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Jazz and the Northwest

Stoked

Stoked

Well-Known Member
Contributor
2018 Award Winner
With the recent moves by all the teams in the Northwest:

Jazz: Williams and Williams and sending out Harris
Minny: Signing Roy and going after Batum
OKC: Gettign lucky in the draft and going after Thabeet
Denver: nothing I can think of
Portland: Going after Hibbert, drafting Lillard (jackwagons)

Do you think the Northwest is stronger than ever? Do you think all 5 have a chance of making the playoffs? (NW teams, Lakers, San Antonio and Clips maybe?)

Thoughts?
 
I think at 4 of the 5 teams in the division will make the playoffs. The Wolves probably won't, but that could hinge on how much Roy is able to contribute and as we mentioned, how well Rubio recovers. Here's how I envision the standings at the end of the season

1. OKC
2. Denver
3. Portland
4. Utah
5. Minn

I think the Jazz and Blazers will be very close.
 
At this point:

OKC is the favorites to win the Northwest Division by a landslide without an serious injury to Durant or Westbrook.

The rest of the teams are in a pack.

Portland has one of the best players in Aldridge but not much quality depth especially among their bigs. But I wonder about this team with an unknown as a head coach. I believe that Indiana will keep Hibbert and the Blazers will keep Batum.

Minnesota on paper looks very, very talented in the paint. Love, Pekovic, D. Williams and Milicic is a pretty good frontline. But they aren't know for their defensive intensity or ability. If Rubio comes back 100% and Roy can play 20 minutes a night, then they will be battling for the last playoff spot. Assuming Batum returns to Portland they have nothing good on the wings.

Assuming Denver resign McGee and Chris Andersen takes a drug forced retirement Denver is going to be talent from top to bottom. They have the best point guard rotation and a strong wing rotation. Their big guys are inconsistent but talented enough to hold their own. Lawson, Andre Miller, Affalo, Corey Brewer, Wilson Chandler, Galinari, Faried, McGee, Mozgov and Koufos is a pretty deep and talented team. They don't have a superstar but with George Karl I expect they reach their potential again.

And last of our Utah Jazz. We are relatively weak at PG and on the Wings. We hope that Marvin Williams, Hayward and Burks can at least play even and that we don't lose too much at PG. Our big man rotation is as good as any in the league.

To me it will shake out like this:

OKC
Denver-because of George Karl
Utah
Minnesota-I expect their breakable players to break (see Rubio and Roy)
Portland-they just don't have the talent to compete.
 
I got The Jazz at about 46 wins right now.

If Favors, Kanter and Burks make quantum leaps I might go as high as 49 or 50; but with Jefferson as the main man on this team I just don't see a higher ceiling than that.

I got Denver slightly above Utah but within reach - they need to add some beef to their front court otherwise it will cost them.

Even with Hibbert, Portland has major talent deficiencies right now - I don't see them having a winning record. But they'll spend their way into competitiveness.

Minnesota has some interesting pieces; but collectively I don't think they add up to more than 40 wins and I don't think they'll stay healthy.

OKC is head and shoulders above everyone else. 60 wins is likely.
 
Gods, the NW division will be stacked yet again. Personally, the Batum signing going through would worry me considerably. This is nonsense, all 5 of these teams look like they're set to make the playoffs 2 years from now.
 
candrew said:
I got The Jazz at about 46 wins right now.

If Favors, Kanter and Burks make quantum leaps I might go as high as 49 or 50; but with Jefferson as the main man on this team I just don't see a higher ceiling than that.

I got Denver slightly above Utah but within reach - they need to add some beef to their front court otherwise it will cost them.

Even with Hibbert, Portland has major talent deficiencies right now - I don't see them having a winning record. But they'll spend their way into competitiveness.

Minnesota has some interesting pieces; but collectively I don't think they add up to more than 40 wins and I don't think they'll stay healthy.

OKC is head and shoulders above everyone else. 60 wins is likely.
Click to expand...

It'll be interesting to see how Jefferson does with all the shooters on the floor with him now though.

Could be good.
 
After looking at Portland's roster, I may have overrated them next year. A lot will depend on if they get Hibbert and how well Myers Leonard and Damian Lillard do. There should be plenty of minutes for both of those guys.
 
I do not coutn on any of the breakable players to break. If Batum does go to Minny I think they could be quite good actually. Portland is putting pieces back together and as mentioned will spend their way back into it.

Utah and Denver will be close and OKC is clearly the leaders of this hard division.

OKC
Denver/Utah
Utah/Denver
Portland/Minny
Minny/Portland

In 2-3 years this division will be insane.
 
mellow said:
Jazz could be a good team and still miss the playoffs.
Click to expand...

That is possible but remember that Houston and Phoenix are probably taking steps back. And Dallas is going to be much worse.

A quick look at Western Conference Playoff teams

1. OKC
2. Spurs
3. Lakers
4. Memphis
5. Clippers
6. Denver
7. Utah
8. Minnesota?

Portland?
Phoenix?


A first year coach in Portland is going to be a downgrade from McMillan. No Steve Nash in Phoenix.
 
Qman said:
That is possible but remember that Houston and Phoenix are probably taking steps back. And Dallas is going to be much worse.

A quick look at Western Conference Playoff teams

1. OKC
2. Spurs
3. Lakers
4. Memphis
5. Clippers
6. Denver
7. Utah
8. Minnesota?

Portland?
Phoenix?


A first year coach in Portland is going to be a downgrade from McMillan. No Steve Nash in Phoenix.
Click to expand...

I somehow forgot that the Memphis Grizzlies existed in the conference. Given that, there's no way every NW division makes the playoffs this year.
 
nightmare3983 said:
I somehow forgot that the Memphis Grizzlies existed in the conference. Given that, there's no way every NW division makes the playoffs this year.
Click to expand...

Same here which is especially bad since I lived there and like the team. Move Memphis to the EC and add a team in Seattle and Vegas.
 
Beantown said:
Am I the only one that thinks Utah will be better than Denver?
Click to expand...

I do as well. I just think that Denver will overacheive for another year and keep it neck and neck with Utah before we just pull out of their league and challenge OKC in the next few years.
 
As a logical homer, I like the jazz over Portland and Denver ( **** Denver ). I think they have a real shot at #2 in the division and possibly get 3-5 seed in the playoffs.
 
Qman said:
That is possible but remember that Houston and Phoenix are probably taking steps back. And Dallas is going to be much worse.

A quick look at Western Conference Playoff teams

1. OKC
2. Spurs
3. Lakers
4. Memphis
5. Clippers
6. Denver
7. Utah
8. Minnesota?

Portland?
Phoenix?
Click to expand...

Wow, Dallas goes from Championship to 7 seed to lottery? I don't think they are finished yet. Also Houston has like 10 forwards and no point guards--who can defend that? And GS has promised that they are going to the playoffs and there is no way that Bogut & Curry both get injured again this year.
 
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