Yeah, the best you can do is be the best team possible and hope things fall your way. If you are a top 5 team in the NBA you could potentially catch a break and make it. The longer you are near the top the more chances you get for good fortune. Look at the old Stockton/Malone teams. They never won it but they stayed near the top and got really close, but most years they didnt make the finals.
Look at GS, they didnt instantly become the favorites. They had Curry catch on fire and make a big jump one season. Then the #2 best player in the NBA decided to join them. GS was never the favorite to win a Championship until they did.
GS won 47 games. Then they lost in the second round. Then they won 51 games the next year and lost to the Clippers in the first round. Then things came together for them. They got a new coach and Curry made a big jump. Then they won their first Championship. But the next year they were the heavy favorite to win and didnt.
Jazz are a step ahead of the team that won 51 games from GS. Can we add another good player and make a jump? Can we stay somewhat healthy and win 10-15 more regular season games?
FYI the year before GS won a championship and lost to the Clippers in the first round their best player Curry averaged 23 points on .440 shooting. David Lee was their third biggest scorer. The next year Curry jumped to 28 ppg on 45% shooting. Hayward this year averaged 24 points on .440 shooting including his sick game. I think he could jump to 28 ppg on 45% shooting next year just fine. Can we have other players step up and be as good as their second and third best players that year Green and Thompson? I think its a possibility. Especially if we add another all-star.