J Smitty wrote:The problem with relying on SOS is that it leaves out a lot of variables. Doesn't take into account road games, or b2bs and such. Just look at the Lakers for instance. They've supposedly had the 10th hardest schedule so far, based on who they've played....but they have also had 17 home games compared to 5 road games, and only two b2bs. I hardly consider that cakewalk the 10th hardest schedule in the league.
At the same time...while the Nuggets have played more easy opponents, you really can't say "well they've just been beating up on crappy teams, and haven't played/beaten anyone good." On the contrary, most of Denver's losses so far have come against those easier opponents(Wolves, Clippers, Bobcats, Pistons), while they've beaten all the harder ones(Lakers, Blazers, Suns, Jazz, Spurs, Thunder). So to say their record is inflated because of who they've played really isn't all that accurate.
Wasn't trying to imply anything of the sort. In fact, Denver has had similar issues as the Jazz, having played much worse against bad teams than against good teams. The Jazz have played @Bos, @Cle, @SA, @Den, vsLAL, @LAL, vsOrl, vsPor, vsSA, @Dal and have acquitted themselves very well in every game but the Boston game, where they sort of hit rock bottom on the season, and while they had 4th quarter collapses @Den and @LAL, they outplayed the opposition up to that point. Meanwhile, they have had embarrassing losses/collapses at home vs Minny, Sacto, Houston and OKC and were beaten down @Minny.
Anyhow, not saying this or that about UT>Den, just that its an interesting wrinkle in the overall scheme of things. Not only has Den had the easiest schedule in the league, its by a
very wide margin, as their .423 is a full 30bps lower than the next lowest of .453. Meanwhile, the Jazz' SOS of .550 was only a mere 7bps higher than the next highest. In comparing the two records, keep in mind that the Jazz' mark of 14-9 is not far off from Denver's 18-6 record, meaning that excepting games in which the team in question effected the records of their opponents would not significantly change the difference between the two teams SOS.
While I find it extremely interesting, I'm definitely not ready to say that the Jazz are in any way a threat to win the division, let alone be a serious player in the WC, given the fact that we just punted a game at home to one of the worst teams in the league. This team is fatally flawed and has no future as presently constituted. Just thought it was interesting is all.
