**How could the Jazz improve drastically 2015-2016 w/out changing a single roster spot?***

[framer]

I think the Jazz improve pretty dramatically from this year to next year even before making any move, but its still going to be tough to get into the playoffs. As of now, they would be about 7-8. I'd easily put GS, Houston,LAC as the top 3. Lots to see in FA, but if LMA returns to Portland, Gasol/Randolph returns to Mem, and SA returns Duncan/Ginobili, they are probably ahead of Utah. NO is only going to get better with AD there. If KD is healthy alongside Westbrook they you have to put OKC in the mix too. Dallas will retool somehow as well and Phoenix will be in the mix. The west is just really tough. I have kept thinking that the Jazz are easily a playoff team with who they have now, but I'm not so sure. FA will tell a lot obviously. Hopefully they add 2-3 pieces (backup C, 4th Wing, backup PG) that can put them over the edge, and not just teetering around the 8th seed.

Dallas and Phoenix don't even scare me a little bit. Other than getting a new all star from somewhere, I don't see how Dallas can keep pace. There is no room whatsoever for internal improvement and lots of chances for things to get worse. Phoenix is going to max Knight. So there you go there.

Portland without Matthews is manageable. Fully healthy I think the Jazz are just as good a team right now without further development. I get the feeling that something is going to go sour in OKC and it really doesn't have anything to do with Kanter. I think if they hit any patch of adversity next year, KD and Westbrook will each have one foot out the door. I think our internal development will look good against New Orleans as well.

It is really difficult to quantify the Jazz next year. It is possible that we caught lightning in a bottle and that we are really on a Sacramento Kings level with a much better coach. On the other hand, I fully expect a 31 and 11 home record next year which is a ten game improvement. We lost way to many garbage games at home at the start of the season. That alone gets us close to 50 wins which should be good for a playoff berth. There will not be 8 Western Conference teams with 50 wins.

 

[tleikheen]

Jazz got the team right now to improve from within.....Gobert will get stronger,Hood will too

Hayward and Favors ,their knocking on the door to being really good

I think Exum,Hood ,and Burks get the most minutes with Burke getting minutes when he's hot ,not getting the minutes next year that he got even when he shot terrible

I think they need to get Kaminsky in the draft ,he's perfect with his deep range as a stretch4/5,partnered with either Gobert or Favors

But the Jazz rise with Exum.........and I think he comes back a 8 plus assist player and the confidence not showed this year in taking it to the basket and finishing.Exum's plus/minus is crazy good and the Jazz won twice the games he started than they lost ....proving to himself ,he's legit

 

[addictionary]

Best scenario: 6th seed. Rockets led by the Dream and the Glide have won the title coming out of 6th seed in the West in the season '94-95.

 

[sgjazzfan]

Dallas and Phoenix don't even scare me a little bit. Other than getting a new all star from somewhere, I don't see how Dallas can keep pace. There is no room whatsoever for internal improvement and lots of chances for things to get worse. Phoenix is going to max Knight. So there you go there.

Portland without Matthews is manageable. Fully healthy I think the Jazz are just as good a team right now without further development. I get the feeling that something is going to go sour in OKC and it really doesn't have anything to do with Kanter. I think if they hit any patch of adversity next year, KD and Westbrook will each have one foot out the door. I think our internal development will look good against New Orleans as well.

It is really difficult to quantify the Jazz next year. It is possible that we caught lightning in a bottle and that we are really on a Sacramento Kings level with a much better coach. On the other hand, I fully expect a 31 and 11 home record next year which is a ten game improvement. We lost way to many garbage games at home at the start of the season. That alone gets us close to 50 wins which should be good for a playoff berth. There will not be 8 Western Conference teams with 50 wins.

Yeah, but that puts us about 7-8 seed. Would like to see Utah do enough to get about 4-5 seed next year. I think it's possible to jump Memphis, Portland, OKC and NO, but will need 2 good offseason additions (the right draft pick and Tomic may be it) and battle for the 4th spot.