[ZachAttackParticipant]

 The Jazz are now on a 10 game winning streak after winning last night’s nailbite vs the Spurs. Most people who aren’t really keeping track of the Jazz (mostly everyone) will probably assume the Jazz are getting the worst or the worst in the league. Now they have played some of the worst in the league, but they’ve also been playing the best. Their wins come from the Pistons (road), Toronto (road), Warriors (home), Suns (road), Spurs (road), Pelicans (road), Grizzlies (road), Hornets (home), Blazers (road), Spurs (home).

Some impressive things about those wins:

Toronto is the best home team in the NBA with a record of 23-4

The Warriors have only been beaten by 30 twice in this era they’ve been in, once by the Blazers, and once by the Jazz.

Mitchell had another 40 point game vs the Suns, his second of the season.

They beat the Spurs without one of their best 2 players in Donovan Mitchell, he would go on to be innefective in the Pelicans road game as well when they beat them 133-109

Ricky Rubio got injured in the third quarter of the Hornets game and left the game and the Jazz have played the last 2 games without him. He’s been a huge part of the Jazz win streak with 18.9 ppg 7.6 apg and 5.4 rpg. His best stretch of the season, but like stated he’s injured

Lastly, against the Spurs, the Jazz were down by 13 with about 8 minutes left in the 4th quarter, and thanks to Donovan Mitchell getting hot down the stretch and making some GREAT plays, especially for a rookie, led the Jazz to a 101-99 win. Fun fact, the Spurs are now 775-4 in the Gregg Popovich era when leading by 13+ points in the 4th quarter. The Jazz are that 4th team.

So, my question now is, if the Jazz make the playoffs, are other teams worried about them, and does this win streak cause enough for people to be worried about them. Some have them projected getting as high as the 6th seed, a team like the Wolves or the Blazers will probably get the third seed, could the Jazz steal a series win in a 3-6 series?

My other question regards the rookie of the year race? Who wins? Simmons, Mitchell, or Tatum?

Discuss… I’ll get back to anyone who may not know enough about the Jazz or questions. Look forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts.

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Ive been following the streak and they seem to be for real. Well playoff position real. I think they are better than Portland, Denver, LAC, and NOP. Rubio has emerged as a consistent threat. Royce Oneal is providing a great glue guy role. Crowder is a much better fit than Hood and a great deal for them. Ingles has emerged as a constant offenive threat and the team has great role defenition. I honestly thought they would be this good at the beggining of the year but Hood didnt really step up the way I expected and seems comfortable as a role player.

[The GoatParticipant]

 They are better than people realise. The deal for Crowder was clever. They bought low on him. He can play 3 positions and is exactly what they need. Rubio, Ingles and Favors are three handy guys to have as role players if Mitchell and Gobert are your stars. 

[HazelParticipant]

Some things of note:

The Favors Gobert Igles Rubio Mitchell Crowder O-Neal Group is a group of plus defenders who are also capable (Rubio just lately) enough offensively to make teams pay.  All are willing passers and all are playmakers at their position.  Favors and Gobert are elite at rolling to the hoop and demand help.  Everyone else can hit the three if left open.  Rubio has been the guy they have chosen to leave all season, and has just recently figured the right balance of shot-making and play-making to make them pay.  

Mitchell reminds me of rookie D-Wade with a 3-point jumpshot.  (In the top 5 all time of 3’s made by a rookie.) He can get by anyone off the dribble and can either finish with the Tony Parker scoop, a floater or the facial.  He an also guard three positions on many nights.  He is incredible for a rookie in the clutch both his FG% and points scored in the 4th when teams are loading up on him is notable.

Look at how Ingles defended Reddick and Thompson in last year’s playoffs (and Durant in the last game they played).  Ingles is an amazing team concept defender and lights out shooter who is an excellent secondary playmaker.  

 

There are spurts in games and sometimes full games of dominant play that is usually only seen on elite teams.  (Portland, SA second halves for example)

The offense has put up eye-popping numbers in spurts.  It will get more consistent as players get more comfortable.  

Exum could be that second guy to be a playmaker when shots aren’t falling.

 This year they win a playoff series and win games in the second round.  Next year they are a top 3 seed. and narrow that gap between them and GS.  

 

  

[ZouldiersParticipant]

 Welcome back man and yes they are for real. Had them as an 8th preseason.

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 Great to be back. Thanks!

 

 

[LOFTYParticipant]

 I think I’m most impressed by Ricky Rubio’s game. He has totally changed it, he attacks the rim a ton more and that has helped his game. Earlier in the year the Jazz just weren’t hitting shots, their defense was there but they had no offense. It looks like they have figured that part of it out. I think this is one of the more all-around teams in the nba 

[Ahkasi ClayParticipant]

 Plus their new court is awesome!

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 I completely forgot to talk about Royce O’Neale, his defensive effort and just all around smart basketball has been really impressive as well. In both of the San Antonio games he had the game winning defensive play. He was literally the last guy signed to the team and I’m sure the Jazz are really glad they kept him. The front office of the Utah Jazz has found itself 2 very good gems from this past year’s draft class and have been able to keep this team afloat since the departure of Gordon Hayward.

Here in Utah, after he left, it ripped all our hearts out, this streak along with the excellent play of rookies and an amazing all around team effort has brought life back into Utah.

 

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 I also don’t think I talked about Gobert hardly at all, but it’s no coincidence that this 10 game winning streak started in his 3rd game back from injury. Gobert is an excellent leader for the team and has been the strongest defensive force the NBA has seen for a while.

[Author]

Posts