Are the Utah Jazz Legit?: A quest for respect

After a first round elimination in the bubble, NBA fans and analysts viewed the Utah Jazz as a solid but not exceptional team. However, the Jazz currently sit atop the Western Conference with a 51-21 record. Ball movement, three point shooting, and gritty team defense have contributed to the Jazz’s success this season. Despite their success, many NBA analysts and fans believe that the Utah Jazz’s regular season performance will not translate into the playoffs. Doubting the Jazz’s playoff chances, however, seriously undermines the Jazz and their abilities. The Utah Jazz possess enough talent to make a deep playoff run and potentially upset title favorites.

Many have drawn comparisons between the Utah Jazz and the 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks due to their similar playstyles. Both teams rely on tough defense and ball movement. In addition, these teams are both viewed as pretenders. While both teams have achieved regular season success, they are expected to fall short in the playoffs. The Hawks were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs because they lacked a go-to guy. When the Hawks were struggling, they did not have anyone who could carry them through the game. The Utah Jazz, however, do not face this same problem. All-star guard Donovan Mitchell is a proven scorer who the Jazz can rely on. Last year in the playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, Mitchell averaged a ridiculous 36.3 points per game on 52.9% from the field and 51.6% from three. Donovan Mitchell has shown that he can be a leading scorer on a playoff team and that he can be trusted with the ball come crunch time. Unlike the 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks, The Utah Jazz have a star player in Donovan Mitchell that can come up clutch for them.

In addition to Mitchell’s All-Star level play, the Utah Jazz’s stifling defense will help fuel a deep playoff run. The Jazz hold the third highest defensive rating, led by two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert. Most notably, the Jazz held the Miami Heat to 94 points in an 18 point win, limited the Cavs to 75 points (tied for second lowest scoring game all season), and allowed the Atlanta Hawks 92 points in a 24 point win. Gobert offers the Jazz elite rim protection, a skill that will be vital against teams with talented big men and crafty guards, such as the Lakers and the Nets. Furthermore, Mike Conley, Royce O’Neal, and Joe Ingles are all solid defenders that can guard on the perimeter, forcing players to drive and be met with Gobert’s 7 foot paint presence. These players solidify that the Jazz’s defense will keep them in games even if their offense struggles.

Along with a strong defense, the Utah Jazz possess a deep bench with players like Jordan Clarkson and Joe Ingles. Both players are sixth man of the year candidates, and they provide a spark off the bench. Jordan Clarkson is one of the deadliest bench scorers in the league, averaging 17.5 PPG on 42.4% shooting. Joe Ingles plays the 3-and-D role, shooting a league high 49.4% from three (minimum 3 attempts per game) with tough defense. These players, along with other solid bench players like Derrick Favors, will be key for a playoff run. As the season progresses and the starters get tired, the bench becomes more vital. Successful playoff teams always possess a strong bench, and the Utah Jazz have the personnel to continue this tradition.

In addition to a talented bench, the Utah Jazz are one of the best coached teams in the NBA. Head coach Quin Snyder is currently a candidate for Coach of the Year due to his analytic-based offense. He has given his players the confidence to perform at the best of their abilities. Snyder encourages his players to shoot threes, which has led to the fourth-highest offensive rating in the league. Defensively, Quin Snyder implements a tough and gritty defensive scheme. Snyder’s coaching abilities will be vital for the Jazz in the playoffs.

Moreover, other Western Conference teams face health problems, so the west is more open for the Jazz to make a playoff run. If contenders such as the Lakers, Clippers, or Nuggets get injured or underperform, then the Utah Jazz pose a serious threat for an upset. This year, Lebron James and Anthony Davis have battled serious injuries. Assuming they do not come back 100% for the playoffs, the Lakers could be vulnerable. Similarly, the Denver Nuggets lost Jamal Murray for the rest of the season due to an ACL tear. If small forward Michael Porter Jr. and the rest of the Nuggets don’t step up, they will be weak. The Clippers underperformed in the playoffs last year, and could very likely do the same this year. Shooting guard Paul George has been disappointing in the past few postseasons, and assuming this trend continues, the Clippers will struggle. This opens the door for the Jazz, who could take advantage of an open western conference (Donovan Mitchell should return for the playoffs, as he only suffered a minor injury). If the West is porous this year, then the Utah Jazz can capitalize on the opportunity.

The Utah Jazz have the potential to make serious noise this postseason. A team composed of three all-stars (Donovan Mitchell, Mike Conley, and Rudy Gobert), a DPOY candidate (Rudy Gobert), two 6th Man of the Year candidates (Jordan Clarkson and Joe Ingles), and a COTY candidate (Quin Snyder) should not be taken lightly. People underrate the Jazz because they do not have a Lebron or Kawhi type of player. Despite this, the Jazz are a serious threat and are talented enough to contend with the best teams in the western conference.