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Nightmare scenario could be unfolding...

MDAV28

MDAV28

Well-Known Member
I generally consider myself pretty optimistic about the Jazz but I am seriously concerned about a possible scenario that could be unfolding for this franchise.

We all know the tough road the Jazz face to close this season. Clippers, Wizards, Spurs, Blazers, Blazers, Warriors, Spurs are 7 of the 11 remaining games. If that is not concerning enough, take a look at the Clippers remaining schedule. It is ridiculous. Knicks tonight then Lakers, Mavs, Kings, Suns, Lakers, Mavs, Kings are 8 of their remaining 12 games.

Clippers almost certainly will jump us, barring a (always likely) LA collapse or a Utah surge. That would put us 5th, and not in much different shape other than losing home court which I believe would be absolutely huge in that series.

Before we write ourselves in 5th though, the Thunder have found a rhythm. They have won 5 straight (until they ran into the Golden State buzzsaw tonight). They will be 2.5 games back with a balanced remaining schedule. They own the tiebreaker which is important.

Alright so possibly 6th seed. Many fans may believe this could be a decent matchup with the Rockets. And yes, the Jazz have played the Rockets well.

The nightmare starts when you look down one spot... to the dreaded 7th seed. Our counter parts the Memphis Grizzlies sit only 3 games back of us with games coming up against the Pelicans, Kings, Mavs, Lakers, Knicks, Pistons, Mavs.

Essentially, the SEVENTH seed is definitely in play for this team. Dropping "should-be" wins in Chicago and Indiana really hurts the Jazz cushion going into a very brutal finish to the season. The seventh seed of course, will most likely run into the San Antonio Spurs. Not an ideal first-round matchup for our largely playoff virgin Jazz.

Sure, a lot of things would have to go right (or wrong in the Jazz case) for the seventh seed to be where they end up, I wouldn't say it's probable by any means but it is definitely possible.

Limping to the finish line into the 7th spot and getting swept, or for the most part dominated by San Antonio could also make a certain player's decision to stay or leave a lot more clear.

Sitting in 4th is nice, beating LA last week for a bigger cushion was great. But the pressure is on. The Jazz have to start winning and winning now. The ship must turn around or a lot of dominos could fall that may really set the franchise back years with Hayward and Hill leaving in FA.
 
MDAV28 said:
I generally consider myself pretty optimistic about the Jazz but I am seriously concerned about a possible scenario that could be unfolding for this franchise.

We all know the tough road the Jazz face to close this season. Clippers, Wizards, Spurs, Blazers, Blazers, Warriors, Spurs are 7 of the 11 remaining games. If that is not concerning enough, take a look at the Clippers remaining schedule. It is ridiculous. Knicks tonight then Lakers, Mavs, Kings, Suns, Lakers, Mavs, Kings are 8 of their remaining 12 games.

Clippers almost certainly will jump us, barring a (always likely) LA collapse or a Utah surge. That would put us 5th, and not in much different shape other than losing home court which I believe would be absolutely huge in that series.

Before we write ourselves in 5th though, the Thunder have found a rhythm. They have won 5 straight (until they ran into the Golden State buzzsaw tonight). They will be 2.5 games back with a balanced remaining schedule. They own the tiebreaker which is important.

Alright so possibly 6th seed. Many fans may believe this could be a decent matchup with the Rockets. And yes, the Jazz have played the Rockets well.

The nightmare starts when you look down one spot... to the dreaded 7th seed. Our counter parts the Memphis Grizzlies sit only 3 games back of us with games coming up against the Pelicans, Kings, Mavs, Lakers, Knicks, Pistons, Mavs.

Essentially, the SEVENTH seed is definitely in play for this team. Dropping "should-be" wins in Chicago and Indiana really hurts the Jazz cushion going into a very brutal finish to the season. The seventh seed of course, will most likely run into the San Antonio Spurs. Not an ideal first-round matchup for our largely playoff virgin Jazz.

Sure, a lot of things would have to go right (or wrong in the Jazz case) for the seventh seed to be where they end up, I wouldn't say it's probable by any means but it is definitely possible.

Limping to the finish line into the 7th spot and getting swept, or for the most part dominated by San Antonio could also make a certain player's decision to stay or leave a lot more clear.

Sitting in 4th is nice, beating LA last week for a bigger cushion was great. But the pressure is on. The Jazz have to start winning and winning now. The ship must turn around or a lot of dominos could fall that may really set the franchise back years with Hayward and Hill leaving in FA.
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valid concerns dude ..
 
Like I said in the game thread, the Jazz cannot be losing games like tonight. Or Saturday.
 
I agree that the Jazz need to regain their winning attitude rather sooner than later. You are not winning anymore games with only Hayward and Gobert looking like they try their best. I cannot see too much of the characteristics of the Jazz basketball for the last few games so this road trip has been rough on us so far. Lettuce just shift the vector with our depth and youth. Come on guys where is the hunger?


I post, therefore I am.
 
Weird thing is most of the time we start terribru but eventually find a way to break through the lame start and make it a close game but simply unable to close out games. When I see the basketball that is played worrying, Jazz show me that they are more than that. The only thing to do is do it by being able to close out the games. Don't force it, be like water. Flow through it and put it in the hole baby.


I post, therefore I am.
 
The Jazz are 6-4 in their last 10 both OKC and Mem are 5-5. Even if the Jazz went 4-7 to finish the season both of those teams would have to go 7-5 for us to fall to 7th. If the Jazz go 5-6 they have to both go 8-4. If either of them finishes 6-6 then the Jazz would have to finish 3-7 to fall to the 7th seed.

No need to panic
 
3 defensive 3 seconds violations in one game means your focus has been dropped extremely. Things will not go worse, they will get better. Unless our guys stop battling and make boneheaded plays over and over again that is. For instance Hill looked hero balling the other day against Cavs I think and then he started off hero baller against Pacers too but then he realized how hobbit he was under the rim and started kicking off. Just use your head guys most of you can make that shot so leave it to the open one.


I post, therefore I am.
 
Not too concerned about OKC or Memphis catching us at this point but you're right that there's probably a good chance that the Clippers overtake us for home court in that series and that's probably a game-changer if that indeed happens. We do have six of our remaining eleven games at home which is a plus, however the Clips have seven of their remaining eleven games at home. Aside from the Lakers (twice), the Suns and the Kings (twice), I don't think their schedule is all that easy, as the Mavs (twice) have been on fire recently. The Clips had been reeling a bit before tonight so I think it could all come down to how the Lakers play them in their two remaining games. The Lakers are in full tank mode, everybody knows that, however they are also competing with the Clips for fans in the city of angels so I'm guessing they make the effort. If that is the case, they could help us out as they're really a lot better than their record indicates IMO.
 
Clippers still have games against San Antonio, Houston(Clipps have yet to win against this year 0-2), Washington (who already beat them), 2 games against the Mavericks(6-4 last 10 and are 1-1 against the clippers) and the Jazz. Also every team in the NBA drops games they should not. Clippers have lost a bunch already of those types of games. I bet they go 6-5 to finish the season. My guess is OKC does about the same to finish they have some hard games as well. If Jazz can beat the Clippers then they will most likely get the 4th seed or at worst 5th. There is an outside chance they drop to 6th but that is very unlikely and there is no chance the Grizz pass up the Jazz unless the wheels really fall off. Jazz usually bounce back after a few rough games in a row. Jazz are tired and the injuries really wear out the team and frustrate the team.

We are getting every back and all we have to do is beat Knicks at home, New Orleans at home, Sacramento, Portland at least once out of the 2 times and Minny. Also one or both of GS and Spurs will sit their starters against us. Icing on the cake would be to beat the Clippers or win one or more of the other games. Keeping in mind that the Jazz so far this season have shown that when we really need to step up we do. Just like we did against the Clippers last time and against Houston.

Also we only have 1 more back to back and it is against Portland. 6 out of our last 11 are at home and all of those are on nights we will be rested for.

The only team below us playing better basketball right now is Portland and they are not catching us unless we lose out and they win out. So all this panic is unnecessary, most teams are worn out and dragging to the finish line for the grueling season. The Jazz will step up and win the games they need to.

I bet we win at least 7 of the last 11 games which will lock up the 4th seed.
 
Ron Mexico said:
Clippers still have games against San Antonio, Houston(Clipps have yet to win against this year 0-2), Washington (who already beat them), 2 games against the Mavericks(6-4 last 10 and are 1-1 against the clippers) and the Jazz. Also every team in the NBA drops games they should not. Clippers have lost a bunch already of those types of games. I bet they go 6-5 to finish the season. My guess is OKC does about the same to finish they have some hard games as well. If Jazz can beat the Clippers then they will most likely get the 4th seed or at worst 5th. There is an outside chance they drop to 6th but that is very unlikely and there is no chance the Grizz pass up the Jazz unless the wheels really fall off. Jazz usually bounce back after a few rough games in a row. Jazz are tired and the injuries really wear out the team and frustrate the team.

We are getting every back and all we have to do is beat Knicks at home, New Orleans at home, Sacramento, Portland at least once out of the 2 times and Minny. Also one or both of GS and Spurs will sit their starters against us. Icing on the cake would be to beat the Clippers or win one or more of the other games. Keeping in mind that the Jazz so far this season have shown that when we really need to step up we do. Just like we did against the Clippers last time and against Houston.

Also we only have 1 more back to back and it is against Portland. 6 out of our last 11 are at home and all of those are on nights we will be rested for.

The only team below us playing better basketball right now is Portland and they are not catching us unless we lose out and they win out. So all this panic is unnecessary, most teams are worn out and dragging to the finish line for the grueling season. The Jazz will step up and win the games they need to.

I bet we win at least 7 of the last 11 games which will lock up the 4th seed.
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I admire your optimism, and if we manage to do what you are saying i will be bloody impressed with the team and your prediction.

I think it rests with Favors playing and being reasonably effective soon.
 
Assuming the Clips beat the tanking Lakers tonight, we will then just have a 0.5 game lead for the 4 seed. We then however play at home vs the Knicks on Wednesday and that is followed by a Clips road game at Dallas who's been playing well. So we could have the lead back up to 1.5 going into Saturday's afternoon game at the Clips. We should be quite rested for it and I'll leave it at that without making any predictions.
 
4th seed is already gone unless the spurs and warriors rest their star players as we play them in our last 2 games.
I've said it couple times. 5th seed is sooo meaningless.
It may sound stupid to some of you, but i'd rather be 7 than 5.
The best scenario is a verrrryyyy possible upset scenario vs Houston. I'm all for it.
4th seed is gone tho


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The 4th seed is what I'm worried about. And after these last two losses it's not looking very promising. The Clippers have an easier schedule and one more home game than we do. I don't think we'll drop to 6th or 7th but 5th is just as bad. We need homecourt in the first round.
 
fufo said:
4th seed is already gone unless the spurs and warriors rest their star players as we play them in our last 2 games.
I've said it couple times. 5th seed is sooo meaningless.
It may sound stupid to some of you, but i'd rather be 7 than 5.
The best scenario is a verrrryyyy possible upset scenario vs Houston. I'm all for it.
4th seed is gone tho


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I wouldn't say it's a forgone conclusion we lose the 4th seed. We are still 1 game up. The Clippers haven't been fantastic lately either and they are the Clippers, lol. It's possible we can still hold on to it. We just have to play better.
 
So what OP is saying is the 300 million dollar man Gordon Hayward and his sidekick 150million dollar George Hill aren't good enough to secure homecourt advantage playing next to arguably the best center in the league??

Nightmare scenario indeed..

Oh and they paid a lottery pick for Hill and he's gonna walk or run the price up a ton this summer?


Thought this thread was gonna be about cap concerns.....
 
OP has valid points but I'm not too worried. We should win 4 out of next 5.
And the rest mainly depends on GSW and SAS. Right now GB is 2.5 between them. If it's 4, i.e. the seeds are final, both SAS and GSW may rest their players in 3 remaining games vs UTA.
 
♪alt13 said:
The Jazz are 6-4 in their last 10 both OKC and Mem are 5-5. Even if the Jazz went 4-7 to finish the season both of those teams would have to go 7-5 for us to fall to 7th. If the Jazz go 5-6 they have to both go 8-4. If either of them finishes 6-6 then the Jazz would have to finish 3-7 to fall to the 7th seed.

No need to panic
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I'll reiterate, I never said this is a probable scenario, but something that is definitely possible with the records you laid out. Jazz frankly have a tough road, and I'm not quite comfortable "hoping" for a Spurs or Warriors game w/ rested stars. Even if that increases the CHANCE of winning it still doesn't mean we will win those games. Look at the Clipper game last year.
 
jjscap said:
OP has valid points but I'm not too worried. We should win 4 out of next 5.
And the rest mainly depends on GSW and SAS. Right now GB is 2.5 between them. If it's 4, i.e. the seeds are final, both SAS and GSW may rest their players in 3 remaining games vs UTA.
Click to expand...

We should have beaten either Chicago or Indiana as well. And Clippers should have had a better game against the Cavs. Sure, we control our destiny which is a lot better than the alternative, but as cliche as it is, games have to be won and it may have a larger consequence if we fall down to an early playoff exit.
 
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