Conley missing so many games is just incredibly unfortunate for the Jazz. They were looking completely legit prior to that, and given his age and impending free agency who knows if they get another shot with this group.
Yeah, I feel bad for Utah. A team that has routinely been very good but not good enough. All those Stockton-Malone teams. Then a brief run with Deron-Boozer. Now they are finally back there in a surprise season (at least to me). A team full of good guys. Lacking top star quality players but doing with borderline stars, lots of depth and excellent togetherness.
It would be beautiful to see them pull it off and win their first NBA Championship.
It is one thing to lose and not be good enough. To be beaten by a better team. You can take that. That is sports. That is competition. It is another thing though when you lose because of injury. Because of your best players goes down. That sucks. I hate seeing that.
It feels like so much of the playoffs is exactly that this year too. Usually it is 1 or 2 teams. This year though, it feels like it'll be the odd team that escapes injuries is going to be the one to win. The survivor rather than the best team. I hope it doesn't play out that way. I hope the remaining teams can stay healthy & even better if some of these hurt guys can get back before their series' are over.