So the way this was supposed to play out was that the Clippers would end up in the 4th seed with Houston 5th. The Clippers would take out the Rockets in the 1st round, then the Lakers in the 2nd round. The Jazz would beat Dallas in a 3/6 matchup, then beat Denver in a 2/3 matchup and have a close series with the Clips in the WCF.
As it stands now, I don't mind if the Jazz fall to the 5th or even 6th seed. I think we can win a round. We'll miss Bogey, but Mitchell will be unchained, Clarkson will be playing for a new contract, and hopefully Rudy won't be pouting. Depending on the matchup, we might be able to get some mileage out of Niang and Brantley.
Lakers will have the #1 seed wrapped up by the time we play them, at least the 2nd time. They'll rest guys to limit risk of injury (See Davis, Anthony), and we'll get one of those games. We'll also pick up wins against Memphis, San Antonio and maybe OKC to go 4-4 or 3-5.
Jazz are going to look like a bunch of guards coming off Rudy screens and attacking the paint--Mitchell, Clarkson, Conley, Mudiay.