NBA Power Rankings: Hot or Cold Edition

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Jan 5, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) controls the ball during the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

24. Utah Jazz

Previous: No. 23

Record: 13-26

Last Week: 1-3

Verdict: Cold

At some point over the next two or three seasons, the Utah Jazz are going to be one of the better teams in the Western Conference. Quinn Snyder has installed an excellent and selfless offensive system that’s been a pleasure to watch.

In the short-term, wins are evasive, but the rapid development of Derrick Favors, Rudy Gobert and Gordon Hayward is beautiful to see.

Favors and Gobert appear to be capable of anchoring the interior for years to come with offensive and defensive balance. Favors is coming along well as a scorer, while Gobert is a dominant rim protector.

Hayward, meanwhile, is picking up where he left off in 2013-14 as one of the most well-rounded players in the NBA.

Utah’s yet to find a winning formula, but for a young team with a first-year head coach, this is incredible progress. The system is clearly benefiting the team and the players are coming together nicely.

Once the Jazz receive consistent production from the perimeter, they will make noise.

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