Rodney Hood was traded from the Jazz to the Cavaliers in early February, but has had a difficult time adjusting to playing in Cleveland.
“This is something different. It has been tough,” Hood said to The Undefeated. “The basketball stuff has been the easiest part. The stuff that comes out of it, you lose a game and everyone talks about it on TV the next day. They may say some things that you may not agree with.
“You lose a game and you feel like the world is coming down. You win, it’s like, you’re supposed to win. It’s still a struggle to me to adapt to that.”
Hood averaged 16.8 points in 39 games for the Jazz this season. But that number fell to 10.8 points per game with Cleveland.
Hood’s minutes have been reduced drastically in the postseason. He did not play in four of Cleveland’s seven Eastern Conference Finals games against the Celtics and he stepped on the court for just three seconds Thursday in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
In total, Hood has averaged 4.6 points in 14 playoff appearances
“I was playing at such a high clip when I got traded,” Hood said. “And then, this is my first time having DNPs (did not plays) in my life…. Having to adjust is the toughest part. It’s a part of my growth.”
The Warriors and Cavaliers will tip-off Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.
