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NBA.com power ranking quote on Utah Jazz post-break improvement

Against playoff teams post all-star break:

2013 Kings: -3.26 avg scoring margin, avg opponent strength of 0.631
2014 Hornets: -0.25 avg scoring margin, avg opponent strength of 0.597
2015 Jazz: +5.1 avg scoring margin, avg opponent strength of 0.623
 
See just by removing 1 game impacted the rating by a large amount. Small sample size.

More post all-star break stats to show that Utah's elite defense is not simply a product of a weaker schedule

Season average of points scored per 100 possessions by Jazz opponents: 101.6
Average points scored per 100 possessions against the Jazz: 93.7
Difference: 7.9

The Jazz, on average, are holding teams to 7.9 less points per 100 possessions than they typically score. Note that this comparison removes the "strength of schedule" variable, as we are comparing each team's normal output to their output against the Jazz.
 
More post all-star break stats to show that Utah's elite defense is not simply a product of a weaker schedule

Season average of points scored per 100 possessions by Jazz opponents: 101.6
Average points scored per 100 possessions against the Jazz: 93.7
Difference: 7.9

The Jazz, on average, are holding teams to 7.9 less points per 100 possessions than they typically score. Note that this comparison removes the "strength of schedule" variable, as we are comparing each team's normal output to their output against the Jazz.

I never said Jazz elite defense simply a product of weaker schedule. Just that they aren't historically elite that the stats originally showed.
 
I still think the Jazz need a more reliable scorer next year to make the playoffs.

BUT

Hood, Burks, and to a small degree Exum can help with that. Plus we have FA money.
 
What this team has been able to do after trading away one of it's better players (as many faults as Kanter has, he was still one of our more talented players), without receiving any players who have contributed at all in return, is extremely impressive- even more so when you consider the fact that they've done it with a rookie PG & without one of it's better players in Burks. It shows you just how good of a core Hayward, Favors, & Gobert is, not to mention how talented the supporting cast of Exum, Hood, Booker, & even Millsap, Ingles, & Burke is. Makes you actually consider whether or not they should "go all in" next year with a marquee FA signing & a major trade.

Considering the fact that pretty much our entire roster is young & under contract for the near future, there really isn't any reason to rush anything, but it still makes you wonder what this team could do with a PG that is ready to run an offense, another scorer, & the right veteran or 2 (& that's on top of the inevitable internal improvement that is certain to occur over the next few years).

I'm just happy to be a fan of such a well-ran organization. Without even looking at the rest of the league, I don't see how this team doesn't have one of, if not the, brightest futures in the entire NBA. Can't wait to see how it all plays out.
 
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I think we will see a mixed bag next year.

Pros:

Improved player development. Specifically Gobert, Exum and Hood.
Stability under Snyder. More time for the core to run SNyders D and O schemes
Chemistry within the team
Competent coach and FO. Utah isn't Sactown and Charlotte


Cons:
Young team = mistakes
Return to earth of the D as a result of the full schedule.

Having said all that I still think the Jazz will be a top 5 D and will be improved over this year as a whole. Next year they will be pushing for the playoffs. and I think they take the 6th or 7th seed.
Good points.
Charlotte had Big Al at his peak and then destroyed team chemistry by bringing in Lance Stephenson. Team shooting percentages are down, most notably at the 3. Kemba is their Trey Burke: horrible percentage, yet he has the most 3PT attempts.

AS for Sacramento, the team was playing very well under Malone to start the season. Cousins was actually engaged. Then he goes down and Ranadive decides to outsource the team.

Sure we MAY return to earth, but also don't forget Utah is the YOUNGEST team in the league right now. We passed up Philadelphia at the trade deadline by getting rid of Novak. Everyone has the potential to get better. Maybe Hayward just incremently, but everyone else a LOT. Burks comes back and we hopefully have Hood for the entire year. There is no reason, outside of major injuries, that the Jazz SHOULDN'T be a playoff team.
 
I never said Jazz elite defense simply a product of weaker schedule. Just that they aren't historically elite that the stats originally showed.

You can argue strong schedule, then weak all you want. But over 77 games...the ENTIRE season to date, the Jazz have allowed the fewest points in the league. Memphis has an outside chance of catching Utah by the end of the year, but they'd have to give up 54 fewer points (10/per game).

Utah will have played the same schedule as any other WC team. Yes, pace IS a major factor. But it's good to know Utah can grind out games even when the shooting isn't there. Utah is last in the league in assists. They're fifth worst in TO's. 18th and 19th in FG% and 3PT%. Just imagine what this team COULD look like with just a little improvement offensively.
 
You can argue strong schedule, then weak all you want. But over 77 games...the ENTIRE season to date, the Jazz have allowed the fewest points in the league. Memphis has an outside chance of catching Utah by the end of the year, but they'd have to give up 54 fewer points (10/per game).

Utah will have played the same schedule as any other WC team. Yes, pace IS a major factor. But it's good to know Utah can grind out games even when the shooting isn't there. Utah is last in the league in assists. They're fifth worst in TO's. 18th and 19th in FG% and 3PT%. Just imagine what this team COULD look like with just a little improvement offensively.

We also play the slowest...
 
We also play the slowest...

You can argue strong schedule, then weak all you want. But over 77 games...the ENTIRE season to date, the Jazz have allowed the fewest points in the league. Memphis has an outside chance of catching Utah by the end of the year, but they'd have to give up 54 fewer points (10/per game).

Utah will have played the same schedule as any other WC team. Yes, pace IS a major factor. But it's good to know Utah can grind out games even when the shooting isn't there. Utah is last in the league in assists. They're fifth worst in TO's. 18th and 19th in FG% and 3PT%. Just imagine what this team COULD look like with just a little improvement offensively.

Reading is fundamental!
 
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