Utah Jazz: 3 reasons they will make the playoffs in 2017-18
By Jason Oliver
2. We’ve seen this kind of team before
It doesn’t matter how good you are at scoring the ball; if you can’t stop the opposition from doing the same, you’re not going to win. Despite that, teams are increasing their interest in scoring the ball over defending it. The trend is growing as quickly as the Warriors set records. Teams like the Houston Rockets are responding, doing all they can to add points per game to their NBA Finals resume.
Super-teams are the trend, and of late, the winning formula. Durant and the Warriors, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, James Harden and his new Rockets teammate Chris Paul — they’re all joining forces with other elite players in the quest to win a championship.
The Jazz, on the other hand, are just super deep.
Michael Pina compared the 2017-18 Jazz to the 60-win 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks in his piece for Vice Sports:
"“What they lacked in elite individual talent, the Hawks made up for with a selfless offense that was impossible to game-plan against, and consistently competent in every other area.”"
That Hawks team spread the responsibility on defense and offense to be one of the biggest surprise teams we’ve seen in a regular season. There was no superstar or outright offensive leader. The 2014-15 Hawks played what was in front of them on the night and fed the hot hand. Pina adds:
"“No Hawks player on that team averaged more than 17 points per game. But three averaged more than 15 points per game, and six players averaged in double figures.”"
The Jazz have the team to replicate this model.
Gobert is an improving scorer, registering 14 points per game last season compared to 9.1 in 2015-16. They re-signed Joe Ingles, who is made for this slow-paced offense, hits three-point shots at 45 percent, provides a ball-handler in the pick-and-roll, and serves as the workhorse that can always find a team its best shot one way or another. Rodney Hood benefits most in this new-look team, becoming a primary scorer should he be able to shake the injury bug and see regular court time.
At point guard, Ricky Rubio should slot right in as a ready-made replacement for George Hill with young Australian Dante Exum more than capable of dominating with the second unit.
Joe Johnson, Jonas Jerebko, Donovan Mitchell and Alex Burks all add to the depth to ensure the Jazz avoid the second unit struggles that plague so many fringe playoff teams. There are productive players in every position, and should the Jazz finally be able to avoid an injury-riddled season, their depth will see them make the playoffs for the second season in a row.