Utah Jazz Are Biggest Threat To Golden State Warriors In Western Conference

Why the Jazz may need to wait for an upset

While the Utah Jazz have all of the tools to pull off an upset, realistically this may not be their year. The biggest concern with the Jazz is the lack of a true No. 1 option. They have the ability to score by committee and have plenty of depth.

However, when things break down in the playoffs, you need a lead option that can get you points against a set defense. The Jazz don’t have that player yet.

It’s possible that the team trades for such a player. When you look at the depth they have, and young assets like Trey Lyles, they have what it takes to make a major move. It’s also possible that they experience enough internal growth to overcome the absence of a star.

Historically, teams like the Detroit Pistons have found nontraditional ways to elevate themselves to the level of a contender.

But it would likely be unrealistic to expect that much internal growth, this early in the process. In reality the Jazz are probably a couple years away from being a contender. But the pieces are in place and the team has good coaching.

The team is in a great position when you look at the leadership both from the coaching staff, as well as the veterans. You add that to a deep, talented team and they may just have enough to overachieve. Either way, the Jazz will be a force in the Western Conference moving forward.

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Right now they look like the largest threat to the Warriors, and they’ll only keep getting better.