Utah Jazz: Donovan Mitchell is ready to change the narrative in 2021-22

A healthy and doubted Utah Jazz team will be extremely dangerous in the Western Conference. 

After another early playoff loss, this time in the conference semifinals as the top seed in the Western Conference, it’s easy to feel like the Utah Jazz are being faded heading into the 2021-22 NBA season.

Although, as they return their top seven players from a year ago along with adding Eric Paschall, Hassan Whiteside, and Rudy Gay, an argument could be made that now is not the time you want to be fading this team.

Had it not been for injuries to Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley, the Jazz likely makes a bit more noise in the postseason and after the additions that they made during the offseason, this is a team that will be considered one of the deepest groups in the Western Conference.

Nevertheless, it’s unlikely that many will make this team one of the top contenders in the conference. After all, they’re the Jazz.

However, after somewhat of a disappointing end to last season, Mitchell and the Jazz will be looking to change the narrative on the franchise this year.

A healthy Donovan Mitchell is looking to lead the charge for the Jazz

In a recent interview with The Athletic (subscription required), Mitchell talked about his journey with his ankle injury and how difficult it became to play like his normal self in the postseason. He noted how he was healthy now and ready to make a run to the NBA Finals – one that he believed the team should’ve made last season before injuries took their toll on the team in the postseason.

And after watching the Milwaukee Bucks edge out the Phoenix Suns, it’s hard not to think how the Finals would’ve played out if the Jazz were healthy in their second-round playoff series against the LA Clippers.

Then again, there are several teams that could say that after last year’s injury-plagued postseason.

During the regular season, the Jazz was the best team in the West. It was a shame that we didn’t get to see this team fully healthy in the postseason. But Mitchell is making the case that the team is better for it.

When discussing contenders in the West, many will be quick to bring up the new-look Los Angeles Lakers, the Suns, and even the finally healthy Golden State Warriors. But the Jazz should not be doubted. They belong in that category, and perhaps should be at the top of it.