Defensive Question

[The Jazz Wonderbra]

I have had an on going debate with some friends about whether the Jazz will make the playoffs or not. We are on either side of a fence based mostly on injuries on our squad and what happens with Phoenix, New Orleans, Dallas, and to a lesser degree the Blazers and Wolves.

My question is when is the last time that an NBA team with a top 3 defense did not make the playoffs? How about a #1 defense? Do any of you fact-finding Carmen San Diego sleuths want to dig out the stat? I am assuming that it has been a very long time. I am also assuming that the Jazz have a high probability of remaining one of the league's top defensive squads.

 

[Miggs]

Defensive efficiency-wise...

The top seven teams made the playoffs last year. Indy was 8th.
The top twelve teams made it in 13-14 I think. Phoenix was 13th.
The top seven teams made it in 12-13. Washington was 8th.

Just some quick perspective.

 

[[size/HUGE] boobs [/size]]

Jazz are top defense with Trey Burke. Dante injury guarantees playoff spot. I have them 7th before Dante injury. 5th after because Trey and backup guard will backup defense with offense.

 

[The Jazz Wonderbra]

Anyone else find anymore numbers here to back this up? If the Jazz are a top 7 defensive team, the last 3 years would say we are playoff bound. I think we are going to get top 3 defensive honors.

 

[Ron Mexico]

Dante out is going to hurt our defense. But I still think Rudy and Favors can carry this team to a top 7 defensive spot. Depends if Burke, Burks and Hood step up and play good defense.