Predict the Utah Jazz upcoming season

[BarneyGumble]

One thing I know about our franchise is that it is resilient. We were predicted to win 8 games in 2004, and we won 42. Us Jazz fans are the only people actually watching the team night in and night out....the national media doesnt really pay attention to us, they follow the narrative that we suck because small market, mormons, and whatever other nonsense they are biased about.

So I ask you, Jazz fans....what will our upcoming season really look like?

Thanks!

[AingesBurner]

46-36 and we might make the playoffs, thats how strong the west is right now, a 46-36 team may not be in the playoffs. Also we may do better, Rudy Gobert may just have an MVP and DPOY season, when was the last time a player won both?

[stitches]

I'm waiting to see the final roster. I will make a prediction when I see it.

[Jingles2]

Not sure you can be 42-42

[sipclip]

I went with 46-36 but I disagree with the explanation posted by Barney for that record. If we get Hood and Exum to step up along with a healthy Favors and Mitchell contributes at a high level then I think this team is a 50+ win team. Especially if Burks is somewhat healthy as well and providing added firepower. A healthy Favors with a Gobert playing the same as he did the 2nd half of last season would be a dominant duo.

[KqWIN]

I expect that there are still moves to be made, but the bench will be the determining factor. If the Jazz can get a couple of guys to be positive impact players through development or free agency I think they can get to the 46 mark.

[BarneyGumble]

Not sure you can be 42-42

Ha good call. Me flunk English too.

[Rauxcee]

Assuming the plague of injuries for this season has left us, 46-36 is my vote and fighting for the honor to be swept by the Warriors in the first round (which I'd almost rather take the draft pick then the 8th seed).

I see the west either being as tough as predicted, or shockingly under preforming. If for some reason the west under preforms and Gobert, Exum, Hood, take big steps and Mitchell contributes more than just being a rookie, I could see 50+ wins.

[tleikheen]

50 wins is possible :

If Favors and Burks come back strong and stay healthy
If Exum realizes and plays to his talent,Jazz need him to be really good
If Hood and Gobert take another step up in production,Jazz need scoring
If Mitchell can take his SL success and contribute at the NBA level
IF Rubio can shoot a little straighter as he enters his prime

My prediction is yes ,Jazz will win 50 games.

[Inigo Montoya]

Even if we'd managed to keep Hayward, I think 50+ wins would have been very difficult and unlikely to be achieved, due to the west getting stronger. As it stands, I went with 46 wins, which might fall in the range of the 6th seed and fighting for the 8th seed.

[Green_teamer]

I'd guess you guys go 45-37. I don't think you'll fall off a cliff

[Crunch 99]

ESPN's Kevin Pelton is out with early win-loss projections for all the teams. He has the Jazz at number 8 in the west with 44.7 wins:

1. GSW 62.1, 2. Houston 55.0, 3. San Antonio 52.6, 4. Minnesota 50.1, 5. Oklahoma 49.5, 6. LA Clips 48.9, 7. Denver 47.2, 8. Utah 44.7, 9. New Orleans 44.2, 10. Portland 43.8

"After losing Gordon Hayward, the Jazz have gone further toward emphasizing defense. In addition to trading for RPM favorite Ricky Rubio and drafting promising perimeter defender Donovan Mitchell, Utah added defensive-minded reserves Thabo Sefolosha and Ekpe Udoh. The result is a defense that RPM projects second in the league behind Golden State, with just enough offense to put the Jazz slightly ahead of other West playoff contenders."

http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/20225286/projected-records-win-totals-standings-every-nba-team-2017-18-season

[outerspacefella]

Voted 42-42; pretty sure that's a .500 record anyway you look at it!
41 wins would be an amazing accomplishment for this Jazz team.

[Crunch 99]

Voted 42-42; pretty sure that's a .500 record anyway you look at it!
41 wins would be an amazing accomplishment for this Jazz team.

As I recall, you voted for the impossible 42-42 record a couple of seasons ago as well!

I voted for the 46-36 option. Go Jazz!

[KqWIN]

One thing to consider with these +/- models is that they assume equal clutch performance. The Jazz are going to have a terrible time scoring in the clutch. Joe Jesus can't save us from that one. This team could underperform it's point differential by 5+ wins.

[stitches]

I voted 42-42... just cuz it gives me 2 chances to be right.

[dr0welf]

I have high expectations of this team. I feel when everyone plays as a team on both sides of the ball you give yourself a chance to win. We have better depth than last year, healthy team, and a flexible coach that will modify the offense to each players strengths. I might be a homer drinking the Kool aid, but I am all in. I feel we have something special getting ready to happen.

[DelaneyRudd]

I think the defensive emphasis will pay off and the team will be a 4-7 seed type.

[babyjax13]

I went 35-47, but I see somewhere between 35-40 wins as very likely. I like our team, but we aren't going to score the ball. I don't know if that style of play works in the modern NBA, but YOLO and I'm very intrigued and excited to see. Anything above my expectations is great (and honestly, below, too, because I love the draft process...but...). To beat my expectations we need 1) health/production from Favors, and one of Hood/Alec, 2) development from Exum, 3) Jumps from some of the new free agents (like George Hill and Joe Ingles last year). I don't think any of that is out of the question, but I do think it takes some luck for this team to make the playoffs. Just my take, though, glad to see so many fans optimistic.

[MeestR]

Upgrade at PG, added health, another years experience, and this generations Eddie Curry in small forward form is gone from the team. Everybody will be better if for no other reason than that players absence. Color me a homer this year. We'll be up with SA and Houston this year in the 2,3,4 spot.