i think favors is a significant add to the team, but the “biggest” difference is that multiple players are a step up from last year. Conley is much better as we all know. If he’s open for three I assume it is going in and his pick and roll work is a delight to watch. Clarkson is much better. ( I often hold my head like Niang did last night in awe of Clarkson). Niang has more elements to his game now. I used to dread his entrance into game. Not anymore. Royce shooting the three is at super hero percentage. And spida is better. His step back stuff, his 3’s, his mid range shake and bake stuff, his assisting, is all significantly better. I do the Niang head hold at time on his play at times as well. And of course favors is better than tony, but favors app appears better than ever because his role suits him (no corer threes, no 15-18 ft pick and pop jumpers. He simply plays to his skills in the big scheme. Joe and Rudy don’t look all that improved individually. But they are thriving in the system in which was made for them. Both O and D are designed around Rudy. And Joe is our best playmaker (well this year Conley and Mitchell are now his peer). And finally Bogie is the only player who has regressed. He didn’t truly experience the enlightenment of the bubble whic I think occurred for the players: “we truly can be among the best if not the best” He spent time recovering rather than perfecting his game. And finally credit quin and org for getting each player and the system improved.
And on different but related note, this whole team improvement and team play is one reason (not the only reason) for the lack of media coverage for the jazz. 9 guys scoring 13 points each doesn’t sell as well as Harden scoring 50 a night. Or a season of triple doubles by Westbrook. You’d think the jazz would be a media focus right now. But no.... you have shaq and Kenny the jet making up metrics on why spida Mitchell isn’t a legit superstar.