MDAV28
Well-Known Member
I generally consider myself pretty optimistic about the Jazz but I am seriously concerned about a possible scenario that could be unfolding for this franchise.
We all know the tough road the Jazz face to close this season. Clippers, Wizards, Spurs, Blazers, Blazers, Warriors, Spurs are 7 of the 11 remaining games. If that is not concerning enough, take a look at the Clippers remaining schedule. It is ridiculous. Knicks tonight then Lakers, Mavs, Kings, Suns, Lakers, Mavs, Kings are 8 of their remaining 12 games.
Clippers almost certainly will jump us, barring a (always likely) LA collapse or a Utah surge. That would put us 5th, and not in much different shape other than losing home court which I believe would be absolutely huge in that series.
Before we write ourselves in 5th though, the Thunder have found a rhythm. They have won 5 straight (until they ran into the Golden State buzzsaw tonight). They will be 2.5 games back with a balanced remaining schedule. They own the tiebreaker which is important.
Alright so possibly 6th seed. Many fans may believe this could be a decent matchup with the Rockets. And yes, the Jazz have played the Rockets well.
The nightmare starts when you look down one spot... to the dreaded 7th seed. Our counter parts the Memphis Grizzlies sit only 3 games back of us with games coming up against the Pelicans, Kings, Mavs, Lakers, Knicks, Pistons, Mavs.
Essentially, the SEVENTH seed is definitely in play for this team. Dropping "should-be" wins in Chicago and Indiana really hurts the Jazz cushion going into a very brutal finish to the season. The seventh seed of course, will most likely run into the San Antonio Spurs. Not an ideal first-round matchup for our largely playoff virgin Jazz.
Sure, a lot of things would have to go right (or wrong in the Jazz case) for the seventh seed to be where they end up, I wouldn't say it's probable by any means but it is definitely possible.
Limping to the finish line into the 7th spot and getting swept, or for the most part dominated by San Antonio could also make a certain player's decision to stay or leave a lot more clear.
Sitting in 4th is nice, beating LA last week for a bigger cushion was great. But the pressure is on. The Jazz have to start winning and winning now. The ship must turn around or a lot of dominos could fall that may really set the franchise back years with Hayward and Hill leaving in FA.
We all know the tough road the Jazz face to close this season. Clippers, Wizards, Spurs, Blazers, Blazers, Warriors, Spurs are 7 of the 11 remaining games. If that is not concerning enough, take a look at the Clippers remaining schedule. It is ridiculous. Knicks tonight then Lakers, Mavs, Kings, Suns, Lakers, Mavs, Kings are 8 of their remaining 12 games.
Clippers almost certainly will jump us, barring a (always likely) LA collapse or a Utah surge. That would put us 5th, and not in much different shape other than losing home court which I believe would be absolutely huge in that series.
Before we write ourselves in 5th though, the Thunder have found a rhythm. They have won 5 straight (until they ran into the Golden State buzzsaw tonight). They will be 2.5 games back with a balanced remaining schedule. They own the tiebreaker which is important.
Alright so possibly 6th seed. Many fans may believe this could be a decent matchup with the Rockets. And yes, the Jazz have played the Rockets well.
The nightmare starts when you look down one spot... to the dreaded 7th seed. Our counter parts the Memphis Grizzlies sit only 3 games back of us with games coming up against the Pelicans, Kings, Mavs, Lakers, Knicks, Pistons, Mavs.
Essentially, the SEVENTH seed is definitely in play for this team. Dropping "should-be" wins in Chicago and Indiana really hurts the Jazz cushion going into a very brutal finish to the season. The seventh seed of course, will most likely run into the San Antonio Spurs. Not an ideal first-round matchup for our largely playoff virgin Jazz.
Sure, a lot of things would have to go right (or wrong in the Jazz case) for the seventh seed to be where they end up, I wouldn't say it's probable by any means but it is definitely possible.
Limping to the finish line into the 7th spot and getting swept, or for the most part dominated by San Antonio could also make a certain player's decision to stay or leave a lot more clear.
Sitting in 4th is nice, beating LA last week for a bigger cushion was great. But the pressure is on. The Jazz have to start winning and winning now. The ship must turn around or a lot of dominos could fall that may really set the franchise back years with Hayward and Hill leaving in FA.