The Utah Jazz are like that kid at school that everybody picks on because they are different, but then becomes just as successful, if not more, than everyone else.
In a league of teams that push the pace, shoot threes in transition and score north of 105 points per game, the Jazz know their limitations, and play to their strengths.
Utah is a defensive minded team. Led by Rudy Gobert, Gordon Hayward and George Hill, their three best players excel on the defensive end of the court.
The Jazz rank dead last in the NBA in pace, averaging just 91.4 possessions per 48 minutes, compared to Brooklyn’s league-leading 101.5. They excel in the half court, and wear down opponents defensively over the course of a game.
Many of the best teams in the league rank in the top half of the league in pace. Golden State, Houston, Cleveland, Washington and Oklahoma City play a fast up-tempo style, led by their elite point guards.
Interestingly, the San Antonio Spurs rank 24th in the NBA in pace, and have many similarities to the Jazz.
Utah is the number one ranked defensive team in the league, with San Antonio a distant second. Both teams rely heavily on their defence, which is led by their defensive player of the year candidates, Kawhi Leonard and Rudy Gobert.
The Jazz have a bench that does a good job of spacing the floor and creating open looks for their shooters. The likes of Joe Johnson and Joe Ingles provide instant offense off of the bench, similarly to Patty Mills and Manu Ginobli for the Spurs.
Despite their slow pace, Utah ranks 11th in the NBA in offensive efficiency, and have the fifth best offensive/defensive efficiency differential in the league.
What is not often talked about with Utah is their superstar small forward Gordon Hayward. He is recognised across the league as a terrific defender and an above average offensive player, but is not considered a star player by most.
To the contrary, Hayward is averaging 22.4 points and 3.5 assists this season, and has come up big for the Jazz in fourth quarter games. The thing that teams that play a slower pace in the past such as Memphis and Detroit have lacked is a genuine superstar. Someone they can rely on late in games to get the job done.
But in Hayward the Jazz now have that. They have one of the best scorers in the league, two of the best shooters in the league and the best defence in the league. They have a terrific coach and a strong home court advantage.
The struggle that Utah will face when playing the likes of Houston and Golden State over a seven-game series is having the series played on their terms. They can control the pace they play at offensively, but it will be a challenge to keep their opponents in the half court.
They may be one piece away from being a genuine threat to beat the very best teams in the NBA. But they also may have added enough talent and experience in the off-season to cause a major upset in the playoffs.
One thing is for sure, the Jazz have put themselves in a position to compete for their very first NBA championship.
Mushi
Guest
The rules on S&T according to Larry C's cba FAQ are below. Add to that the contract can only be for 3 to 4 years and the "max" is based on the team you play for so gone are the days of getting a bird rights max deal. So it really doesn't make sense for the player, you can't get more money and all you do is force your new team to give up assets and be restricted for a year. ----------------------------------- There is a rule that allows teams to re-sign their own free agents for trading purposes, called the sign-and-trade rule. Under this rule the player is re-signed and immediately traded to another team. This is done by adding a clause to the contract stipulating that the contract is null and void if the trade to the specific team is not completed within 48 hours. To qualify for a sign-and-trade, all of the following must be true: 1. The player must re-sign with his prior team -- a team cannot include another team's free agent in a sign-and-trade. 2. The player must finish the preceding season with that team (deals are no longer allowed that sign-and-trade players who are out of the league, such as the sign-and-trade that sent Keith Van Horn from Dallas to New Jersey as part of the Jason Kidd trade in 2008). 3. The player cannot be a restricted free agent who has signed an offer sheet with another team (see question number 44). 4. Starting in 2013-14, the team receiving the player cannot be above the "apron" ($4 million above the tax level) at the conclusion of the trade1, 2. A team above the apron can receive a player in a sign-and-trade if the trade reduces the team's payroll and the team finishes the trade below the apron. (this also means the team can't go above the apron that first season for any reason) 5. Starting in 2013-14, the team cannot receive a player in a sign-and-trade if they have used the Taxpayer Mid-Level exception (see question number 25) that season.1 6. The trade must be completed prior to the first game of the regular season (sign-and-trades are not allowed once the season begins). 7. The player cannot be signed using the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level exception, the Taxpayer Mid-Level exception, or any exception that cannot be used to offer a three-year contract (see question number 25).
express34texas
Guest
He might be one of the best two-way players in the league, but I still clearly don't see him as a top 10 player, which if you aren't even in the top 10, you have no business being named a superstar. I don't think the term 'superstar' should be thrown around lightly. Hayward has yet to win a game in the playoffs in 7 seasons, and just made his first AS team. UTA is going to have a tough time just winning the 1st round, then it's GS likely up next. RW, Harden, James, KD, Kawhi, Curry, Wall, Giannis, Davis all clearly ahead of him. There's several other guys I'd take over him, too. If he's lucky, he might make 3rd team all-nba. That's just not superstar level.
Justin Ahrns
Roar Guru
You're right in that the Spurs are on a different level to this season's Jazz. As for Hayward, I would argue that he is one of the best two way players in the league, so I would say he is a superstar, but not in the same league as Harden Westbrook LeBron etc obviously.
express34texas
Guest
Yes Jay, that's right about needing a top 5ish player to win a title. They have almost no chance until they do. Hayward/Gobert each have the potential, though. Hayward needs to up his scoring to at least 25ppg and be more of a beast on the boards. Gobert would need to continue to be a beast defensively, also increasing his already stellar rebounding, and average at least 20ppg. They have a solid a team in UTA, and could get through HOU and SA, but not also GS. I'm a bit confused with Justin giving Hayward superstar status though, which I'd only call the top 5-7 players at most. He's a solid player, but just made his first AS team, and barely at that. He's a star, but superstar? He'd need to elevate himself at least 10 spots for that claim. We've seen teams like UTA do well before, but not really win the title, unless something weird is happening in the playoffs and/or a down year for elite teams. 2004 DET comes to mind, but I still couldn't see 2017 UTA beating that DET team. 2014 SA was a great team and led the league in wins with 62, 2 distinctions this year's UTA team won't be able to say. They had a great player still in his prime(Parker), 2 aging but still productive future HOFers(Duncan/Ginobili), an upcoming superstar who outplayed James in the Finals(Leonard), a deep team, and arguably the GOAT for coaches(Pop). UTA pales dramatically compared to them. That SA team had nobody close to top 5 status and they're slightly an outlier for title teams, but they were a great team and look at all they had. 2011 DAL also comes to mind, but Dirk was right on the edge of top 5 status. His team meshed well in the playoffs, but needed James 'checking out' in the Finals to win. If James played hard and remotely like his normal self, MIA would've won.
express34texas
Guest
I think it's more than just DRtg only, but that's the stat to look at as far ranking teams, and they're only 3rd. All these other stats are incorporated into DRtg.
Justin Ahrns
Roar Guru
As a Bulls fan myself, I'd be surprised if Chicago gave up Jimmy Butler for the package you mentioned, purely because it lacks a genuine all-star or high draft pick. Yes, the Bulls would gain three solid players, but nothing you could build your franchise around. I could be wrong, of course. I'm also not sure how a Butler-Hayward pairing would wok. They have very similar games and it could be a bit of a clash. As for Utah's championship hopes, you are right in saying that it is very hard to win a ship without a top-3 or top 5 player. That said, the Spurs did it through great defense and ball movement in 2014, but I don't see Utah replicating that level of offensive efficiency.
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
I think history has proven over and over again that you need a top 10 (and probably top 3) player to win a title. But that's just not achievable for 27 teams. I'd say Gobert and Hayward are perfect second banana guys, who could both be the second best guy on a title contender. Can they find one more guy who is better than those 2? I think it's worth them going all-in on the opportunity to maybe get one. How good would Butler be here?? Could they get him for Favours, Exum and Hood? If so I'd say you pull the trigger, though it's a hell of a lot to give up.
Justin Ahrns
Roar Guru
Its an interesting thought for sure. All of their core players, including Hood, are signed until the end of next season aside from George Hill. I'm not a big believer in trading away all-star talent for draft picks, although acquiring Avery Bradley in a deal would suit the Jazz well. If they are able to lock up George Hill or if Exum rapidly improves (preferably the first one), I think they have the pieces in place to compete for a title with the core they have if they can add small pieces along the way, similarly to how Cleveland have done. The option of trading Favors is also an interesting one, although they might not get as much in return as they would like, and probably would deserve. Thoughts?
Justin Ahrns
Roar Guru
It depends on what stats you look at. They are first in points allowed (easily), first in points per shot allowed, second in adjusted field goal percentage and top three in pretty much every category. It does depend on what stats you look at though
Arky
Guest
It still happens very occasionally under the current CBA. Iguodala to Golden State was a sign and trade. But the rules greatly limit the situations under which it is both allowed and worth it to both sides and to the player.
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
Really, no sign and trades? I didn't realise that. And of course, you're totally right. But I'm pretty sure the Jazz would be able to offer him significantly more, from both a money perspective and an additional year. So a trade like this could be beneficial to all parties. It almost certainly won't happen, of course!
Rossy
Guest
Sign & trades have gone the way of the Dodo in the new CBA I'm afraid. Plus no way Boston gives that up if they can get him for nothing.
Jay Dunbar
Roar Guru
Utah is going to be interesting going forward. They have some tough decisions coming up with guys like Exum, Hill and especially Hood, who is almost certainly going to get max offers. Even if they are able to keep their core together, they might still not have a top-20 player. Can you win a title like that? History suggests no. They've put out feelers about trading Favours, but with the market for big men light on in terms of trade assets (look at the returns Noel and Boogie fetched) that might not be a viable option. If they retain Hill and Hayward (which they absolutely should and probably will), would they contemplate a trade for Hood? A sneaky option that I really like for them is a sign and trade for Hayward, to Boston. Stevens and Hayward have history, and if they could get the C's to pony up the Nets unprotected 2018 pick plus say Bradley, they could be set up for 8 years of contention. What do you think Justin?
express34texas
Guest
How is UTA the top-ranked defense? They're only 3rd in DRtg. They do lead fewest points allowed, though, but they're ranked #1.
Justin Ahrns
Roar Guru
Gobert is a beast defensively, and he has developed some good chemistry with Utah's guards in pick and rolls. Although I don't know that he could stop KD, Steph and Klay launching threes
Justin Ahrns
Roar Guru
Somehow Joe Ingles has become one of the best catch and shoot players in the league and it's great. Having Joe Johnson in fourth quarters takes a bit of pressure off Hayward, but you are right that his offense may not be enough. Exum has lots of potential, hopefully he can fulfill it!
astro
Guest
Never thought I'd see the name "Joe Ingles" and the phrase "instant offense" in the same sentence, but there you go! As for the Jazz...great team with good building blocks, but as long as Hayward is the star, they're not getting out of the second round. He's a great shooter and offensive talent, but he can't carry an offense by himself, and he's too often asked to do that by the Jazz. Their point differential is fine, but come playoffs, its hard to see how one of the worst scoring teams in the league is going to keep pace with the Warriors, Rockets, Clippers and Spurs. Having said that, if they can make a few more of the right trades, this team could be contenders, and don't sleep on Exum making a leap in the coming years. He's still only 21...
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
The Jazz are one team that could give GS fits in the post season. Well that was until coach Snyder came out overnight and said "Beal and Wall are the best back court duo in the NBA" don't think Curry and Klay will be happy with that. Jazz need to keep Hayward on the books for them to truly compete, which is a 50/50 bet right now thanks to the Celtics and Haywards connection with Brad Stevens (coached him at Butler). Gobert is DPOY this year which should be the first of his many Defensive awards in the future to come.