Utah Jazz: Power Rankings Update

Let's take a look at where the Jazz are currently positioned in various power rankings.

The Jazz went 3-1 in the last week, with wins over the Hornets, Magic, and a blowout of the LA Lakers. Their one loss came against a streaking (and finally healthy) Heat team in Miami. As the Jazz look to continue their dominate play with a win against the New Orleans Pelicans tonight, let's see where they fall in the most recent NBA power rankings across the media landscape.

ESPN

The Jazz remain atop ESPN's power rankings with their 3-1 week. Mike Conley was snubbed from the All-Star game (and will probably go down as the greatest player to never be an All-Star) despite, as ESPN points out, posting the best net rating in the league among regular starters -- the Jazz outscore opponents by 16.6 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor. One case against Conley, is just how good the Jazz have been without him, undefeated in his seven missed games. Credit to Joe Ingles, who, per ESPN, "has averaged 16.4 points and 5.4 assists with .543/.492/.895 shooting splits in nine games (all wins) as a starter this season; his net rating in those games: 122.4." Jinglin' Joe!

Bleacher Report

For the second straight week, BR keeps the Brooklyn Nets at the top of their power rankings with the Jazz coming in at #2. Last week, BR expressed concern about the Jazz being able to maintain their 3 point shooting. However, that turned out not to be the case as the Jazz stayed hot from behind the line--per BR:

The Jazz lead the league in three-point attempts, averaging 42.8 a game, while ranking third in percentage at 39.6 percent. Utah is second in the NBA in wide-open three-point attempts, generating 22.2 such looks a game.

As the three point revolution continues in the NBA, it's easy to forget that it only makes sense to shoot a lot of threes if you are generating open looks and knocking down your shots. The Jazz are doing both. 

The Athletic

Like BR, The Athletic had the Jazz behind the Nets in their power rankings last year. This week however, they moved the Jazz up to number one and slide the Nets down a spot.

The Athletic called Royce "Buckets" O'Neale the X-factor for the Jazz. He doesn't get a particularly large amount of buckets but he has been the ultimate glue guy. He's leading the Jazz in minutes played this season. He's started every game. He usually guards the opposing teams best perimeter player. He is having his best three point shooting season (41.4%) while also increasing his attempts per game up from 3.4 to 4.1. 

He's also had a major factor on one of the most underrated aspects of the Jazz's season so far--rebounding. While the Jazz have generally focused on getting back on defense, this season they have put more pressure on the offensive glass. And despite being just 6'4" Royce has improved his total rebounds from 5.5 to 6.8 per game--specifically tripling his number of offensive rebounds per game from last season. He's averaging 10.2 rebounds per 100 possessions--an important statistic for a team that spreads the floor with shooters and doesn't start a traditional power forward. 

The Jazz are also ranked #1 in CBSsports.com and NBA.com's power rankings.

Statistics from basketballreference.com unless noted otherwise.

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