ESPN's way too early 2021 POWER RANKINGS!

[Handlogten's Heros]

I give zero effs about preseason rankings

 

[Ron Mexico]

I’m not considering “people” and “their reactions or overreactions”. I’d defend the idea that, outside of all that noise of public reaction, the jazz exposed a fundamental flaw that will keep them out of the higher tiers. Denver may be too high on this list, but their offense has put them into the higher tier; and they have young and improving players filling out a depth that goes considerably beyond ours at the moment.

I know that is how you feel. I dont see it as dire as you. By far our biggest weakness was our depth. Replacing that goes a long long way. A solid veteran 3/4 and a Center would have been huge for us. We were also missing our 2nd best offensive player. We were also a very good offense, in the regular season just about the same as the nuggets. In the playoffs we were by far the best offense.

 

[NAOS]

I know that is how you feel. I dont see it as dire as you. By far our biggest weakness was our depth. Replacing that goes a long long way. A solid veteran 3/4 and a Center would have been huge for us. We were also missing our 2nd best offensive player. We were also a very good offense, in the regular season just about the same as the nuggets. In the playoffs we were by far the best offense.

And yet, our defense kept us out of the next tier. If we don’t fix that, it’s clear where our ceiling resides. And there’ll be some hard choices when it comes to fixing that (moving Mike to the bench chief amongst them). It’s certain that getting Bojan back doesn’t address the defensive inadequacies.

Denver will also retain a higher rank because they have the pieces to make a major acquisition that addresses their holes. We certainly don’t have that capital, so...

 

[Ron Mexico]

And yet, our defense kept us out of the next tier. If we don’t fix that, it’s clear where our ceiling resides. And there’ll be some hard choices when it comes to fixing that (moving Mike to the bench chief amongst them). It’s certain that getting Bojan back doesn’t address the defensive inadequacies.

Denver will also retain a higher rank because they have the pieces to make a major acquisition that addresses their holes. We certainly don’t have that capital, so...

I dont see our defense as awful as you do. I think it can be fixed with a little better depth and role players. Along with Rudy staying involved. Get Favors back and another 3/4 who can defend well and I think our defense is right back there. Ideally you move Mike for a better fit player, I think he still has decent trade value.

Denver can make some moves and get better, they do have very tradeable pieces. I dont really like their top two players that much though. But they have great role players all around. I think Denver got hot shooting at the right time. They are a poor 3 point shooting team usually.

 

[NAOS]

I dont see our defense as awful as you do. I think it can be fixed with a little better depth and role players. Along with Rudy staying involved. Get Favors back and another 3/4 who can defend well and I think our defense is right back there. Ideally you move Mike for a better fit player, I think he still has decent trade value.

Denver can make some moves and get better, they do have very tradeable pieces. I dont really like their top two players that much though. But they have great role players all around. I think Denver got hot shooting at the right time. They are a poor 3 point shooting team usually.

The problem with Favors and this hypothetical 3/4 is that it will be very difficult for either of them to be on the floor down the stretch of close games. Who are they replacing in the lineup? Also, getting Favors and retaining JC leaves a mere pittance for this 3/4, so he won’t be at the talent level offensively to get major minutes.

Due to the pre-Xmas plans, I’d put the probability of a Conley trade at less than 5%.

 

[Ron Mexico]

The problem with Favors and this hypothetical 3/4 is that it will be very difficult for either of them to be on the floor down the stretch of close games. Who are they replacing in the lineup? Also, getting Favors and retaining JC leaves a mere pittance for this 3/4, so he won’t be at the talent level offensively to get major minutes.

Due to the pre-Xmas plans, I’d put the probability of a Conley trade at less than 5%.

I'm not that high on JC. He wasn't helpful in the playoffs and I don't think he's that helpful overall. I want to re-sign him but mostly as a trade chip later. Depends on the situation at the end of the game and how players are doing. Favors or some other defensive/rebounding 4/5 can replace anyone except Gobert on defensive only last possessions.

As far as Conley goes I have no idea what the front office thinks. I think he has decent trade value but that doesn't mean much. We're likely to get a better trade for him at the trade deadline as well.