should be the #2 seed in the West. This is the most realistic and the best scenario that they could land in, in theory. Also, Utah should hope that OKC finishes with a better record than the Lakers, making them the #3 seed with the Lakers being #4. My reasoning behind my assessment is based on the following facts. I think that we all pretty much agree that the Spurs are going to be the #1 seed. They are currently 35-6 at the halfway point of the season. They are on pace to win 70 games. If the Jazz were to get the #2 seed, they would have home court advantage in the first and second rounds. I know we all hate a matchup against the Lakers, which is why I want OKC to finish with a better record than LA. The Jazz would face the Thunder in the second round with home court advantage. Also, (and maybe more importantly) the Lakers would face the Spurs in the second round of the playoffs. With LA being defending champs, they probably would have what it takes to take out the Spurs. If the Jazz theoretically beat OKC in the conference semifinals, we would face the Lakers in the conference finals with home court advantage. I like us in that series, especially because would wouldn't have to win a game in LA to win the series, in theory. If everything plays out right, the Jazz could win the West under a scenario like this.
The Jazz's ultimate playoff goal this season...
- Thread starter pappyman
- Start date
For a team that has not managed to get homecourt even in the first round, for 4 years in a row, that is some serious weed you are smoking.
I'll be happy though if the Jazz can get to 3rd seed. I think they can take the Thunder even without homecourt. But avoiding the Lakers/Spurs until WCF is the bigger worry.
It will be tough to beat out the Lakers for a better record though. They are in the process of getting their act together and they might go on a winning streak soon.
Jazz have an outside chance of advancing to the WCF but the most likely scenario at this point(which is still too early) is another second round exit.
I'll be happy though if the Jazz can get to 3rd seed. I think they can take the Thunder even without homecourt. But avoiding the Lakers/Spurs until WCF is the bigger worry.
It will be tough to beat out the Lakers for a better record though. They are in the process of getting their act together and they might go on a winning streak soon.
Jazz have an outside chance of advancing to the WCF but the most likely scenario at this point(which is still too early) is another second round exit.
Lost_Jazz_Fan
Member
I would hope that their ultimate playoff goal would be an NBA Championship but that's just me.
Haven't you seen how the Jazz have played on their homecourt this year? The Jazz are going to have to play a couple of great teams to get out of the West. Right now I don't see them doing it unless they start playing better. Who ever wins the championship they will have to earn it because there are few easy roads to the championship.
memo is money
Active Member
The goal for the regular season should be getting a top3 seed,which is really tough to accomplish.The Lakers and Spurs are clearly the favourites to win the WEst but you cannot expect a team to lose some games intentionally to avoid another team. Hosting a couple of playoff rounds would be great for the Jazz, even if they have not convinced us about HC performance. Lakers do not concern me as much as Spurs do. They really struggle to focus on the games at this time of the season, which is expectable, however, their schedule was by far the easiest among any playoff team in the West. I, actually, would put Dallas ahead of LA in standings if they make a trade and send injured Butler. Dallas is also not as dangerous as Spurs. Their biggest weapon so far this season is great executed zone defense. With this scheduling, teams have very little time to work on specific areas of the game, to adjust to the style of opponent but come playoff time, everybody tries to play the weaknesses of the opponent. Also, I do not think Dallas has enough big time players they can count on.
I hope the Jazz will make their strides in terms of offensive and defensive improvement within the system and will give us confidence going to playoffs. Having said before, no team other than Spurs can be considered clear and indisputable favourites to win a series against Jazz, IMO. Get the HCA, win the division. That's all you can ask for for regular season. And, of course build a momentum and better chemistry as the playoffs get closer.
I hope the Jazz will make their strides in terms of offensive and defensive improvement within the system and will give us confidence going to playoffs. Having said before, no team other than Spurs can be considered clear and indisputable favourites to win a series against Jazz, IMO. Get the HCA, win the division. That's all you can ask for for regular season. And, of course build a momentum and better chemistry as the playoffs get closer.
David Stern
Well-Known Member
This was my thought as well.
jope
Well-Known Member
the lakers were just sporting a 7 game win streak until last night's stint with the clippers
Chad Feldheimer
Well-Known Member
I think their goal is to make the playoffs and if they get anywhere past the 1st round that's a bonus.
LogGrad98
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Kevin O'Connor interview:
https://www.otrbasketball.com/forum...with-utah-jazz-general-manager-kevin-oconnor/
Closed the gap a little bit. I would have loved to see somewhere in all his interviews some confidence or even affirmation that our goal is a championship. He and Sloan always have the same mantra: we are a competitive team. I can't wait for the mantra to change to: we are a championship caliber team.
https://www.otrbasketball.com/forum...with-utah-jazz-general-manager-kevin-oconnor/
Closed the gap a little bit. I would have loved to see somewhere in all his interviews some confidence or even affirmation that our goal is a championship. He and Sloan always have the same mantra: we are a competitive team. I can't wait for the mantra to change to: we are a championship caliber team.
The Thriller
Well-Known Member
This!
[video]https://video.yahoo.com/watch/1713260/5727956
Lets focus on winning the first few quarters against crappy teams.
Then we can focus on actually beating crappy teams and not losing to them like we did today.
Then we can focus on winning the first few quarters against good teams.
Finally, we can focus on actually beating good teams and succeeding in the playoffs.
It's all about babysteps. We don't just play half a quarter to lose to an embarrassingly bad Wizards team and then win the championship the next day.
Sean
Well-Known Member
The Jazz will slip into that fifth spot once again and remain there for the rest of the season. They'll then win their first round series and promptly rollover in the semfinals just as they've done the last two out of three years.
I've seen this movie and it does not have a different ending.
I've seen this movie and it does not have a different ending.
They are only like..what 8 games behind the Spurs with half a season to go? Nice job closing the gap KOC
The Jazz aren't wing a championship now or anytime soon. Not with how the NBA is currently constructed. We have to go over the salary cap just to be competetive in the regular season, and that's just to keep players that would be role players on championship teams. As long as teams like Miami and L.A. can stockpile these players with little effort considering their bottomless bank accounts, teams like the Jazz have to pick up the scraps left over and try to just compete and survive during the regular season. We might be a competetive team right now to some degree, but this is not a championship team. Not even close. We should temper our expectations accordingly.