The 2016-17 NBA season is flying by and the Utah Jazz have already hit the 25-game mark. Here’s what I’ve learned about the team to this point.
Nov 29, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) and Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) celebrate after Gobert blocks Houston Rockets shot during the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Utah Jazz win 120-101. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Time flies when you’re having fun. And with the Utah Jazz actually having something tangible to play for this year, there’s been plenty of fun to be had in 2016-17. Even with a crazy early schedule and a nonstop bonanza of injuries making life difficult for Coach Quin Snyder’s team.
It’s kind of hard to believe, but the Jazz have already played 25 games this season. Before we know it, the midway point, the All-Star Break and the NBA Trade Deadline will be ushering in the homestretch of the playoff race.
So with things in Jazzland rushing ever-forward and the truth of the season becoming clearer, what have we learned? Who are the Jazz, where’s this ship sailing and what’s the best way to reach that destination?
Massive injuries notwithstanding, I can definitely point to a handful of things that have become pretty clear throughout season. So, at the risk of looking silly come season’s end, I’m calling my shots on all things Jazzy right now!
Brace yourselves — hot takes on where the Jazz are, where they’re going and how they should go about their business are coming at you after the jump.
Nov 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 105-91. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
10) Joe Ingles Should Keep His Spot When Alec Burks Returns
Joe Ingles’ career with the Utah Jazz so far is one of the league’s ultimate unlikely success stories. Once a training camp castaway from the Los Angeles Clippers, Ingles landed in the 801 and was quickly thrust into the starting lineup thanks in large part to an Alec Burks injury.
In the ensuing years, Ingles has capitalized on his opportunities, establishing himself as that gritty, blue-collar player and savvy vet that every locker room needs.
This season, Ingles was expected to see a reduced role on an overhauled Jazz roster. However, Burks’ injury has kept the door open for the Aussie. In response, he’s played some of his best basketball and been a key factor in multiple Jazz wins.
For the season, he’s averaging a career-best 6.2 points per game and currently ranks second in the NBA in three-point shooting at 48.4 percent. Looking beyond that stats, though, Ingles just makes things jell for the Jazz on the court.
Even if Burks returns, Slow-Mo Joe should be allowed to keep doing so. We’re all enamored those Houdini moves, but Ingles has earned a spot ahead of him.
Dec 10, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) works out prior to their game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
9) Alec Burks’ Impact This Season Will Be Minimal
While we’re on the subject of Burks, let’s be real about what we can actually expect from him this season. For much of last year, many considered his return the X-factor in a tight playoff race. Unfortunately, the comeback didn’t benefit him or the team and he was back on the shelf in short order.
I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news, but history could be bound to repeat itself.
Fans have waited with bated breath for the 25-year-old to break out, but injuries have been Burks’ roadblock time and time again. This year has been more of the same and, unfortunately, I don’t see him making a major impact when he returns.
The 14-ish points per game and 40-percent three-point shooting fans have come to expect from him would be a boon for the team at this point. But if you think that’s what you’re going to get from him after multiple surgeries and a ton of missed time, you’re probably chasing ghosts.
He may be able to find some minutes and make his presence known at the point guard spot should Hill’s health issues prevail. But Burks’ ceiling is low at this juncture and his wing minutes are better served elsewhere.
Dec 5, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder talks with guard Dante Exum (11) during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
8) Dante Exum Is Years Away From Popping
Let me be clear — I kind of love Dante Exum. Even after blowing up his knee, that combination of speed, size (6-foot-6, 190 lbs.) and length (6-foot-9 wingspan) makes the 21-year-old one of the more tantalizing prospects in the NBA at the point guard position.
Having said that, Exum is clearly years away from even beginning to meet with his massive potential.
It’s hard to hear, but the proof is in the pudding. He continues to shoot poorly (39 percent from the field, 27 percent from three), still doesn’t finish very well at the basket and has even been inconsistent defensively. On the whole, the Jazz are outscored by nearly five points per 100 possessions when he plays.
In other words, there’s a reason Shelvin Mack is taking his minutes.
I still love me some Exum. His ceiling remains sky-high and the Jazz must give him time on the court to develop. Nevertheless, fans looking for a quick payoff on the former No. 5 overall pick are going to be disappointed.
Nov 28, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) dribbles the ball as Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) plays defense in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
7) Gordon Hayward Is a True Superstar
For years, one of the biggest questions facing Jazz Nation has been whether or not the team could win big without a big star. And while the Jazz continue to be a team whose sum is greater than the whole of its parts, the truth of the matter is that they’ve actually found their star.
It’s Gordon Hayward (duh!).
When Hayward returned strong from a broken finger earlier this season, I said it was the new normal. In the ensuring weeks, he’s continued to prove me right. On the year, Hayward is averaging 23.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and nearly four assists per game. That’s probably the best Jazz line since a certain letter carrier was winning MVPs.
Speaking of which, in Utah’s game against the Kings, Hayward became the first Jazzman since Karl Malone in 2001 to score 20 or more points in 10 consecutive games.
That’s not just consistency. It’s superstar production.
Dec 10, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) and Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) battle under the basket in the first quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
6) Rudy Gobert Deserves an All-Star Berth as Much as G-Time
So if Hayward has established himself as a superstar, he probably tops the team’s list of All-Star hopefuls, right?
Not so fast, junior.
While G-Time has been one of the league’s star performers and steadiest hands this season, Rudy Gobert is the cornerstone of Utah’s identity and has really emerged as one of the Association’s handful of truly unique talents.
He’s been the talk of the town in SLC for years, but now the basketball world is taking note.
Gobert currently leads the league in field goal percentage and total blocked shots. He’s also in the Top 6 in overall win shares, defensive win shares and defensive box plus/minus. More importantly, though, in an injury-riddled campaign, he’s the one Jazz player who has consistently been on the floor and producing at a high level.
He faces stiff competition at the center spot, but he’s definitely shown he deserves an All-Star berth.
Oct 30, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) fouls Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Clippers won 88-75. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
5) George Hill Is Bound to Pick Up Where He Left Off
Perhaps the biggest story in the early season for the Jazz (besides the injury bug) is the performance of George Hill. While he’s appeared in less than half of Utah’s games, Hill has been lights-out when he’s been healthy.
On the year, Hill is averaging 20 points, 4.2 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game. He’s also been on fire from everywhere on the court, shooting 53 percent from the field, 46 percent from three and 88 percent from the charity stripe.
To say that the Jazz won the trade that brought him to Utah would be a no-brainer if he could just stay on the floor. The big question now is whether or not he’ll be able to sustain that same level of production once he returns. In my estimation, the answer there is easy.
Yes, unequivocally.
Hill is the perfect fit for Coach Snyder’s system and the Jazz have played their best basketball with him in the lineup, regardless of the players around him. If he’s right physically, there’s no doubt that he’ll continue to light it up.
Nov 28, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Trey Burke (33) dribbles as Sacramento Kings guard Ty Lawson (10) defends during the second half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
4) Jazz Are Still Better Off Without Trey Burke
Let’s take stock of the Jazz point guard situation, shall we?
First we have Hill, who’s played like an All-Star, but has barely seen the floor this season. Next we have the Ex-man, who everybody still loves, but is a long way from realizing his potential. Meanwhile, Mack is brilliant one moment, a trainwreck the next and Raul Neto hasn’t been given a chance to do much but wave his towel from the bench.
Having said all of that, the Jazz are still better off after parting ways with former starter Trey Burke.
Just as they were two years ago when Snyder benched Burke in favor of Exum, the Jazz have been stronger on the court in his absence. And while the Jazz are moving up the standings in the West, Burke is averaging 4.6 points in a career-low 11.6 minutes per game for the 9-14 Washington Wizards.
All of the talking he and his family have done make you feel better that he left. His inability to gain a foothold in the Wizards’ rotation and Utah’s success without him all but confirm that the Jazz made the right choice to move on.
Dec 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder reacts during the second half against the Miami Heat at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Miami won 111-110. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
3) Quin Snyder: Coach of the Year Frontrunner
Without question, Quin Snyder gave one of the league’s best coaching performances last season. Getting a squad stocked with unproven talent and beset with injuries to within one game of a playoff berth was nothing short of a miracle.
That said, he’s been just as good this year and the extra wins he’s getting now could put the Jazz coach in a position to pick up some year-end hardware.
The Coach of the Year trophy often finds itself in the hands of an overachiever. Snyder’s squad may have had a lot of hype entering the season, but the fact that they’ve stayed several games above .500 in spite of the injuries is definitely an unexpected achievement.
The bottom line is that Jazz are really good; not just when healthy…right now. Snyder and the rest of his staff deserve a lot of credit for their role in making that possible.
Whether or not he brings home the trophy remains to be seen, but for my money, Snyder is the frontrunner for the moment.
Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey prior to the preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
2) Dennis Lindsey Won’t (and Shouldn’t) Make Major Moves
Last month, Coach Snyder had a clever way of describing his banged-up basketball club, what we know about them and his hopes for the future. From the Deseret News —
“Hopefully the band will be back together,” he said, pointing out that the Jazz have only had one game this year where George Hill and Gordon Hayward played together. “We haven’t really established a band, so I don’t even know what that sounds like, but hopefully we’ll at least get some guys who know where to sit and what they’re supposed to do.”
The Jazz have given some games away and fans tend to look for change when things don’t go exactly as planned. But how can Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey make major improvements when he doesn’t even know what he has?
As Snyder says, the band hasn’t really been established, so it’s hard to know whether it needs more rhythm or more bass. A minor tweak here or there is always an option, but big-time changes shouldn’t be on the table until we’ve seen the squad at 100 percent.
The Jazz aren’t a perfect unit, but when we haven’t actually seen the squad as it was envisioned by Lindsey and Co., there’s no way of knowing how close to greatness they truly are. Lindsey knows this and, as a result, won’t (and shouldn’t) make any blockbuster deals at the deadline.
Unless, of course, he knows something about Gordon Hayward’s upcoming free agency that we don’t.
Oct 3, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) drives to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) and forward Ed Davis (17) during the third quarter at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
1) If Injury Woes Don’t Get Worse, Jazz Will Get Homecourt
When a team is dealing with injuries on a constant basis and different parts are frequently moving in and out of lineups, it’s hard to get a real good feel for what that team is. Again, see Snyder’s comments on the previous page. Nevertheless, a skeleton version of the Jazz roster has established itself as one of the league’s best units.
Assuming they continue on their current trajectory and don’t incur more injuries than they’re already coping with, they should find themselves in a nice spot come playoff time. How nice, do you ask?
Think home court advantage in the first round.
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Diminished though they are, the Jazz are one of just four teams league-wide that rank in the Top 10 both offensively and defensively. The rough early schedule held them back a bit, but as that begins to normalize, their performance on both sides of the ball should equate to more wins and a climb up the standings.
The No. 4 spot is well in reach and the Jazz have more than enough firepower to claim it.
Just imagine what they’d be able to do if they could ever get fully healthy.
