Josh Okogie believes the Utah Jazz's defence can be turned around if players commit to competing and building the kind of chemistry that takes time to forge. The Nigerian forward signed a two-year, $12 million deal in free agency and joined a Jazz squad that has finished in the bottom two of the league in defensive rating over the past three seasons, including a franchise-worst 122.3 mark last year.
"I feel like it starts with the willingness to compete on the defensive side," Okogie said after a recent practice ahead of the Jazz's preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs. "For the most part, the guys have been willing to step up and put their bodies on the line to get stops. It's still a work in progress, both defensively and offensively, as everybody figures out what their teammates like to do and don't like to do."
Okogie compared defensive rotations to offensive sets, noting that putting players in their strongest positions comes only with familiarity. The Jazz added another perimeter defender in Josh Green via trade and expect more from Jaren Jackson Jr., who appeared in just three regular-season games after arriving at last year's deadline.
A top-10 defensive finish appears unrealistic for the youthful roster, but Okogie suggested slipping back into the league's bottom three would also be difficult given the new personnel.
