Hornets NBA Picks
The Utah Jazz are going to be a fun team to watch this season. There’s a nice blend of budding stardom and raw talent, and how this group of youngsters coexists will play a big role in how much success the team can ultimately have.
2014-15 Utah Jazz
Western Conference
2013-14 Record: 35-57 (16-25 @ Home) .305
Odds to win Title: 300/1
Odds to win Conference: 150/1
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Will the Jazz be a championship team? Not a chance. But they can provide entertainment night in and night out regardless of who they’re playing, and they can mix and match rotations as they begin planning for the future.
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Jazz Key Losses
Tyrone Corbin – Let’s start with the coach. Tyrone Corbin is gone, lending support to the thought that a new era in Utah is around the corner. The roster in Utah will look largely, but the hope is that a new lead man will spark a new burst of energy.
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Marvin Williams – Marvin Williams has yet to live up to the hype that comes with being a former No. 2 pick. At this point in his career, it’s safe to say he never will, but he’s shown at times he can be a nice role player, which is what he’ll try to be with Charlotte Hornets.
Jazz Top Newcomers
Quin Snyder – Once again, we’ll start with the head coach. While he’s best known for his time as the lead man with the Missouri Tigers, he’s also been an assistant with the Atlanta Hawks.
Dante Exum – Dante Exum was a great pickup for the Utah Jazz in the 2014 draft. There were talks that he could have gone earlier to the Orlando Magic, but when the Magic took Aaron Gordon instead, it became an easy choice for Utah.
The question with the rookie is how he will play alongside fellow point guard Trey Burke.
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There’s certainly a possibility that the two create a dual-point guard set in the backcourt at times throughout the year, but the thought so far is that Exum will only reach his true potential if he can become more of a permanent point guard in someone’s rotation (not playing off the ball).
Jazz Top Players
Gordon Hayward – Gordon Hayward just got paid, and it’s time for him to show he deserved it. After signing a max contract, the former Butler product is ready to prove he can be a No. 1 option. Based off everything he’s said, he’s not feeling the pressure. This is a good sign for fans in Utah, but if he doesn’t start the season well, you’d better believe he’ll be feeling the pressure before he knows it.
Derrick Favors – Derrick Favors has shown for years now that he’s a potential game changer. This is a young forward/center will All-Star potential, but the question is: Can he become a leader that actually helps his team win?
Trey Burke – Trey Burke should be excited to have a playmaker in the backcourt in Dante Exum. However, he should also be a bit concerned (or more likely motivated), as a slow start could result in the rookie taking his place in the starting lineup before the year comes to an end.
Jazz Strengths
Youth/Potential – The Jazz have plenty of youth on their side, which is why a down season (should it play out that way), won’t be the end of the world. If this team were aging, that would be a different story. The ensuing rebuild would be a daunting thought, and it would be one that would send fans into a spiraling sense of pessimism.
But that’s not the case. Not at all. This group is maturing and it’s continuing to procure talent in the process. The future is bright in Utah — even if the presence is dim.
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Jazz Weaknesses
Experience – Simply put: There are too many weaknesses when it comes to this team to list them all. For that reason, we’ll sum it up as “experience.”
This group doesn’t know how to win because it doesn’t have anybody who has won at a high level in the NBA. This is going to be a learning process for a group of inexperienced players, but the hope is that they learn together and prepare for future seasons.
Jazz 2014 Betting Prediction
The Jazz finished last season as the worst team in the Western Conference, and there’s a legitimate chance they could do just that again.
Don’t expect a Phoenix Suns-like shocker in 2014-15, but don’t be too surprised, either, if they’re at least more competitive game in and game out than they were one year ago.
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