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Are we really a contender?

Are we still contenders this year?

  • Yes

    Votes: 19 21.8%
  • No

    Votes: 47 54.0%
  • Yes, if we shake things up

    Votes: 17 19.5%
  • Don't care/wait and see

    Votes: 4 4.6%

  • Total voters
    87

LogGrad98

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Are we still a contender this year? Is this a bye-year and we will pick it all up again next season when we have a chance to re-tool a bit in the off-season? What is our realistic ceiling if we stand pat this year, or if we make a trade to shake things up?


Simple poll. are we still contenders?
 
Could we win a couple series and then have the most incredible injury luck ever? Sure... I think we are closer to a first round exit than a finals appearance.
My thoughts as well. As presently constituted we are destined for another 2nd round exit imo. And I am not sure there is any tweak we can make at the deadline to really move the needle.
 
I don't think so. To get to the finals we would most likely have to get past both Phoenix and Golden State and we wouldn't have home court in either series. That isn't happening. We can trade Ingles and a first and maybe get someone that will give us help with our perimeter defense but we're not going to get back a huge difference maker that's going to put us over the top.
 
Kinda. The chance is there. I don’t feel like any level is maximizing that chance, however (FO [though this is a somewhat pass because we don’t know what DA is thinking], coaching, players]) but the chance is there.
 
My mind says Nope but my heart still thinks if the Jazz could make a significant move then yes. Right now I do not see it happening but a lot can happen before the playoffs start. I do not think there is a clear real contender. I think there are many teams who have a shot at it but the Jazz need to get better on defense and start shooting better and more with more consistency.
 
lmao no

The Jazz will never make it back to the NBA Finals. I bet they don't even get to the WCF anytime soon, either.
 
The Jazz are contenders, but their path is narrow and they're vulnerable to teams with great coaching, switch-defenses, and competent stretch bigs.

It depends on matchups and who is healthy.
 
No. At heart they also don’t think they are. Donovan admitted as such a few days ago.
 
The Jazz are contenders, but their path is narrow and they're vulnerable to teams with great coaching, switch-defenses, and competent stretch bigs.

It depends on matchups and who is healthy.
This
 
I am in the same boat as a lot of people. I think we have a chance to win it all. But I think it requires more luck than any other current contender. If we do not improve before the trade deadline I think were gambling an opportunity away to win a championship. Just like last year.
 
I voted no and said the same thing last year. The truth is while Rudy is the best player on this team our championship aspirations rest of the shoulders of Donovan. He needs to mature and refine his game. I had hoped he would have made a better improvement this year but it is important to remember he is still (relatively) young. This is his 5th year. Lebron had a finals appearance in his 4th year, but didn't get back until his 8th year. He also didn't make the playoffs his first two years. Durant didn't see the playoffs until his 3rd year, had his first finals appearance his 5th year, and first championship his 10th year. Steph didn't even make the playoffs until his 4th year and won his first championship in year 6. We all know Jordan made (and won) his first finals appearance in year 7. Kobe (year 4) and Dwyane (year 3) each won titles relatively early in their careers but had the luxury of playing with prime Shaq, and Rudy is obviously no Shaq. Magic won early as well, but played with Kareem.

Most players need some time in this league to figure it out and to refine their game. While I am frustrated by Donovan this year and do worry that his size may put a ceiling on his potential, he is going to to keep getting better over the next few years.

In my mind, the team should really be looking at 2023-24 as their best shot for a title. That gives them this year and next to get more playoff experience, refine their game, perhaps change coaches, and to turn over their roster with some slightly younger, better fitting pieces.
 
As it stands, no. If a significant move is made before the deadline, possibly. We could *maybe* with some extreme luck beat PHX, But I’d put the odds at 30%. GS would eat us alive with little trouble. To be fair, I think they’re winning it this year, but still. With the way Ja Morant is playing, and our weakness being scoring guards, I’m not fully confident against Memphis either.

It’s frustrating, because the roster really isn’t that far off. 1 or 2 key upgrades, and I think we’re right there. But that’s easier said than done.
 
They need luck and probably roster improvements. My braves pulled off a miracle World Series win so Im not going to count the jazz out yet.


Sent from my iPhone using JazzFanz
 
No. We’re too short and unathletic. We have too many one dimensional players too, especially at our 1-2 positions. None of them want to do the “dirty” work of defending, passing, and rebounding.

I believe we’re a step below the suns, warriors, and potentially the Grizz now.
 
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