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The importance of winning the 3rd seed for this Jazz team

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deleted member 848
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Deleted member 848

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I've been thinking about things, and I think the key to a deep post-season run is finishing 3rd seed, ahead of the Rockets. As it now stands, we are 3 games behind the Rockets with a 34-19 record.

Let me explain why:


Step 1: Go up against the Grizzlies (current and likely 6th seed). I know we've lost the season series against them, but they honestly don't worry me. DFav being healthy cancels out the Zbo effect, PG is a wash, I take Rudy over Marc in any series. Our depth > theirs. Easy W. Only other team I'd prefer over them is the Nuggets. No thank you to LAC or OKC in round 1.

Step 2: We take on the victor between OKC and Spurs, a nightmare series for SAS given that their biggest hole is PG, they just lost against them last year, and the two bigs of Adams and Kanter will feast on them just like last year. Spurs likely win, but in a drawn-out series. We then take them on.

Step 3: Jazz take on Warriors.


Grizz --> Spurs --> Dubs is far and beyond the most enticing playoff trip for this Jazz team. We need that 3rd seed.

If we get the 4th seed it'll be Clippers --> Warriors. Likely out in the 2nd round, and a tough 1st round. I dont want to take on a motivated Chris Paul, or watch Burks chase Redick off screens. Give me the Grizz every time.
 
I always like to start thinking about this but there's just so much damn ball left and I also feel like all we're really doing is seeing who the best match-up is for the Jazz which is sort of a ***** mentality, so I'm gonna ignore this for now and revisit it in six 5-6 weeks.
 
I don't like the matchup with the Grizz. They are the one team that our length is not a serious advantage against. They also have length, that eliminates one of our main advantages.
 
The only real importance of it is hoping the Warriors lose in the 2nd round. The outcome is still really the same, you going have to play the Warriors.
 
I stopped reading at "easy victory against the Grizz" or whatever ish that was.
 
gregbroncs said:
I don't like the matchup with the Grizz. They are the one team that our length is not a serious advantage against. They also have length, that eliminates one of our main advantages.
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plus they know and use every dirty hold/grab in the book. They would severely out 'nasty' us.

I'm not saying I'd favor them in a series against us... but not fearing them is straight-up ridiculous.
 
The good news is the Jazz' offensive tempo is built for the playoffs.


The bad news is, with the exception of Hill, key players on the Jazz have collectively almost zero playoff experience.

Every match-up will be a tough one.
 
Also, you have to think that if the Jazz improve to the extent that they take the 3 seed, both Hayward and Hill would really want to stick around to see how things play out from here. With the 4 or the 5 seed I think it's still likely the Jazz re-sign both, but not quite as likely.
 
No offense, but I don't see us beating the Spurs in the 2nd round. They're still the Spurs, and know how to win in the playoffs.
 
The grizzlies are freaking good. And so are the spurs. Jazz probably win their first round series, but I refuse to believe any first round opponent will be easy this year.
 
b_line said:
The grizzlies are freaking good. And so are the spurs. Jazz probably win their first round series, but I refuse to believe any first round opponent will be easy this year.
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Minus the 1 v 8 matchup. Warriors breeze in 4. Beyond that every team is capable and touch.
 
I think he may just be saying that is a much better route than the 4 or 5 seed which I agree with. 3 is a lot better than 4. And I think 6 seed would be better than 5 also.

Memphis is definitely not "likely" to be 6th seed though. It could be anyone of Grizz, Clippers, Thunder.

Also I'd take OKC over Grizz how the teams are constructed now.
 
Most likely the best case scenario is us gettng the 3 seed and ending up with OKC>Spurs>Warriors
 
Jazz vs Grizz... I love Rudy but Gasol is a tough match-up. Gasol is playing as good as any big man in the league right now.
 
I think our bench depth gives us an advantage over the Grizz. Having Burks, JJ and Favors in the 2nd unit is our advantage. I think we'd win that series in 6.

I actually like our chances against the Rockets if we can get them in a series. Again, it's our depth while defense becomes a bigger factor usually in the POs.
 
Third seed would be awesome! But I would wish for Memphis to be the 4th seed in that case. Have no interest in playing Memphis first round. I would expect Memphis to beat the Jazz. They are one of very few teams that can outclass us at PG and C, and they have a defense on par with the Jazz. A potential 2nd round matchup of Grizz vs Dubs is wonderful for Utah (assuming Utah can do some winning in the playoffs).

Also, Marc Gasol is getting criminally underrated by everyone not named Charles Barkley. He is one of the best players in the league. He is usually the biggest guy on the court, and he's a playmaker.
 
I also would not mind playing the Dubs in the second round so the 4th seed is fine too. I want us to experience "the best" and what it takes to beat the best and in turn, be the best. I want to see if we can compete with that juggernaut and win one game, maybe even two. I think that would do more for our long-term confidence and success than getting the Spurs in the 2nd round, because in my opinion, the final obstacle in the West for the foreseeable future is the Dubs anyway so it's a great experience for us.
 
NAOS said:
plus they know and use every dirty hold/grab in the book. They would severely out 'nasty' us.

I'm not saying I'd favor them in a series against us... but not fearing them is straight-up ridiculous.
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"nasty"? A lame NBA buzzword. They're the easiest matchup for us.
 
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