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Jazz/NBA Predictions
Posted by: Kyle11Kirkham on December 5th, 2011
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.Predictions Post
By Kyle Kirkham
Yeah I know it’s a bit early for a predictions post, but that doesn’t matter, so here is mine. (By the way, isn’t it good to be posting again?)
League Awards
Rookie of the year
This came down to the top two picks in the draft for me, Williams and Irving. Both should get plenty of minutes on their terrible teams and have a shot to show what they got. While these players should make a difference for their teams, however I don’t see either of them living up to the standards of recent recipients of the award.
Winner: Derrick Williams
Most improved player
My Jazz fan bias automatically put Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward in contention. I also considered Greg Monroe, Arron Afflalo, Paul George, and James Harden. My pick came down to what player is going to get a big boost of minutes and make the most of them.
Winner: Gordon Hayward
Sixth man of the year
At first I was having a hard time deciding on this award. It is a bit more difficult to predict because we don’t know for sure who will start and who will not. I considered most of the recent winners of the award, but ended up going with that dude on the Thunder with the big beard.
Winner: James Harden
Defensive player of the year
This was probably the easiest award for me to predict. I thought about Andre Iguodala, Tony Allen, and LeBron James, but I just don’t see any of these guys preventing the NBA’s best center from winning it a fourth consecutive year.
Winner: Dwight Howard
Most valuable player
This was definitely not an easy pick. I chose between LeBron, Rose, Dirk, Durant, and Howard. It came down to Durant and Rose to me, both who should be at an advantage with a compressed NBA schedule.
Winner: Kevin Durant
Finals
Teams: Oklahoma City Thunder, Miami Heat
I picked OKC from the West because I think they have the best combination of talent and youth to survive the compressed NBA season. It was a bit harder for me to choose who came from the East, but I picked the Heat over the Bulls because James/Wade > Rose/Boozer.
Champion/Result: Miami Heat; in 7 games.
Finals MVP: Dwayne Wade
Jazz predictions
Best Rookie
This is kind of a lame thing to predict on because there are only two options but I’ll do it anyways. Both Burks and Kanter will be behind at least 3 players on the depth chart and will have to earn their minutes. Normally a #3 pick would be better than the #12, but in this case I see otherwise, at least for their first year.
Winner: Alec Burks
Most improved player
I thought about giving this to mainly three guys, Favors, Hayward, and Miles. All three will have a good shot and have the potential to make drastic improvements. Playing time will be a major factor for all of them, but Favors and Hayward may be the only ones to get more than last season.
Winner: Gordon Hayward
Most Valuable Player
This was very hard for me to decide on. I immediately narrowed down to Jefferson and Millsap. Both obviously bring different things to the table and are valuable in their own way. I think both players are going to be improved this season and will take turns leading the Jazz.
Winner: TIE Al Jefferson/Paul Millsap
Team record
This will be a fun and painful season for Jazz fans. We are obviously in the process of rebuilding will have to wait and watch our young players develop. I think we are going to go through a lot rough patches, and end up in the lottery for the second straight year.
Final record: 29-37; miss playoffs.
Replies: 3
Views: 305
3 Responses
I think 29 wins is just rude to say
I give them above 500 and fighting for a 8-7 position. Houston could be in the mix but with McHale slowing things down I don’t know, along with Denver now that it looks like they lose Nene. Warriors won’t do any better than us I don’t think even with Jackson there. Sacramento obviously nothing going there.
Teams in the west that will be in the playoffs…
Dallas
Thunder
LA
SA
Portland
Memphis
Houston
Jazz
If West returns to NO we could have them to deal with, but I think they do some trading and that team goes through some growing of their own. If they are the same team and CP3 is there all season (I doubt that) with West and CP3 stays healthy the Jazz making a run will be more difficult for sure.
If we have Al, Millsap and Harris on this squad alone we will be better than .500 in my opinion and Hayward isn’t going to be playing like a rookie neither is Favors. Look at the fact that CJ is in a contract year and we have gained talent with the draft and that makes me feel like we have to have drop in our lap talent that can win no matter what like a Miami team. We’re better than .500 as it is. We’re going to make the playoff’s this year. Just watch and see.
Thats not a prediction its a guarantee.
I meant to say, some people will only think we can be successful if we have obvious talent dropped in our lap like Miami, which we don’t need that to be a decent team and a playoff team.
Sorry, got sidetracked while typing earlier, lost my train of thought:)
Young players, new coach, lockout-shortened offseason… it’s likely going to be a rough year. Give this team a couple seasons before they’ll be a legitimate playoff team. 25 wins would be a solid season at this point