Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Power Rankings: HoopsHabit Holiday Edition

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 23, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) attempts a shot against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) attempts a shot against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 31
Next
Dec 22, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) and Utah Jazz center Enes Kanter (0) during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Utah Jazz beat Memphis Grizzlies 97 -91.Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) and Utah Jazz center Enes Kanter (0) during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Utah Jazz beat Memphis Grizzlies 97 -91.Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

24. Utah Jazz

Record: 9-20

Last Week: 3-1

Previous Rank: No. 26

For every team, there’s a reason for optimism. For the Utah Jazz, it’s the emergence of Derrick Favors, Rudy Gobert and Gordon Hayward.

Together, that trio could anchor the future of the organization.

Favors is presently averaging 15.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 blocks per game. Hayward, recently signed to a scrutinized contract, is putting up 19.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.6 3-point field goals on a slash line of .463/.367/.798.

As for Gobert, he’s managed to turn limited playing time into widespread appreciation for his upside. He’s averaging 5.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in just 18.5 minutes per contest.

That translates to per 40 averages of 12.3 points, 13.5 rebounds and 3.9 blocks.

It hasn’t been pretty for Utah as a team, but its won three of four and is only 6.0 games back of the No. 8 seed. Its immediate upside is debatable, but long-term, the Jazz could be special.

Pay attention. This team is fun to watch.

Next: A New Chapter