Jazz Continue to be Ignored on the National Stage

ESPN and TNT continue to put the Utah Jazz on the back burner.

The disrespect continues to come in waves when it comes to the Utah Jazz. Despite being in the playoff conversation for most of the 2022-23 season, the Jazz only received two televised games on ESPN and TNT for the upcoming season. 

Utah’s home games versus the Phoenix Suns on November 17 will be on TNT while the road contest against the Los Angeles Lakers will air on ESPN on November 22.

The silver lining would be that it’s two more games than what TNT and ESPN gave Utah last year and NBATV has the Jazz scheduled for seven contests for the 2023-24 season. However, this may not bode well for Jazz fans when taking a peek at what other teams received.

The Lakers led the pack with 40 games (NBATV included) and the Suns have 37 games. The Toronto Raptors were ranked dead last with only three games scheduled while the Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, and Washington Wizards have four. 

The Jazz are going to have to make the playoffs if they’re going to garner more attention. Considering the oddsmakers are projecting Utah to only win 35 games this year, it’s about what was expected if we’re being honest. 

That said, From this point of view, barring injury, the Jazz should cruise to more than 34 wins. Considering the roster will be acclimated to head coach Will Hardy’s system, the Jazz should be able to hit the ground running out of the gates with the players, coaches, and upper management on the same page.

Also, with Hardy’s track history of player development, Jazz fans can expect the young core to be better versions of themselves as the season moves along. Pair that with the new additions of John Collins, Taylor Hendricks, and Keyonte George the Jazz could turn a few heads this year.

Let’s hope it’s a recipe to get more nationally televised games for the foreseeable future.

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