MVP
Well-Known Member
ok.. maybe not for 5th but they can certainly end up in 8th place.
Kevin Pelton projects the Jazz as the #2 seed in the West
- Thread starter Elizah Huge
- Start date
MVP
Well-Known Member
Both Siakam and Anunoby can play 4 and fill in at 5 if they go small. They were top 5 offensive and top 10 defensive team and added Kawhi and D.Green and subtracted one of their worst defenders - they will be a top defensive team in the East easily if not a top in NBA. They got much much better.
Engorged On Unborn Gore
Well-Known Member
They also "added" Melo, who is going to take minutes away from players who actually understand that there is a defensive aspect to the game of basketball.
I also heard they were looking to trade for JR Smith.
In: Melo and JR.
Out: Ariza and Mbah a Moute.
Also: Supermax a 33 year old.
Sounds like an off-season.
Engorged On Unborn Gore
Well-Known Member
Or an off off-season, as it were.
My very early subject to change prediction for the western conference seeding next year is...
1. Warriors. No surprise.
2. Rockets. I think that their ability to win in the playoffs took a hit, but they will still be good in the regular season.
3. Spurs. They were good last year without Kawhi. With Demar I expect them to finish near the top of the west.
4. Jazz. They will be even better than last year. In the regular season AND the playoffs. Still, the western conference is tough.
5. Thunder. Schroder is an improvement over Melo.
6. Lakers. This about as high as I can see LeBron getting these young inexperienced guys in a tough conference.
7. Blazers. Other teams are improving around them while they remain the same.
8. Pelicans. They have enough to hold that last spot.. I think.
9. Wolves. I think that they miss the playoffs. They are too dysfunctional. I wouldn't be surprised to see Thibs get fired or see them make a major trade at the deadline. Maybe both.
10. Nuggets. Different year, same story. They can score enough to be in playoff contention but their porous defense prevents them from getting in.
11. Grizzlies. If healthy they should bounce back a little bit.
12. Mavs. Had a good off season. Doncic is my early pick for ROTY. I don't think they have enough to make the playoffs though.
13. Clippers. I expect a rebuilding year of sorts. More trades to come.
14. Suns. Great young core. Not ready yet.
15. Kings.
1. Warriors. No surprise.
2. Rockets. I think that their ability to win in the playoffs took a hit, but they will still be good in the regular season.
3. Spurs. They were good last year without Kawhi. With Demar I expect them to finish near the top of the west.
4. Jazz. They will be even better than last year. In the regular season AND the playoffs. Still, the western conference is tough.
5. Thunder. Schroder is an improvement over Melo.
6. Lakers. This about as high as I can see LeBron getting these young inexperienced guys in a tough conference.
7. Blazers. Other teams are improving around them while they remain the same.
8. Pelicans. They have enough to hold that last spot.. I think.
9. Wolves. I think that they miss the playoffs. They are too dysfunctional. I wouldn't be surprised to see Thibs get fired or see them make a major trade at the deadline. Maybe both.
10. Nuggets. Different year, same story. They can score enough to be in playoff contention but their porous defense prevents them from getting in.
11. Grizzlies. If healthy they should bounce back a little bit.
12. Mavs. Had a good off season. Doncic is my early pick for ROTY. I don't think they have enough to make the playoffs though.
13. Clippers. I expect a rebuilding year of sorts. More trades to come.
14. Suns. Great young core. Not ready yet.
15. Kings.
We are greater than the sum of our parts so we'll have a stellar season. It will be special to witness the chemistry. I predict 58 wins if we have no major injuries. Teams are going to come after us. Going to be close with Houston.
And Lebron is going to make the playoffs.
And Lebron is going to make the playoffs.
I'll go with 54 wins for the Jazz, and Lakers miss the playoffs by 3 games.
Only 6 more wins than last year? Oh ye of little faith. So you're basically predicting a big fall-off of their form from January on last year?
We were 29-6 to finish off last season; from January 24th on. 19-28 before that.
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Joe Bagadonuts
Well-Known Member
Long before the season started everyone was predicting a rough start and a stronger finish for the Jazz, not because they expected them to get better or healthier (both of which they did) but because the schedule was easier. In other words, a 54 win season would not be a big fall-off.
In short, yes. There's no way the Jazz come close to maintaining the winning percentage of their 29-6 stretch over the coming season. That would be a 68 win season, for goodness sake. Does anyone think the Jazz will win 68 next year? Or close to that? Of course, I'd love to be wrong.
Why wouldn't they come close to maintaining that form? They'll have Exum, Sefolosha, Grayson... and Rudy might stay healthy the whole season... Donovan shouldn't struggle like he did early season. Every player should probably be better next year since none of them are on the downside of their careers, including Ricky IMO.
Not saying they'll go over 60 wins since I hedged my bet at 58(wanted to say 60 but we're going to have a target on our back this year), but still I wouldn't be surprised if we went 64-18 like the Pistons of '06. There's no reason to underestimate this team, really. Even though I kind of did.
