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Stephen A. isn't sold on the Jazz being a real threat to the Lakers | First Take

The Jazz have thee toughest remaining schedule in the entire league. The Lakers have the ninth toughest.
You are aware the NBA still hasnt published the 2nd half of the schedule, right? The Jazz have the toughest remaining schedule of the already scheduled games. They will have one of the easier schedules after that.
 
I’m very confident about this team and it’s been a ton of fun but a lot of what they said is correct. We haven’t proven ****. The Lakers have. It’s a mega-star driven league. We don’t have a mega-star. I could totally see a game where they get all the calls. Where Gobert gets two bs calls against him. Where Lebron simply takes over. Where Davis simply takes over. And frankly, this is a better team than last year. Gasol, Harrell and Schröder were good acquisitions. And this isn’t even getting into playoff pressure which is a whole different animal and something none of our players have ever experienced beyond the second round. So it’s a helluva mountain to climb.

But I think we can win it all. I think we can. I think we can.
 
Really? Source? From what I've been hearing seems like we've had a harder schedule than both the Lakers / Clippers so far
You're right. The Jazz will have a very easy schedule after February. They've only scheduled the first 36 games of the season. Of those remaining games, the Jazz have a murderous schedule.

After that though it will be very easy.
 
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You are aware the NBA still hasnt published the 2nd half of the schedule, right? The Jazz have the toughest remaining schedule of the already scheduled games. They will have one of the easier schedules after that.

I was not aware. That said, would the website I used already have factored in those games as they might already know the teams and locations, just not dates? Idk.
 
I was not aware. That said, would the website I used already have factored in those games as they might already know the teams and locations, just not dates? Idk.

The way BBallReference calculates strength of schedule is averages out the current SRS (Simple Rating System) of each team on your schedule thus far.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2021.html - Scroll to "Miscellaneous Stats".

I threw the teams we're playing in the 2nd half schedule. as well as those of the Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets, and Suns, and average'd out their SRS's.

2nd half strength of schedule:

Jazz: -1.20 (would rank 28th hardest)
Lakers: 0.24 (would rank 12th hardest)
Clippers: 0.37 (would rank 10th hardest)
Suns: -0.02 (would rank 18th hardest)
Nuggets: -0.16 (would rank 19th hardest)

I think there's a real good chance we run away with the 1 seed. One thing I'm worried about is the Lakers dropping to 4th with AD's injury, and then having to play them at full strength in Round 2.
 
I was not aware. That said, would the website I used already have factored in those games as they might already know the teams and locations, just not dates? Idk.
No. That website specifically lists the remaining (scheduled) opponents. We’ve had something like the 10th hardest SOS. Thriller has a thread. Or someone does.
 
The things that could happen between now and the playoffs are truly a worry.

There's talk about:

* Bradley Beal and Rajon Rondo joining the Lakers.
* Andre Drummond joining the Nets.

So, the Jazz are playing great but having really proven anything yet is actually a healthy attitude. I'm glad the big media are around to help our players keep that chip on their shoulder.
 
The things that could happen between now and the playoffs are truly a worry.

There's talk about:

* Bradley Beal and Rajon Rondo joining the Lakers.
* Andre Drummond joining the Nets.

So, the Jazz are playing great but having really proven anything yet is actually a healthy attitude. I'm glad the big media are around to help our players keep that chip on their shoulder.

What assets exactly do the Lakers have to get Beal? Zero chance of happening.
 
I’m not exactly convinced that the Jazz are going to waltz to a championship this year, either, but I have to say that lending Stephen A. Smith, Lebron James’ personal hype man, any credibility is not something I am prepared to do.
 
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