Meet
Playoff Race
Posted by: Patrick on March 2nd, 2013
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.This is not likely to be a popular post, but its one that will have much debate. I got to looking at the schedules or our team, and the others around us and its not looking great for the Jazz.
Utah has 12 away games and a pretty tough schedule ahead. GSW only has 7 away games, but they still have a tough schedule and they seem to be tanking, reminiscent of last year, but let them the pick is ours unless the balls take a nasty bounce. Houson has 9 away games, but they can easily slide up with the hard part of their year behind them. LA would seem to have the worst of the travel with 12 away games, but they dont have the toughest teams in that schedule. Of course this is purely guess work on my part, along with seeing how teams have been playing recently, but I have made my projection for how the season will round out.
Houston and LA Laker split the season and take the 6th and 7th spots on the playoffs. GSW rounds out in the 8th spot, leaving the Utah Jazz outside looking in at the 9th spot.
Houston 45-37
LA 45-37
GSW 44-38
Utah 43-39
Is the Utah Jazz lottery bound for the 14th position once the lottery balls drop? Could we be picking 14th and 16th in the draft? Will Corbin make the apropriate changes that take us a step better and a first round sweep in the playoffs? What do you guys think?
This year may not work out the way we wanted, but we have seen some glimpses of what is to come and its hard not to be excited about the future even though this season may not be as we had hoped. I still think we are about 2 seasons out, but the excitement is building.
Replies: 22
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22 Responses
I was thinking of the same thing. My worst fear is that the Fakers will get in. Jazz just dropped three games they should have won. That might be the difference.One thing about it I don’t think GS can tank enough to get their top (is it six this year??)protected.
Well we pretty much blew it over the ‘easy stretch’ of our schedule, so now we have to fend off LA. I blame Ty and Al and Watson.
More like the 14 and 20 look at the records of the east there horrible
Again the race might go down to the last few days of the regular season. One thing about it if Jazz do not make the playoffs Corbin is gone..
I just did my own estimation of games W/L Jazz 46-36,GS 47-35, Hou 47-35,Fakers 40-42.. Still puts Jazz at # 8..
LK, think you may want to look at the fakers again. Kobe has been playing with a fire, and other members have followed suit. My worst fear is that GSW actually tank enough to where we are in the playoffs, and somehow defy the odds and get a top 3 pick. Wouldnt that just chap everyone, tank it two yrs and be rewarded for each.
Andy, your right, the bottom feeders in the east have junk numbers, but they are already placed in the lottery. Its pretty tight when looking at all the teams actually in the playoff race east and west. Milwaukie and Boston are sitting about where Houston and Utah are now. Only another two months and we will know for sure.
Picks 14 and 16 would be nice. We would almost be guaranteed a shot to pick up either CJ McCollum / Trey Burke or Alex Poythress / Tony Mitchell.
I think the guys would definitely gain something from a little playoff experience as well. Not sure moving up 4 spots in the draft is worth missing the playoffs
Looks like GSW pick is top seven protected. I don’t think they can tank enough to get that bad. My prediction on Fakers is Howard will get hurt again and Gasol takes his time to get back.I think Jazz are sitting at 17-18 picks right now.
Lol, Patrick! That would be some sht if that happen!! GSW did get lucky enough last year.
The Jazz have a ton of youth I consider trading away our 2014, 2015 first round picks in order to move up and get the picks Jazz want if it looks like will get picked before Jazz get a chance.
Best part is Fakers picks go Suns, hahaha!
Omar, it would actually benefit us to package this years picks and assets for lower picks next year. Tons of talent in 2014
Interesting that you mentioned the suns. They have a lot of players under contract and 4 draft picks this season. You may see a bit of trading going on, on draft day.
@Kory, Im gonna defer to you’all, I cant say I closely follow NCAA in depth.
@Patrick, Bobcats have their and Blazers pick, how many more draft picks do they need also.
I think Kanter is better than Blake, and Favors is better than DJ, Hayward better Crawford, plus Burks, DC, Evans….I might still be high from watching last nites game, but if the Jazz have any hope of sighning CP3, Jazz need to showcase the high potential high ceiling players on roster!! Clippers are getting older, maybe comes to Jazz if we finish strong and have a good playoff run—which I only see if Al, Watson get dumped.
Omar, true about the Bobcats, but those two are all they have. With only 11 people under contract next season and needing a lot of help, I bet they keep them both unless one heck of a trade comes around their way. You may see someone targetting their Blazers pick, for a pair of picks (Atlanta)? if it moves them toward a target player.
Itd be sweet if Lakers (Suns) pick does the unthinkable and wins the lottery! That would be funny.
We might be in the lottery if Corbin insist on shoving Watson down our throats and Al gets healthy. Watson strugges against everyone, Al struggles on the road against good team, and especially against good defensive centers……
Al @Sanders
Al @Noah
Al @Chandler
Watson @Jennings
Watson @Hinrich
Watson @Irving (lol)
Watson @Felton
I guess Corbin likes bad starts in 1st and 3rd quarters that much! I could see us losing all 4 if Corbin starts Al and Watson.
@Patrick: I’ll tell you what would be less popular. Fakers slide into #8 spot, upset Spurs, continue hot streak to become NBA champs. Everyone on this site throws up..
LK, then the GSWs tank out of the playoffs, win the lottery and take the number one pick.. Again leaving us unable to obtain their draft pick. Lakers champs, GSW number 1 in this years lottery. LOL
http://utahjazznewsnow.blogspot.com/2013/03/looking-at-rest-of-jazzs-season-and-my.html
This link shows my predictions, and to sum it up I think the Jazz will be 46-36.
At Best I say 51-31
At Worst I say 36-46
@Patrick: Maybe we missed our calling and should be writing some horror flicks..
Ok, well, I hope they prove me wrong, but so far my guess work is right on. Stay tuned, but it looks like we are lottery bound.
Oh, LK, its a waking night mare. Lol
Is it too early to start wishing for a great bounce of the balls?