Last year, the Utah Jazz blew a 3-1 lead to the Denver Nuggets to lose in the 2020 NBA First Round playoffs. A season that was filled with high hopes, turned into disappointment. But things seem to be turning around for the Utah Jazz this season; as the Jazz currently stand in first place in the Western Conference with a 29-11 record.
So what has changed this season for the Utah Jazz?
Well let’s just say many players on the Jazz have stepped up this season. Donovan Mitchell has been leading the way for this team this season, having yet again a career season. Rudy Gobert “The Stifle Tower” averaging a double double and making another run at the defensive player of the year. Mike Conley finally settling in to his new role in Utah, making the All-Star game for the first time this year. Other players like Joe Ingles, Bojan Bogdanović, Jordan Clarkson, Royce O’Neale, all stepping up when needed to.
Quinn Synder has his team playing some of it’s best basketball since the Karl Malone-John Stockton days. The ball movement is stellar, they are shooting amazing beyond the arc, and they put away teams. This team just seems different than last year. last year, it was filled with some drama, and no one really settled in their role. With this team at full strength, they can clearly make some noise this year.
Why do I think they can come out of the West?
Well I know that there is a lot of things that can happen on the season, but I am confident that this team could possibly come out of the West IF they stay healthy.
Reason #1 The Phoenix Suns don’t have the playoff experience
The Phoenix Suns are having an excellent season. Adding Chris Paul was the piece they were missing on this team. Devin Booker having an amazing season, while Deandre Ayton making his case as one of the top centers in the NBA. But here’s the thing about the Suns is that, they don’t have the playoff experience. This team has not made the playoffs since 2010, and a lot of those guys are very young. They can definitely make some noise in the playoffs, but I can’t see them coming out of the West duet to the lack of experience.
Reason #2 The Los Angeles Lakers will have more pressure
The Los Angeles Lakers are once again going to be a strong favorite in the Western Conference, but there is going too be a lot more pressure on the Lakers this season. Being the defending NBA Champions, teams are going to want to take them down. And this roster is a stronger team than last year, but can they stay strong during the playoffs. And it all depends on Anthony Davis’s injury, if he is not healthy by playoff time. Lakers fans need to panic, because he is valuable member to this team.
Reason #3 The Los Angeles Clippers are very inconsistent
Last year, the LA Clippers I thought were the favorites to win the West last season. With Kawhi, Paul George, and a very talented bench. I for sure thought it was going to be them coming out of the West, but they blew a 3-1 lead in the second round. Ever since then, I have looked at the Clippers differently. The Clippers have a good team, but they can’t close out games in the 4th. Paul George can have a great first three quarters and then a terrible 4th. Kawhi Leonard can have a great game, but can sometimes disappear. They lack consistency, and when you do that you can’t be a favorite in the West.
Utah Jazz are legit team in the West. Strong starting five, strong bench, great coach, you don’t want to sleep on this team. They will make you pay and they will be ready to go come playoff time.
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