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Utah Jazz: 5 goals for Rodney Hood in 2017-18

By Gavriel Wilkins

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 9: Rodney Hood #5 of the Utah Jazz high fives his teammates before the game against the Phoenix Suns on October 9, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 9: Rodney Hood #5 of the Utah Jazz high fives his teammates before the game against the Phoenix Suns on October 9, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images /

5. Stay healthy

Despite missing the most games of any season in his short career last year, it was not the first time in which Hood has managed to miss an extended period of action.

During his time in college, Hood suffered a deep bone bruise on his left knee his freshman year at Mississippi State. This was followed by a right Achilles tendon strain that Hood endured while practicing with USA Basketball prior to the 2013 World University Games.

However, Hood’s injury woes would not stop there.

In his rookie season with the Jazz in 2014-15, Hood was forced to sit out 29 games due to plantar fasciitis in both his left and right feet. He missed an additional three contests due to dealing with bouts of gastrointestinal distress and a concussion.

While his track record on the shelf might suggest that he is a liability, Utah will need Hood to be on the floor quite often in 2018, as it is counting on its young star to help pick up the slack on offense following the departure of Hayward.

Hood managed to post 22.2 points per 36 minutes when No. 20 was off the floor last season, and if he is healthy, could have the opportunity to show NBA fans why most experts view him as one of the most intriguing players to watch out for this year.

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