If the season ended as you’re reading this, the Utah Jazz would be the 6th seed in the Western Conference. No one in the league benefits from the season not ending today more than the Jazz
Here is why.
The Utah Jazz are one of four teams in the league that are top 10 in both offense and defensive efficiency rating. They get the job done on both ends of the floor. The problem is, they’re doing all of this while being riddled with injuries.
George Hill has been playing out of his mind (when healthy). He’s averaging 20 points a game, which his up 9 points from his career average. He is also adding 4 assists and 3 and a half boards to his production. But he recently got bitten by the injury bug.
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Rodney Hood has also been sidelined with an injury recently. Hood has been a great offensive threat this season with his ability to catch and shoot on the perimeter while also having the ability to take guys off the dribble and get into the lane.
Averaging 16 points a game on the wing, Hood is a guy that needs to get healthy in order for the Jazz to remain consistent.
Rudy Gobert is one guy that has eluded the injury bug in Utah. He has started all 25 games the Jazz have played this year, averaging almost 12 points and 12 boards.
His rim protection changes the entire dynamic of the Jazz defense.
Biggest thing that jumps out watching Jazz all week in person -- even more than on TV: Rudy Gobert got awesome. Playing with such force.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) December 11, 2016
Not only is he blocking close to three shots a game, but any shot that is put up in the paint from opposing offenses gets altered. They’re forced to make a tough shot over a wingspan that can almost touch the rafters.
So, imagine how big of a threat Utah will be with their starters all being healthy, and increasing their offensive and defensive production as a whole. Not to mention Alec Burkes hasn’t played a game this season yet and Dante Exum should be healthy very soon after resting his left knee tendinitis for a week.
Being 6th in team offense and 6th in team defense while being the most injured team in the league is mind blowing. The early NBA Coach of the Year favorite Quin Snyder is doing a great job of putting different guys in positions they’re not used to in order to succeed during this injury stretch.
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The best is yet to come for the Utah Jazz, and the rest of the NBA world needs to keep an eye on them.