Are The Utah Jazz Ready For The Playoffs?
And three more pressing questions for the Utah Jazz as they approach the post-season.
A lot has changed in five years. May 7, 2012 was the last time that the Utah Jazz suited up for an NBA playoff game. That particular year, the Jazz finished 36–30 (lockout year)and squeaked into the post-season as the eighth seed. The Jazz were led that season by “Big Al” Jefferson and Paul Millsap before he blossomed into the All-Star he has become in Atlanta. They were relieved from guys off the bench like Earl Watson, Jamaal Tinsley, and DeMarre Carroll. They were coached by the scrutinized Ty Corbin, who took over after the Deron Williams-Jerry Sloan fiasco in 2011. In the first round of the playoffs they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs, in what was a blowout of a series, being outscored 345–409 over four games. How times have changed.
The Jazz currently carry just three players from that original 2011–12 roster: Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, and Alec Burks. They have brought in a new head coach in Quin Snyder. They have re-branded their logo, jerseys, and arena. They went from a consistent playoff contender to a re-building team that found themselves praying on ping pong balls for consecutive seasons.
On the backs of franchise staples Gordon Hayward and Rudy Gobert, the Jazz built through the draft and made the ever-difficult journey back into the realm of NBA relevancy. They officially clinched a playoff spot Sunday evening, securing what will be their first playoff series in five years. Amid all of the excitement and buzz surrounding the Jazz and their success this season, there are several pressing questions that need to be answered about this team and what we will see from them the rest of this season and into the playoffs.
Are they ready for the Playoffs?
What seems like a fairly broad question, deserves a fairly simple answer: yes. Obviously the organization, players and fans are thrilled to have the playoffs back in Utah after a five-year drought. But when examining the actual physical and chemical makeup of this Jazz team, are they really ready? The answer is not so simple.
Before adding veterans Joe Johnson, Boris Diaw, and George Hill this past off-season, the Jazz had just 33 total combined playoff-game experience between their roster. Take Shelvin Mack, whom the Jazz acquired in a trade last season, out of the picture, and that number shrinks to just 12. After adding those seasoned veterans this summer, the Jazz roster now has 317 games of playoff experience, which is a decent amount compared to other playoff teams. This experience will be an important factor once the playoffs begin.
Gordon Hayward and Rudy Gobert are clearly the team leaders, but neither of them have the playoff experience that many stars on other NBA teams have. Hayward was a part of the last Jazz team to make it to the playoffs as a rookie in the 2011–2012 season. Those quick four games are the only playoff games that Hayward has under his belt. That is more, however, than fellow captain Rudy Gobert, who has never played in an NBA playoff game. This could cause some hurdles in the Jazz’ playoff performance, especially when comparing them to other teams in the Western Conference who have been in the playoffs every year for the past several seasons.
Joe Johnson’s 101 games of playoff experience should be vital considering his role with the Jazz this season, as a big-time contributor in the clutch minutes of tight games. His veteran impact will help the Jazz both on and off the court as the prepare and play in playoff games this April.
The Jazz may stumble a bit at first, but the makeup of this team should give them a good foundation for playoff success. They are built around their defense, which is one of the best in the league. As defense always picks up in the NBA playoffs, expect the Jazz to take their’s to a new level. There may be some initial jitters or rough patches, but the Jazz are ready for their first stint in the playoffs since 2012.
Are they “tough” enough?
The Jazz have taken some fairly harsh criticism from fans and media this season after losing some big, important games and some not-so-big, important games. Their contending ability was stifled when they blew a double-digit second half lead to the Mavericks on February 9. Their mental toughness was questioned after a blowout loss at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 1st. It was also examined on their recent road trip, of which the Jazz lost three in a row. Needless to say, the Jazz have had their struggles this year, but understandably enough, given the injuries and lineup challenges they have faced.
Despite the criticism and scrutiny received in recent weeks, the Jazz have proven this season that they are, indeed, “tough” enough. They have gone without some of their most important players during key stretches of the season, and have still been able to secure a playoff birth and are currently contending for home-court advantage in the Western Conference. Jazz starters have missed a combined 83 games this season, which is plenty enough to make a weak team crumple to the bottom of the standings.
Utah’s injury report has rarely been empty this season, but the Jazz have battled these injuries all year long and still contended in or won most of their games. Teams don’t make it to where the Jazz have arrived this season, with the injuries and adversity they have faced, without some type of mental toughness.
Will they be healthy enough?
As much as player development, acquisition, and retention play into a team’s shot at contention, there is one more ultimate deciding factor; health. The best teams in the NBA each year are usually the healthiest. The Jazz have had their fair share of injuries this season, and it has taken a toll on their record and position in the standings.
Looking forward, how healthy can the Jazz get for the playoffs? Forward Derrick Favors, who is recovering from knee soreness, has participated in some warm-up and shootaround activity recently, showing assigns of a hopeful healthy return for the playoffs. Favors would be a huge asset to the Jazz if he could return to his 100% form, which has not seemed to happen yet this season.
All-Star Gordon Hayward was held out of Monday’s game against the Pelicans due to a right quad bruise sustained in Saturday’s loss against the Clippers. As the Jazz’ leading scorer, the Jazz cannot afford any missed time from Gordon Hayward. He has carried them offensively this season. Hayward’s injury is not believed to be serious, so it should not have any effect on his playoff performance.
Rodney Hood, who has missed a handful of games this season, is coming off one of his best performances of the season. Hood accredited his play due to his improving health and the fact that he is feeling better than he has all season. A completely healthy Hood is a great sign for the Jazz, and they will need his offense to provide depth going forward.
To have any shot at a deep playoff run, the Jazz need everyone to get healthy.
Can Hayward’s offense carry the Jazz through the post-season?
Gordon Hayward has blossomed as a star this season. He has led the Jazz in scoring all year long, and currently averages just under 22 points per game. He made his first All-Star selection, and represented the franchise well in the bright lights of New Orleans during All-Star weekend. He has been circulating in the deep end of MVP and All-NBA talks, and is one of the more fascinating upcoming free agents of 2017. Hayward has proven that he can carry a team through the regular season, as he did with the Jazz this year. There remains something to be proven by Hayward, and that is how well he can carry a team through the playoffs.
The Utah Jazz’ playoff hopes rely on his ability to produce offensively. Chances are if Hayward struggles in the post-season, the Jazz will not see the second round, or even game five of the first round. If there is one prominent weakness of the Utah Jazz, it would be inconsistent scoring and offensive flow. Hayward will need to carry the Jazz through these inconsistencies and help them, obviously, outscore opponents in the playoffs. If he can elevate his play and find a steady scoring rhythm in every game, the Jazz will be a tough team to beat.
Hayward’s ability to shoot from three will also be a deciding factor through the post-season. In wins this season, Hayward shot 42 percent from deep, compared to losses in which he shot 34 percent. This swing tells a concerning story of which the Jazz will hope to avoid. If Hayward struggles from three, the Jazz usually struggle shooting which leads to losses.
So, with all things being said, are the Jazz ready for the playoffs? Behind their defense and rising stars Gordon Hayward and Rudy Gobert, I believe they are. Come mid-April, the Utah Jazz will suit up for their first playoff game in five years. Can they answer all these questions when it matters? We shall see.
