Jazz Roster Built for Regular Season More Than Playoffs
Despite being only one year removed from losing their two best players, the Utah Jazz have high expectations entering year two of the Will Hardy reign. In fact, ex-Jazz assistant coach Gordie Chiesa went as far as to predict that Utah is the sixth-best record in the Western Conference, but that may not translate to the playoffs. Chiesa made the claim on ESPN 700's The Bill Riley Show.
“I have the Jazz be in the 6th seed minus any crazy injuries. I have the Jazz winning 44 games.”
However, Chiesa made sure to point out these are regular season projections and not playoff predictions.
“I'm leaning towards more history as far as injuries now — again, regular season,” Chiesa said. “Everything changes. Nothing’s regular about the playoffs.”
Either way, it’s a rosy outlook considering how deep the Western Conference will be this year, but it is definitely within the realm of possibilities considering certain factors.
The Jazz have put together a roster where load management shouldn’t be as much of an issue compared to their competition. The Jazz only have two players over the age of 30 on the roster, with the majority of their players under the age of 25. Taking a peak around the West, the best players should continue to sit out their fair share of games.
Jazz fans can assume Lebron James, Anthony Davis, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, and Bradly Beal to pace their way through the regular season. The NBA has become a league where being healthy entering the playoffs trumps being a top seed.
Also, expect All-Star Lauri Markkanen to push to play at least 65 games this year. That’s the magic number that’s needed to qualify for All-NBA and the Supermax deal. With a new contract looming, Markkanen will be motivated to be on the court as much as possible.
Utah is also one of the deepest teams in the Western Conference and is better equipped to deal with the injury bug. Players like Collin Sexton, Kelly Olynyk, Ochai Agbaji, and Talen Horton-Tucker are all capable of being plugged into the role of a starter if asked.
Finally, tanking games should be a thing of the past, considering Utah’s status in regard to the 2024 NBA draft. Utah’s pick is owned by the Oklahoma City Thunder (top 10 protected). Expect the Jazz to be motivated to pay off that debt in what’s considered a weak draft class.
Keep in mind Chiesa’s predictions are based on projected load management and injury concerns. Where Utah would be ranked in a playoff scenario would be a different story.
“We’re going to recess again when the playoffs start next April,” Chiesa said.
That said, there shouldn’t be a huge difference between the sixth and ten seeds this year. Chiesa took note that most teams in the West will be in the playoff conversation.
“The West is loaded,” Chiesa stated. “Really, It’s unbelievable. That’s why it’s so important early in the season not to fool around and just hang out and not play defense in some of those home games. So the Jazz also have to establish themselves early-season on the road, and that’s a huge factor. Last year Bill, the Jazz were 14 and 27 bill on road games.”
It's going to be a fun year, any way you slice it.
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