What will Ace Bailey bring to the Utah Jazz?

                                            (Credit: Getty Images) 

When the Utah Jazz selected Rutgers forward Ace Bailey with the No. 5 overall pick in this year's NBA Draft, there were a lot of questions about whether or not he really wanted to be in Utah. From what I've heard, it sounds like that was mostly his agent/representation causing the commotion. Something that should calm the fears of Jazz fans. With that drama now subsiding, Bailey has gotten to work and already seen some action for the team in Summer League. What I want to do in this blog post is share my thoughts on what he can bring to the Jazz. 

Upon watching some film, what stands out about Bailey is the physical gifts he has. He has tremendous size and length for the guard position. His measurements are bit all over the place, but in shoes, it's safe to say he's 6'9" and 200 pounds. He handles the ball well, has good form on his shot, and also possesses good moves in the post. In one Summer League game I watched, he had a nice turnaround fadeaway, something that not all rookies have when they come into the league. He elevates to the rim with ease and should thrive in transition. 

During his lone year at Rutgers, he averaged 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game on 46.0% shooting from the field, 34.6% shooting from 3-point range, and 69.2% shooting from the foul line. To put up those numbers in the Big Ten is impressive. He showed an ability to get after it on the glass and score at a pretty efficient clip while also being effective on defense. He is a legit two-way player with great physical gifts. It's no surprise he was drafted as high as he was. 

Like all rookies, Bailey I'm sure will go through some growing pains as he adjusts to the NBA level, but there is no denying his talent. As the Jazz look to build a championship level roster, Bailey absolutely has the potential be an essential building block for them to build their franchise around. The key will be for them to put the right pieces around him and give him confidence that he can win if he stays in Utah. If they can do that, they might finally be on the path to building a championship level team. 

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Can the Utah Jazz silence the haters?

                                                  (Credit: AP Photo/Karen Pulfer Focht) 

Over at NBALord.com, I wrote a blog post called "10 things to look for in the 2021 NBA playoffs." I led with the Utah Jazz asking the following question: "Can the Utah Jazz silence the haters?" Below is what I wrote. 

#1. Can the Utah Jazz silence the haters? Despite having the best record in the NBA, the Utah Jazz still have plenty of doubters and haters. Part of this has to do with the fact that the Jazz have never won an NBA championship and also the fact that relative to other superstars, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert kinda fly under the radar. This is in part because they play in Utah but also because a big reason for the Jazz' success is the fact that they don't overly rely on Mitchell and Gobert. This is why they were able to hang onto the best record in the NBA despite Mitchell being out for approximately one month due to an ankle injury. 

While they lack the star power that most top seeds usually have, the Jazz do make it up with their depth and unselfishness. They know how to play as a team and how to play off each other's strengths to maximize what they have. 

Donovan Mitchell has been averaging 26.4 points, 5.2 assists, and 1.0 steals per game on the season, so by no means can they win the title without him. They absolutely need him healthy. If he's able to go with little issues, the Jazz could shock the world and win the NBA title. They play basketball the right way, have a great home court advantage, and I also think they're motivated by the fact that everyone is counting them out.

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Are the Utah Jazz really for real this year?

 

                                             (Credit: Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) 

The Utah Jazz are currently 15-5, just half a game back of the 16-5 Los Angeles Clippers for best record in the NBA. They are also tied with the 16-6 Los Angeles Lakers, currently ahead of them in the standings via winning percentage. Before Sunday's 117-128 loss at Denver, the Jazz had won 11 straight games and were absolutely on fire. This isn't the first time this current Jazz squad has put together a hot run and it won't be the last. However, come playoff time, they historically have been unable to put it together. The question that I am going to address is whether or not we can realistically expect this year to be any different than what we've seen in the past. 

On the positive side, everyone on this Jazz team seems to be getting better. Donovan Mitchell (22.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists) is getting more comfortable in his role as the alpha dog on this Jazz team and the pieces around him likewise have improved. Jordan Clarkson (17.7 points) has become the #2 scoring option on this team, Mike Conley (16.6 points and 6.2 assists) is averaging more points and assists per game than he did last season with the Jazz, Bojan Bogdanovic (14.7 points) is healthy, and while his scoring is a little bit down from years past, Rudy Gobert (13.5 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks) is averaging career highs in both rebounds and blocks per game. So long as they continue to get better, it stands to reason that they in turn should do better in the playoffs. 

To be skeptical, it's still really early in the season. The Western Conference is stacked and while everyone on this Jazz team is getting better, it's hard to pick the Jazz to do better than the Lakers, Clippers, and even Nuggets, who are all further down the road in their development while also possessing more talent at the top. Odds say that when we look at the final standings, the Jazz will probably be a top four team, but unlikely to be the top team in the Western Conference. And even if they do finish at the top of the standings, if push comes to shove, I'd still likely pick the Lakers to beat them in a seven game series. 

That all said, if the Jazz can secure home court advantage through the Western Conference Finals or better yet, NBA Finals, the only team out West who I think would be slightly favored over them is the Lakers. I do think that the Jazz would be favored to beat the Clippers and Nuggets should they finish with a better record. The Nuggets are in a similar boat as the Jazz, eager to take that next step, but yet to do so. The Clippers, for all their talent are still the Clippers and unproven as a squad in terms of their championship resolve. The Lakers on the other hand are the defending champions and LeBron James has shown he knows what it takes to win a championship. 

Ultimately, are the Jazz really for real this year? I think it's still too early to say. There's obviously a lot of reasons for optimism, but given where we are at in the season, there's still a lot of basketball to be played and we are far from seeing how the final standings will shake out. 

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Remembering Jerry Sloan

                                         (Credit: Bob Leverone/Getty Images) 

On Friday, the basketball world lost a legend in 78 year-old Jerry Sloan, who averaged 14.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game during his 11-year NBA playing career, 10 of which were spent with the Chicago Bulls. Sloan was drafted 4th overall in the 1965 NBA draft by the Baltimore Bullets before getting selected by the Bulls in the 1966 NBA expansion draft one year later. As a result of being selected by the Bulls in their first season, Sloan received the nickname "The Original Bull." Sloan would go on to make two All-Star teams and six All-Defensive teams with the Bulls, becoming one of the franchise's most iconic players and the first to have his jersey retired (#4).

Known for his toughness and grit, Sloan epitomized what it means to come from the Midwest (McLeansboro, Illinois). He did all the things that a lot of today's players don't want to do: He played defense, he rebounded, he fouled hard, and he never backed down to anyone. Players like Jerry Sloan are a rare breed nowadays and with him no longer with us, it feels like the end of an era.

After a stellar playing career, Sloan took a shot at coaching. After three bumpy seasons as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1979-1982, Sloan joined the Utah Jazz as an assistant under then head coach Frank Layden. After spending four seasons on Layden's staff, Sloan took over the reins in the 1988-89 season. From then on, the rest was history as they say.

During his 23 years as head coach of the Utah Jazz, Sloan had a coaching career that earned him a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame alongside his two best players, John Stockton and Karl Malone. Together, the trio would take the Utah franchise to new heights, culminating in back-to-back trips to the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998 where they lost to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, Sloan's former team. Sloan finished his career with 1221 wins, 1127 of which came with the Jazz. Sloan is the 4th winningest coach in NBA history and without a doubt the greatest coach to never win an NBA championship.

The loss of Sloan is dear to my heart because I grew up as a fan of the Utah Jazz. I have fond memories watching Sloan's teams battle in the playoffs. I remember the shot that John Stockton hit to send the Jazz to the NBA Finals in Houston and the look of sheer jubilation on Sloan's face. Those were the teams that first got me interested in basketball.

What stood out to me the most about Sloan during those days was his competitiveness and how much he backed his players. Getting ejected from games felt like a regular occurrence for him as he would loosen his tie and blow up at the refs for a call that they missed or for no reason other than that he just felt like popping off. At the same time, he was always classy in defeat and knew how to connect with his fellow man.

In the end, Jerry Sloan became much more than a great basketball coach. He became an icon in the state of Utah for the way he connected with the state and the passionate Jazz fan base. He gave it his all and demanded the same from his players. He will truly be missed.

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The Utah Jazz are on fire

                                          (Credit: Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune) 

The two hottest teams in the NBA right now are the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz, who have both won nine games in a row. I've blogged a lot about the Lakers this season, so it's time for me to focus on the Jazz. At the moment, the Jazz are 27-12, putting them at third place in the Western Conference standings.

During this nine game winning streak, the Jazz have posted the following results (home in bold; road in italics): Jazz 121 Trail Blazers 115. Jazz 120 Clippers 107. Jazz 104 Pistons 81. Jazz 102 Bulls 98. Jazz 109 Magic 96. Jazz 128 Pelicans 126. Jazz 128 Knicks 104. Jazz 109 Hornets 92. Jazz 127 Wizards 116.

As you can see, the Jazz have won most of these games away from Salt Lake City, which is scary considering the fact that they are historically not a very good road team. On that note, the Jazz are now 15-3 at home on the season and 12-9 on the road. If they can keep up their success on the road and continue to dominate at home, they'll be serious contenders come April, May, and possibly June.

What's made this streak all the more impressive is the fact that the Jazz are doing this without their big offseason acquisition Mike Conley (13.6 points and 4.6 assists), who is out indefinitely with a hamstring injury. This is truly a testament to their depth and versatility. Donovan Mitchell (24.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.1 steals), Bojan Bogdanovic (21.0 points and 4.3 rebounds), Rudy Gobert (14.8 points, 14.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks), and Joe Ingles (10.8 points) have done a great job at picking up the slack.

Ultimately, how far this Jazz team goes will come down to whether or not Conley and Bogdanovic make the impact in the playoffs that everyone thinks they will and whether or not Mitchell and Gobert can raise their level of play. If this team stays healthy and continues to ball out like they have been, there's no reason to doubt their ability to make some serious noise in the playoffs. I'm not ready to deem them the favorites to come out of the Western Conference, but I could absolutely see them reach the conference finals. Pending on who they face, it's conceivable they play their way into June.

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Can the Utah Jazz come out of the West?

One of the Western Conference teams that has gotten more buzz this summer/off-season is the Utah Jazz, who added three key pieces to their team in point guard Mike Conley, stretch forward Bojan Bogdanovic, and point guard Emmanuel Mudiay. In 70 games with the Grizzlies last season, Conley averaged 21.1 points, 6.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, bouncing back nicely from his Achilles injury. Bogdanovic averaged 18.0 points per game on 42.5% shooting from 3-point range (4.8 attempts per game) with the Pacers, playing in 81 regular season games. As for Mudiay, he averaged a solid 14.8 points per game last year with the Knicks.

Conley and Bogdanovic join a talented Jazz squad that features third year shooting guard Donovan Mitchell (23.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, & 1.4 steals), sixth year center Rudy Gobert (15.9 points, 12.9 rebounds, & 2.3 blocks), and sixth year small forward Joe Ingles (12.1 points). Mitchell and Gobert are the heart of this Jazz team, but they needed a veteran presence, something Conley in particular hopes to add.

                                         (Credit: Rick Egan-Salt Lake Tribune) 

When looking at this Jazz team, what makes them so dangerous is their ability to get after it on both ends of the floor. Gobert is one of the best interior defenders in the NBA, giving the Jazz their best defensive weapon since Andrei Kirilenko. As for Mitchell, he is a budding superstar that isn't afraid of the big moment. He attacks the rim really well, is developing a solid perimeter game, and is actually a pretty solid defender. Conley is a killer floor general that knows how to get his teammates involved while Bogdanovic is an absolutely lethal shooter from the perimeter. The Jazz are much more multidimensional now, which is why many see them going far in the playoffs this year.

The big question that's on everyone's mind with the Jazz is can they reach the conference finals and possibly represent the West in the NBA Finals. Personally, I think this Jazz team is at least one more year away from reaching the NBA Finals, but if all goes according to plan, they should be a top four seed in the West, win their opening round series, and maybe even reach the conference finals. They're really talented. The only concern I have is there are a lot of other talented teams in the West. The Clippers, Warriors, Nuggets, Trail Blazers, Rockets, and Lakers also project to be really good. I feel like the West is really deep this year and any number of combinations could reach the conference finals. A lot of it will come down to playoff seeding and match ups.

Casting playoff scenarios aside, one thing that is clear is that the Jazz have the pieces to have a breakout year. They're young, hungry, and have greatly upgraded their roster over the summer. If you are a Jazz fan, you have every right to be excited.

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The Utah Jazz are playing exceptional team basketball

                                         (Getty Images) 

On Friday night, the Utah Jazz defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 96-91, advancing to the second round of the playoffs, where they will face the Houston Rockets on Sunday afternoon. Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell stole the show, scoring 38 points, 20 of which were scored in the 3rd quarter. With Ricky Rubio going out with a hamstring injury (possibly out for a few weeks) and Russell Westbrook in full attack mode, the Jazz needed a big game from Mitchell and boy did he deliver.
   
What made Mitchell's performance so special was the way he took over the game. He did it all, hitting deep threes, throwing down vicious dunks, and slicing through defenders to make ridiculous layups around the basket. The amount of English he put on some of those shots was tantamount to what you'd see in a game of billiards. He was having one of those nights where nearly anything he threw at the basket found a way to go in.

Yet as well as Mitchell played, the Jazz didn't win this game by his performance alone. After all, Russell Westbrook was the top performer of the night, finishing with 46 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. What got the Jazz past the Thunder both on Friday and in this series was their selflessness and commitment to team basketball. Everyone found a way to contribute, whether it was Joe Ingles knocking down clutch threes, Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert controlling the paint, or Ricky Rubio setting up others for easy baskets. Even Alec Burks got in on the action, scoring 11 points on Friday in 17 minutes of action.

What allows the Jazz to play this type of team basketball is the system put in place by head coach Quin Snyder, which demands lots of ball movement, cutting, and stellar defense. The Jazz realize that when they play the way Snyder wants them to, that brings out the best in them both as a team and as individuals. It takes a certain type of player to buy into this philosophy and the Jazz front office has done a stellar job of bringing in guys who embrace it.

As for whether or not the Jazz can actually take out the Houston Rockets, I personally expect the Rockets to win only because they have more talent. James Harden will be the best player in the series and Chris Paul could be the second best player. That all said, if the Jazz play the way they did against the Thunder and continue to execute the way Quin Snyder wants them to, they could make this an interesting series. As good as the Rockets look, they did show moments of vulnerability against the Timberwolves. They will definitely need to play a lot better if they want to avoid a competitive and close series with the Jazz.

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Utah's Donovan Mitchell deserves to be rookie of the year

 

(Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports)

With 11 games to go in the regular season, Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell has his team in the middle of a playoff race, currently 8th in the Western Conference with the potential to finish as high as 3rd. Mitchell was drafted 13th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft and has greatly exceeded expectations, averaging 19.9 points, 3.7 rebounds,  3.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. While everyone pegged 76ers rookie Ben Simmons as the no-brainer pick for rookie of the year to start the season, Mitchell has made it a very competitive race and has many people arguing that he should be the one who wins the award.

While Ben Simmons has had a really good year, averaging 16.2 points, 7.9 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game with the 76ers positioned 6th in the Eastern Conference, I want to put forth my own case for why Donovan Mitchell deserves rookie of the year honors.

#1. Donovan Mitchell came out of nowhere: While everyone expected Ben Simmons to have a great rookie season, nobody knew what to expect from Donovan Mitchell, who was drafted 13th overall after playing three years at Louisville. He burst onto the scene late in college and did just enough to get drafted at the back end of the NBA Draft lottery.

During my annual mock draft I said about Mitchell: "While being only 6’2”, Donovan Mitchell weighs 210 pounds and sports a very impressive 6’10” wingspan. He has great physical tools to work with and knows how to get to the basket. He absorbs contact well and has the potential to be a very versatile shooting guard." 

I should also mention that I did pick Mitchell to get picked 13th, but I would be lying to you if I said I envisioned him to breakout like he has. If we are giving rookie of the year honors to the rookie who has exceeded expectations by more than anyone else, Mitchell takes the cake by a mile. 

#2. Donovan Mitchell has the Utah Jazz battling for a playoff spot: While the same can be said for Ben Simmons, Donovan Mitchell has his team in the mix for a playoff spot, currently 8th in the Western Conference with the potential to finish as high as 3rd. After losing Gordon Hayward to the Boston Celtics, nobody thought the Utah Jazz would be in this position. Mitchell has nearly made Jazz fans forget about Hayward, which is pretty remarkable when you consider how much Jazz fans cried when he left. Mitchell has done more than put up impressive numbers. He has the Jazz playing winning basketball and at the end of the day that is what matters more than anything else. 

#3. Donovan Mitchell has played against tougher competition: Playing in the Western Conference, Donovan Mitchell has had to play teams like the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and Oklahoma City Thunder three to four times at least during his rookie season. These are the very best teams in the NBA. Ben Simmons in contrast has only had to face these teams twice. While Simmons is putting up impressive numbers and has his team in playoff contention, Mitchell is doing the same thing against better competition. 

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The Utah Jazz have a special rookie in Donovan Mitchell

                                          (Credit: Clutchpoints.com) 


After losing Gordon Hayward in free agency, it looked like the Utah Jazz were heading back towards the NBA Draft lottery. Nobody would have expected them to be at the .500 mark at this point of the season and be one of the top eight teams in the Western Conference. A big reason for their success has been the emergence of rookie guard Donovan Mitchell, who was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Through 26 games, Mitchell has started in 18 games, averaging 17.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game on 41.8% shooting from the field, 37.5% shooting from 3-point range, and 83.8% shooting from the foul line. As good as the Jazz thought he could become, not even they thought he'd be this good.

What stands out about Mitchell is how dynamic of a player he is. At 6'3", 211 pounds, Mitchell has a great combination of size, quickness, strength, and overall athleticism.  He handles the ball really well and is very comfortable playing the point guard position when needed.

While he can dance around defenders and drain a 3-pointer in their face, he has no problem attacking the rim and finishing through contact. His ability to score in a wide variety of ways makes him really tough for defenders to stop.  On the defensive end of the floor, Mitchell has the ability to guard both point guards and shooting guards due to his overall athletic package. He has a good feel for getting steals and forcing turnovers, which leads to easy baskets in transition.

In addition to possessing the physical gifts, Mitchell has the mentality to be an elite player in the NBA. He has no problem taking over a game and being the guy who his team relies on in crunch time. Some rookies have a hard time adjusting to this role, but Mitchell has embraced this role from day one.

While 76ers rookie Ben Simmons likely wins rookie of the year honors, Donovan Mitchell is making a compelling case for himself. He's playing elite basketball and has the Jazz on pace to make the playoffs. He really couldn't be off to a better start.

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The Utah Jazz need to ink Rodney Hood to a long-term extension

Earlier this month, Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune reported that the Utah Jazz are already engaging in talks with Rodney Hood about a contract extension. Hood, a 4th year shooting guard out of Duke, has emerged as one of the franchises' most promising young talents, having the potential to replace Gordon Hayward as the team's top scorer out on the wing. With him slated to be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2019, the Jazz can prevent him from hitting free agency by signing him to a contract extension.

During his first three seasons in the league, Hood has been a very nice player for this Jazz team, averaging 12.7 points per game on 41.5% shooting from the field, 36.4% shooting from three-point range, and 81.8% shooting from the foul line. With Hayward now gone, Hood is certain to get more touches and play an even more integral role in the team's offense.

Even more importantly, outside of Hood, the Jazz really don't have any good shooters or guys who they can rely on to get points out on the perimeter. If they aren't able to hang on to Hood, the Jazz will really be in a pickle to find themselves a scoring wing.

                                          (Credit: SlamOnline) 
While it is fair to wonder whether nor not Hood will ever become the player that Gordon Hayward is, the Jazz don't really have the luxury to bet that he won't become such a player for them. Right now, Rudy Gobert is the franchise centerpiece and they have to put a quality supporting cast around him in order to keep him in Utah beyond his current contract. The first major step towards putting such a supporting cast around him is to lock up Hood and give Gobert somebody who can take some of the scoring pressure off of him.

The Utah Jazz are in a rather unique position in that they are coming off a very successful season while also losing their top player in free agency. It will be hard for them to carry the momentum from last season into this season as a result. If they can sign Hood to a contract extension, they will be giving themselves another building block for the future and something to help them continue the momentum that they've built during the past few seasons.

Personally, I really like Rodney Hood and was very high on him when he was coming out of Duke. I thought he should have been a lottery pick and so when he fell to the Jazz at #23 overall, I thought he was an absolute steal. What I like about Hood is that he has all the tools to be an effective scorer in the NBA. He can score from beyond the arc, he can get to the foul line, etc. I see him as a guy who could someday average 18+ points per game in the league. If he can become the player that I think he can, he'll be worth every penny.

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Where do the Utah Jazz go after losing Gordon Hayward?

After losing Gordon Hayward to the Boston Celtics, the Utah Jazz find themselves in a jam. They've lost their best player and with the free agent pool largely dried up, there's not much they can add to help them replace Hayward's production. Such is the result of living in a world with free agency. 

With Hayward gone, this is Rudy Gobert's team now and that's not a bad thing. Last season, the 7'1", 245 pound center averaged 14.0 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game, playing in 81 games in the regular season. Gobert has the tools to be the next dominant center in the NBA and be a game changer in a way that Hayward never was. If the Jazz had to pick between Hayward and Gobert, they'd pick Gobert every time. It's not even close. That isn't to say it wouldn't be nice to have both, but the Jazz can now focus on building the team around Gobert and help him become the next face of the franchise. 

The challenge the Jazz have is that right now, they are up against a very stacked Western Conference. Teams like the Thunder, Rockets, Timberwolves, and Spurs have all gotten better while they have gotten worse. Long term, I don't think the Jazz should panic, but as far as next season is concerned, it will be tough for them to get back to the playoffs and win another series. 

The best the Jazz can do is evaluate who they have and figure out who makes sense to hang onto for the future. Derrick Favors is a guy who they'll likely take a hard look at trading at the deadline given that he'll enter unrestricted free agency next summer. He's been solid for them, but hasn't lived up to the hype, either. Unless he has a monster year, he's likely playing for someone else in 12 months or less. 

Two other guys who should be under scrutiny are Danté Exum and Alec Burks. Exum is yet to live up to the massive hype that he had coming into the NBA and after dealing with injury, it's unclear whether or not Burks can return to the level he was at before. Exum enters restricted free agency next summer and Burks enters unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2019, so if the Jazz want, they can part with both guys after two seasons. 

Outside of Gobert, the only other guy who Jazz fans should really feel excited about is Rodney Hood, who is emerging into one of the better three-point shooters in the NBA, averaging 12.7 points per game on 37.1% shooting from three-point range last season. With Hayward gone, Hood will really get a chance to get more touches and prove his worth in the backcourt.

                                         (Chris Detrick. The Salt Lake Tribune). 

Gobert and Hood could evolve into a really nice one-two punch for the Jazz, but even if they live up to their potential, I'm not sure they'll be enough to make the Jazz a serious contender. The Jazz need to find another piece and what has to be of concern is it's unclear who that piece will be. At this point, all the Jazz can do is go forward with what they have and make the best moves possible to give Gobert and Hood the support they need. 

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Is Gordon Hayward the missing piece for the Boston Celtics?

                                          (Credit: Trent Nelson. The Salt Lake Tribune)

There has been lots of chatter about Gordon Hayward leaving the Utah Jazz for the Boston Celtics due to his ability to opt out of his contract and connections to Celtics head coach Brad Stevens. The 6'8", 225 pound small forward is coming off his first all-star season in the NBA and is just starting to enter his prime at 27 years of age. After watching the Eastern Conference Finals, it is clear that the Celtics are in need of a major addition to leap frog the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. While Gordon Hayward is one of the best young talents in the league, is he the missing ingredient to a Boston Celtics championship run?

At the moment, the top player on the Celtics is Isaiah Thomas, who averaged 28.9 points and 5.9 assists per game last season. Thomas led the NBA in fourth quarter points and should have been a much more serious MVP candidate than he was. While he is blossoming into an elite player in the NBA, he can't carry this Celtics team on his shoulders. He needs someone else to help him carry the load and Al Horford so far is not looking like that kind of player.

What makes Hayward such an attractive option for the Celtics is the fact that he could easily slide into their starting lineup without disrupting what they already have. He averaged 21.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season, better numbers than everyone else on the Celtics aside from Isaiah Thomas. Hayward would instantly become the #2 scoring option on the Celtics and give them an elite wing, something that every championship contending team needs to have.

The big question that is on everyone's minds is whether or not Hayward will stay in Utah or leave for greener pastures in Boston. A lot of that comes down to whether or not Boston is in fact "greener pastures." While Boston does offer Hayward the chance to be the next major star of a storied franchise, that may not be something that he is looking for. The pressure to deliver in Boston is enormous, especially when you are playing for the Celtics.

As for Utah, there is much less pressure there and it is also a much more family friendly environment. Hayward is married with a young child, something that is sure to factor into his decision. He may feel that Utah is a better place for him to raise his family and that he doesn't want to put them through the pressures that come with playing in Boston.

Plus, it's not like the Utah Jazz are chopped liver. They won a playoff series last season and are one of the up and coming teams in the NBA. Hayward has good reason to feel that Utah is the best place for him from a competitive standpoint as well.

While we are yet to know where Gordon Hayward will be playing next season, the Boston Celtics better hope he suits up for them. They need an elite wing that can put up points and take the pressure off of Isaiah Thomas. By landing him, the Celtics would put themselves in a great position to reach the NBA Finals and dethrone the Cleveland Cavaliers as the champions of the Eastern Conference.

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2017 Utah Jazz Mock Draft

On NBALord.com, I did a full mock draft for the 2017 NBA Draft. Below are my predictions for the Utah Jazz. If you want to read the entire mock draft, click here.

24. Utah Jazz-California sophomore power forward Ivan Rabb: I cover Cal for Rivals.com, so I’m very familiar with Ivan Rabb’s game. He can shoot from beyond the arc, he can score down on the block, and he rebounds very well.  At 6’10”, 220 pounds Rabb has good physical tools to work with and should be able to fill out in time. The Jazz are expected to part ways with Derrick Favors and I think Rabb has what it takes to be a nice replacement for him.

30. Utah Jazz-Florida State sophomore shooting guard Dwayne Bacon: Dwayne Bacon is a prototypical NBA wing. At 6’6”, 200 pounds he can shoot from NBA range, he can attack the rim, he can defend multiple positions, has great athleticism, etc. He’s a very safe pick at this point of the draft.

42. Utah Jazz-Oregon junior small forward Dillon Brooks: Like his former Oregon teammate Tyler Dorsey, Dillon Brooks has killer scoring instincts and has no problem taking the big shot. He’s another guy who I think is a first round level talent due to his mentality and ability to score. He’d be an absolute steal for the Jazz at #42.

55.  Utah Jazz-Notre Dame senior small forward V.J. Beachem: At 6’8”, 200 pounds, V.J. Beachem has good size for a small forward and is a capable shooter, averaging 14.5 points per game in his senior season on 36.1% shooting from three-point range and 83.6% shooting from the foul line. The Jazz could use another stretch-four type of guy.

Note: I want to give a shout out to NBADraft.net and DraftExpress.com for their excellent NBA Draft coverage. This mock draft would not have been possible without using them as a resource.

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Utah Jazz vs. Golden State Warriors series preview

The #1 seeded Golden State Warriors and the #5 seeded Utah Jazz will face off in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs. Game 1 will be played tonight  (Tuesday) at 10:30 PM EST on TNT. The Warriors come into this series having swept the Portland Trail Blazers while the Jazz come in having survived the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games.

When looking at this series, what really stands out is the contrasting styles that both teams like to play. The Warriors, while very strong on defense, like to run up and down the floor and get easy baskets in transition. The Jazz in contrast like to slow it down and play more of a grind it out style that limits possessions and plays much more in the half court. Whichever team is able to control the pace more and make the game fit their style of play will have a huge advantage in this series.

It's no secret the Warriors are the heavy favorites. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant make for one of the most lethal scoring trios the NBA has ever seen and then when you add a multifaceted Swiss army knife like Draymond Green into the mix, you have yourselves a championship recipe. The bottom line is if the Warriors play up to their maximum potential, they will win this series. They are the better team and their 67-15 record reflects that.

That said, there are reasons to think the Jazz can make this series a lot more competitive than most people think. First, they have a huge advantage inside. Rudy Gobert is one of the top rim protectors in the NBA and Derrick Favors, while not having quite lived up to the hype, is still a load to handle down low. If the Jazz can protect the paint and not allow the Warriors to get easy baskets inside, they'll make things a lot tougher than the Warriors would like.

In addition to their stellar rim protection, the Jazz are a very good offensive team, ranking 12th in the league in points per possession. While they slow the game down and are 28th in points per game, their low scoring numbers aren't a good reflection of their overall abilities to get points. The Jazz are an efficient scoring team, they just slow the game down and have fewer possessions, which has been a key to their success.

What makes the Jazz efficient on offense is their combination of inside and outside scoring. George Hill, Rodney Hood, Joe Johnson, and Joe Ingles can all shoot from outside, while Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors know how to get baskets inside. As for their star Gordon Hayward, he can do both very well. He can spot up and knock down the open three as well as slash to the rim for the emphatic dunk. Hayward's ability to score at all levels of the floor make him one of the best small forwards in the NBA and a tough guy for defenses to stop.

A big wild card in this series is going to be coaching. Steve Kerr is not expected to be back for the rest of the playoffs, which puts Mike Brown at the helm of the Warriors. Last week, I addressed this topic in more detail, stating that I think the Warriors should be just fine without Kerr due to the quality system he has implemented. That said, Quin Snyder is a better coach than Mike Brown. Snyder has the Jazz playing very efficient basketball, implementing lots of motion and cuts, which frees up a lot of easy looks on offense. Defensively, the Jazz are as good as any team in the league. If Snyder is able to out-coach Brown, that could have a big effect on this series.

I think this series is going to be a lot closer than people think. While I do have the Warriors advancing, I think the series will go seven games. The Jazz have proven that they can win on the road. I wouldn't at all be shocked to see them get a game in Oakland. Likewise, the Warriors should be able to get a game in Salt Lake City. Both teams play in hostile environments, so I expect the home team to win most of the games in this series. I think it'll go seven and the Jazz, with their elite defense and efficient scoring, will give the more talented Warriors all that they can handle.

Note: This article also appears on NBALord.com. Click here to check it out. If you want to listen to the podcast that previews this series, click here. 

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Can the Utah Jazz advance without Rudy Gobert?

                                         (Credit: RantSports.com. Click here for source). 

The Utah Jazz escaped with a 97-95 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday to take a 1-0 series lead after Joe Johnson rattled home the game winning shot. Unfortunately for the Jazz, their star big man Rudy Gobert went out for the game with a bone bruise and hyperextended left knee, leaving him out for an indefinite period of time that likely lasts the duration of the series. Gobert, who averages 14.0 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game is the fiercest defensive force the Jazz have had in the paint since Mark Eaton, who averaged a whopping 3.5 blocks per game for his career.

The question that is on the minds of everyone is whether or not the Jazz can win this series without Rudy Gobert. The answer to that question is yes they can, but obviously without him it will be a lot tougher. Fortunately, the Jazz have some things in their favor.

#1. They got the road win they needed: In my series preview, I stated that the Jazz needed just one win in Los Angeles to win this series because of how good they are at home. With or without Rudy Gobert, the Jazz should be able to hold down the fort in Salt Lake City. So long as they can just win out at home, where they are 29-12, they'll be fine.

#2. All the pressure is on the Clippers: The Jazz are playing with house money. The very fact that they made the playoffs is enough of a reason to call this season a success. They can just go out and play their style of basketball and see what happens. If they win the series, they exceed expectations and if they lose, they're still ahead of schedule in their rebuild process.

#3. They have some front court depth: Rudy Gobert is clearly the best big man on this Jazz team, but it isn't like he's their only big man. Derrick Favors, Trey Lyles, Boris Diaw, Jeff Withey, and even Joel Bolomboy can come in and give the Jazz good minutes in the front court. The Jazz have other guys who they can turn to in the post if needed.

#4. Rudy Gobert isn't done for the season: If MRI results had come back showing that Rudy Gobert had damage to his MCL, LCL, or ACL, it would be tough psychologically for the Jazz to win this series. Knowing that he isn't done for the season and that he will return if they can just hang on for a little while without him has to give them tremendous peace of mind. There are good odds Gobert is back for the second round of the playoffs, which is when they'll absolutely need him. The Jazz just need to weather this storm as best they can, knowing that if they do so well enough, the storm will cease and they'll get Gobert back.

The bottom line is that while it is a tough break for the Jazz to be without Rudy Gobert for an indefinite period of time, there are a lot of reasons to think they can still win this series without him. They already have a road win in the bag, very little pressure, quality reserves, and the knowledge that Gobert isn't out forever. I picked the Jazz to win this series in six games and I still stand by that pick.

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Playoff Preview: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Utah Jazz

In the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, the #4 seeded Los Angeles Clippers (51-31) will take on the #5 seeded Utah Jazz (51-31). The Clippers won the regular season series 3-1. Game 1 will tip off on Saturday at 10:30 PM EST on ESPN.

Of all the first round playoff series', this one projects to be the closest. The records are identical, for one thing and both teams have dominant big men and guys who can score from the wing. This series really could go either way.

The matchup down in the paint should be particularly fun to watch. Clippers big man DeAndre Jordan (12.7 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks) and Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert (14.0 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks) are a throwback to a different era when there were more dominant big men. Watching them clash down low will be reminiscent of watching Hakeem Olajuwon and Patrick Ewing face off in the paint. There are so few true big men making an impact in the NBA right now and to have two of them facing off in the same series is certain to be a real treat.

While it will be fun to watch Jordan and Gobert face off, I expect the two of them to cancel each other out. Neither one will sway this series in either direction. What will ultimately sway this series is coaching, the perimeter play, and which star player is able to deliver the goods in crunch time.

In regards to coaching, I think this is a fascinating matchup. Clippers head coach Doc Rivers has a ton of playoff experience while Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder is making his first trip to the playoffs. That said, I think Snyder has done a better job with his team and really has the Jazz playing good basketball. The Jazz are moving the ball well, they are getting each other involved, and are playing defense at an elite level.

 If the Jazz are going to win this series, Quin Snyder's stellar coaching will have to be a huge factor whereas for the Clippers, Doc Rivers needs to find a way to use his experience to his advantage. Doc Rivers knows how he'll handle close games in the playoffs because he's been there whereas for Quin Snyder he is yet to be in those kind of moments. It will certainly be interesting to see what decisions both coaches make down the stretch of close games. The decisions they make could ultimately decide this series.

In regards to perimeter play, the Clippers have Chris Paul, J.J. Redick, Jamal Crawford, and Austin Rivers while the Jazz have Gordon Hayward, George Hill, Rodney Hood, and Shelvin Mack. The battle in the backcourt will be crucial to this series. Both teams have guys who can shoot it from beyond the arc and penetrate the lane. Whichever group does a better job will give their team a definite edge.

In regards to the star play, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin will be expected to deliver the goods for the Clippers while Gordon Hayward and George Hill will be expected to do the same for the Jazz. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin have more playoff experience than Gordon Hayward (first appearance), but George Hill has some playoff experience going back to his days with the San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers. While there is more pressure on Gordon Hayward to have a big series, George Hill can help take a lot of that pressure away through his stellar play in the backcourt and also his calming influence. He's been there before and can help Gordon Hayward make the transition.

In terms of a prediction for this series, I have the Utah Jazz finding a way to win the series in six games. Salt Lake City is one of the toughest place to play in the NBA and I don't see the Clippers getting a win on the road in this series. The combination of altitude and rowdy fans is what makes Salt Lake City such a tough place to win. As for the Staples Center, that place isn't as tough of a place to get a road playoff win, especially when it's the Clippers who are playing. I have a feeling that the Jazz will steal a game in Los Angeles and hold serve at home.

In order for my prediction to come to fruition, Gordon Hayward will need to have a big series. He's an NBA All-Star and is the face of this Jazz team. If he has a big series and gets the help he needs from the rest of his teammates, I really like their chances. If on the other hand, Hayward shrinks under the playoff spotlight, the Clippers will be the team that comes out on top in this series. The Clippers are a very good team and we certainly can expect Chris Paul and Blake Griffin to step up. Gordon Hayward will need to do the same in order for his team to win.




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