Official 2020-2021 Utah Jazz Season Discussion Thread

[Crunch 99]

Our top two scorers from last season are still looking weak. Bogey hit zero shots from the field last night against the Suns. Donovan scored 23 points, but it took him 23 shot attempts to do it.

[Crunch 99]

Notwithstanding his very slow start to the season, Donovan's season eFG% is now a hair higher than last season's and his 3 point percentage is a 39.8%. His assists are over five per game. Go Donovan!

Conley is looking like the player we hoped we were trading for, and perhaps even better. Crossing my fingers that Conley can continue to be a key positive contributor for this team.

Bogey still has a ways to go to try to get this season's shooting percentages near his career averages.

[wco81]

Not off to a good start?

Tough crowd.

One of the hottest teams in the league.

So do you try to bring Conley back or at least try to preserve his salary slot to keep the talent level high?

Either Jazz re-sign Conley or replace him with good scorer.

That's assuming the Jazz keep this play up all season and at least get to the second round and be at least competitive if not get to the WCF.

If they do that, more incentive to keep Conley or his salary slot. Or fan expectations/pressure on the team, because it would be tough to let him walk if the Jazz do the best in the playoffs since the Stockton/Malone years.

Or maybe it's just a contract year thing and bringing him back is risky.

[Crunch 99]

Not off to a good start?

Tough crowd.

One of the hottest teams in the league.

So do you try to bring Conley back or at least try to preserve his salary slot to keep the talent level high?

Either Jazz re-sign Conley or replace him with good scorer.

That's assuming the Jazz keep this play up all season and at least get to the second round and be at least competitive if not get to the WCF.

If they do that, more incentive to keep Conley or his salary slot. Or fan expectations/pressure on the team, because it would be tough to let him walk if the Jazz do the best in the playoffs since the Stockton/Malone years.

Or maybe it's just a contract year thing and bringing him back is risky.

Maybe try posting this in the Conley thread below.

[Crunch 99]

ESPN Real Plus Minus rankings have started. The Jazz have two players in top 15 overall, with Conley at #14 and DM at #15. For PGs, Conley is #4 and Clarkson is #8. For shooting guards, DM is #3. Ingles is at #14 for SF. On Defensive RPM, Gobert is #5 overall and O'Neale is #14 overall.

In the past, Mitchell hasn't fared well on RPM rankings. For the 19-20 season, he had a negative RPM and was only ranked #51 for shooting guards and #187 overall.

Go Jazz!

http://www.espn.com/nba/statistics/rpm

[TNJazz]

How dominant are the Jazz so far?
Of the 15 wins, only 3 are by less that 10 points. OKC = Jazz by 1 away, Clippers = Jazz by 6 at home, and Denver = Jazz by 4 away. 1 of the remaining 12 wins is by 10 (Detroit away). The remaining 11 wins are by more than 10 points with several by 20+.

At Denver on Sunday will be a tough game especially if Fav's and DM are still out. Then Detroit at home (Semi road game due to travel), 3 games in 4 nights road trip, then 6 game BRUTAL stretch, home against Boston, Bucks, Heat, Sixers, then Clippers away twice. To me, this will give us an indication of the strength of this team. Having blown so many teams out will place a target on their backs for teams to measure up against. Exciting times ahead! Go Jazz!!!

[TNJazz]

Best record in NBA, target just keeps getting bigger. Since the Denver game here is how I look at the remainder of the first half of the season. the next 2 weeks, the Jazz will play teams currently ranked 2-6, then just for giggles, throw in the Eastern conference champs from last year, and a current playoff team (Pacers) on the last game of a 5 game road trip (I'm including the Detroit single home game as a road game, OK stretching slightly). Charlotte at home is the only possible relax game in this stretch, and we all know how Inigo labels those games (TRAP!!). Close out the first half of the season with a 4 game road trip. That takes us up to the 1/2 way point of the season. I think the two most important games are the 2 away games with the Clippers, a split would be huge for season ending seating.

Including Pacers game, the Jazz have 13 games remaining before the break. If they only go 6-7, not happening with this team, the record will be 24 -12. Pretty strong record considering the back half of the season.

Here is what they have after the break:

Eastern Conference = 11 games remaining only 4 on the road.
Of the 11, 5 are against current playoff teams, only 2 road games (Boston, Raptors), 6 lottery, 2 road games, (Bulls, Wizards). Of the top 4 teams in the East, only 2 games remaining in season (Boston on the road, Nets at home)

Western Conference = 25 games remaining (No remaining games with Clippers or Pelicans) 11 against current playoff teams, 14 against lottery teams.
I don't know how home and road games are divided up as I believe we play each team in WC 3 times.

Overall, I think the back half of the season looks favorable, and if they play above 500 up through the break, the team will be in terrific position to end up in the top 3.

Too much time this morning....

[red4hf]

Best record in NBA, target just keeps getting bigger. Since the Denver game here is how I look at the remainder of the first half of the season. the next 2 weeks, the Jazz will play teams currently ranked 2-6, then just for giggles, throw in the Eastern conference champs from last year, and a current playoff team (Pacers) on the last game of a 5 game road trip (I'm including the Detroit single home game as a road game, OK stretching slightly). Charlotte at home is the only possible relax game in this stretch, and we all know how Inigo labels those games (TRAP!!). Close out the first half of the season with a 4 game road trip. That takes us up to the 1/2 way point of the season. I think the two most important games are the 2 away games with the Clippers, a split would be huge for season ending seating.

Including Pacers game, the Jazz have 13 games remaining before the break. If they only go 6-7, not happening with this team, the record will be 24 -12. Pretty strong record considering the back half of the season.

Here is what they have after the break:

Eastern Conference = 11 games remaining only 4 on the road.
Of the 11, 5 are against current playoff teams, only 2 road games (Boston, Raptors), 6 lottery, 2 road games, (Bulls, Wizards). Of the top 4 teams in the East, only 2 games remaining in season (Boston on the road, Nets at home)

Western Conference = 25 games remaining (No remaining games with Clippers or Pelicans) 11 against current playoff teams, 14 against lottery teams.
I don't know how home and road games are divided up as I believe we play each team in WC 3 times.

Overall, I think the back half of the season looks favorable, and if they play above 500 up through the break, the team will be in terrific position to end up in the top 3.

Too much time this morning....

Nice analysis...... Much appreciated......

[Crunch 99]

I've really been impressed with the way our two backup point guards, Mitchell and Ingles, have stepped up in Conley's absence. It's only been two games, but Mitchell is averaging 31.5 ppg with 10 ast/game on 44.7%/45.5% shooting from the field. Ingles' assists haven't gone up, but he is doing a fantastic job in the pick n roll with Gobert, where Gobert is getting to the the free throw line when he doesn't finish.

We are even better with Conley contributing though, and I look forward to his return. Both Mitchell and Ingles are playing additional minutes per game and have additional pressure on them. Conley's presence helps spread out the contributions, minutes and pressure across all players. Go Jazz!

[Crunch 99]

Jazz's Mike Conley: Hamstring injury not significant
https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/jazzs-mike-conley-hamstring-injury-not-significant/https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/261464/Jazz-Optimistic-Mike-Conleys-Hamstring-Injury-Not-As-Serious-As-Last-Season

The Jazz don't believe the right hamstring injury that has sidelined Conley for the team's last two games is as serious as the one he dealt with during the 2019-20 season, Tony Jones of The Athletic reports.

Conley dealt with an injury to his left hamstring during his first year with Utah, sitting out 19 times in a 20-game stretch at one point. The veteran's absence was likely lengthened by returning before he was back to full health, as he aggravated the injury in his first game back and then was forced to sit out the next 14 contests. With that history in mind, the Jazz are content to take a cautious approach for Conley, who is being evaluated on a day-to-day basis but remains without a clear timetable to return. The Jazz should provide another update on Conley's situation Thursday, when the team releases its initial injury report ahead of Friday's game against the Bucks.

[D Rog]

I didn't want Conley in the first place and I believe many of us were opposed to him as a Jazz man. We all had multiple reasons (age as it relates to DM and Rudy as well as injury prone and the overall cost of the trade included as reasons). He did fit in nicely in the bubble and has had a spectacular year this year so far... I have become a fan. I still would love for the Jazz to somehow pick up a player like Zach LaVine. He fits the age of the team core a lot better and is a longer term prospect than Conley. At this point though, who do you give up and how does that impact team chemistry?

[Crunch 99]

The Jazz are only shooting 34% from three during Conley's 6 game absence versus 41% before, but the Jazz still won the 6 games by an average of 14 points. The Jazz held opponents to 105 ppg during the six game stretch, the second lowest average ppg any team held opponents over that stretch. The Jazz also outrebounded opponents by average 6 rebs/game and 2 oreb/game during the six game stretch. When the Jazz play D and the Jazz rebound, they can still win games even when the three ball is not going down at a good percentage. Go Jazz!

[TNJazz]

The Jazz are only shooting 34% from three during Conley's 6 game absence versus 41% before, but the Jazz still won the 6 games by an average of 14 points. The Jazz held opponents to 105 ppg during the six game stretch, the second lowest average ppg any team held opponents over that stretch. Jazz also outrebounded opponents by average 6 rebs/game and 2 oreb/game during the six game stretch. When the Jazz play D and rebound, they can still win games even when the three ball is not going down at a good percentage. Go Jazz!

Thanks for the insight! Bogey being off has hurt the 3 pt %. That combo of out rebounding and stellar defense with top 5 offense spells WINNIN!

[Catchall]

Jazz have 42 games remaining. The way they've been playing, they could finish the season 32-10 (.762), or better, and end up with a record of at least 56-16. To catch us and take the #1 seed, the Clippers would then need to finish their season 35-6 (.854) to end up 57-15.

Jazz have games remaining against: Sixers, Nets, Celtics, Pacers, Raptors (2) in the East, and Lakers (3), Nuggets, Suns (2), Blazers (2), Spurs (2). The Jazz could split those games 8-8 and lose a couple random games against the remaining lottery teams. More likely, the Jazz would go 10-6 or 9-7 in those games, if they're healthy. This would allow them to lose 3 or 4 random games against lottery-level teams.

Bottom line: I don't think the Clippers or anyone else is likely to catch the Jazz for the #1 seed.

[TNJazz]

Jazz have 42 games remaining. The way they've been playing, they could finish the season 32-10 (.762), or better, and end up with a record of at least 56-16. To catch us and take the #1 seed, the Clippers would then need to finish their season 35-6 (.854) to end up 57-15.

Jazz have games remaining against: Sixers, Nets, Celtics, Pacers, Raptors (2) in the East, and Lakers (3), Nuggets, Suns (2), Blazers (2), Spurs (2). The Jazz could split those games 8-8 and lose a couple random games against the remaining lottery teams. More likely, the Jazz would go 10-6 or 9-7 in those games, if they're healthy. This would allow them to lose 3 or 4 random games against lottery-level teams.

Bottom line: I don't think the Clippers or anyone else is likely to catch the Jazz for the #1 seed.

Nice work! We have played every team but 2 (Fakers & Raptors) on your list and have beaten all the others except Nets and Suns. With the 2nd win over the clippers, that really put the Jazz in the drivers set. That 4 game difference in the loss column is huge. If we can somehow take the season series from the Lakers, that #1 seed will be hard for anyone to take from them.

[Catchall]

Jazz have 42 games remaining. The way they've been playing, they could finish the season 32-10 (.762), or better, and end up with a record of at least 56-16. To catch us and take the #1 seed, the Clippers would then need to finish their season 35-6 (.854) to end up 57-15.

Jazz have games remaining against: Sixers, Nets, Celtics, Pacers, Raptors (2) in the East, and Lakers (3), Nuggets, Suns (2), Blazers (2), Spurs (2). The Jazz could split those games 8-8 and lose a couple random games against the remaining lottery teams. More likely, the Jazz would go 10-6 or 9-7 in those games, if they're healthy. This would allow them to lose 3 or 4 random games against lottery-level teams.

Bottom line: I don't think the Clippers or anyone else is likely to catch the Jazz for the #1 seed.

Nice work! We have played every team but 2 (Fakers & Raptors) on your list and have beaten all the others except Nets and Suns. With the 2nd win over the clippers, that really put the Jazz in the drivers set. That 4 game difference in the loss column is huge. If we can somehow take the season series from the Lakers, that #1 seed will be hard for anyone to take from them.

Clippers added another loss to the Nets yesterday. Lets say the Jazz go 30-12 over the next 42 games. Clippers would now need to finish 33-7 to overtake the Jazz. Philadelphia would need to go 35-6. Brooklyn would need to go 35-5. Seems unlikely.

[MTJazzv3]

Agree with the above by Catchall. Doesn't feel "right" with being a Jazz fan in the 20's but its really the Jazz proving out at this point as the #1 seed. (I say "feel right" because post Stock-Malone and the surprise DW led team, hope always bloomed large and then nada in the playoffs - that is like 3 decades at this point of tasting relevance). But the facts are on the table - Jazz are a dominant team in the league again and its not post-allstar break fluke.

[MTJazzv3]

I know its Bleacher Report but I thought this casual fan article that made it onto the CNN news feed today is a decent take on where the Jazz are now and why doubters may still doubt. Personally, I'm not to worried about "they've peaked to early" - us hardazzed Jazz fans (and Q and team), still see plenty of places the team can improve and they don't strike me as a team that thinks they can coast at half way point. The "playoff" toughness issue is valid based on the last several years - but again, this team has learned from past issues/mistakes with a vengance and I don't see the Jazz suddenly going soft in the playoffs. Thoughts?
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2933217-is-anyone-actually-scared-of-utah-jazz-execs-have-doubts-about-nbas-best-team?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial

[ForeverRDjazz]

Well well well. Clippers and Nuggets both fall tonight. Back to back great nba nights for jazz fans.

[AingesBurner]

I know its Bleacher Report but I thought this casual fan article that made it onto the CNN news feed today is a decent take on where the Jazz are now and why doubters may still doubt. Personally, I'm not to worried about "they've peaked to early" - us hardazzed Jazz fans (and Q and team), still see plenty of places the team can improve and they don't strike me as a team that thinks they can coast at half way point. The "playoff" toughness issue is valid based on the last several years - but again, this team has learned from past issues/mistakes with a vengance and I don't see the Jazz suddenly going soft in the playoffs. Thoughts?
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2933217-is-anyone-actually-scared-of-utah-jazz-execs-have-doubts-about-nbas-best-team?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial

I think they will kick some ass and they just need a take no prisoners tough guy, they are missing that right now.