game 2 on Wednesday, Jazz center Rudy Gobert said that they played nice and that if they play nice, they will “get their a– kicked every game,” coach Snyder was asked about that sentiment.

“It’s something that our team is aware of,” he said. “To me, that translates to a lot of things. The aggressiveness, the physicality off the ball and defensively,” Snyder mentioned.

Improved Bench Play

The Jazz bench has been an issue in the first two games of the series as the Rockets outscored the Jazz second unit 35-18 in Game 1 but had a better outing in Game 2 with a 38-30 advantage due to Royce O’Neale’s 17 points.

“We can shoot the ball better, that would be reflective in their scoring,” Snyder said about the bench. “We have to play better when we get a turnover or a stop. That is where we struggle the most,” he added.

The Jazz and Rockets will tip-off Game 3 at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday on ESPN.