Utah Jazz: What A Difference A Year Can Make

The Jazz are only five games into the 2014-2015 NBA season, but through the preseason and first five games they look like a completely different team.  Before we discuss the apparent impact of new coach Quinn Snyder let me point out that the Jazz — even if Tyrone Corbin was still the coach — would look better this year.

That is simply because they are a young team and there is going to be natural growth for young players from year to year. Let me also point out that the Jazz are going to struggle this year. I know a lot of people will want to start raising expectations after beating the Cavs, who many people had winning the title this year, but that is only one game and against a Cavs team still trying to figure everything out.

This is not to say it was not a big win, but I just do not think it warrants raising expectation. Jazz are simply a young team (2nd youngest in the league and Steve Novak is the only player on the roster over 30) and are going to struggle through another year of growing pains.  They will most likely end up with another high lottery pick and win somewhere around 30 games this year.

Nov 5, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; UtahCredit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Now that we have that out of the way, the Jazz look SO much better in all aspects of the game this year.  Theyscored 95 points per game (ppg) last season while giving up 102.2 ppg. This season they are scoring 103.2 ppg and giving up 104.4. The Jazz are making 8.2 three pointers a game this year, up from 6.6 a year ago. I could continue on with numbers to show the Jazz have improved this season, although in some categories the difference in minimal.

However, the numbers are not the reason as to why the Jazz look like a different team this season. The biggest reason for why I think the Jazz are drastically improved over last season is through the eye test. The players appear to be playing with more confidence, there is an increased amount of effort/hustle, they have competed in every game whether they won or lost, the ball movement has improved, etc. The Jazz are a team I enjoy watching this year whether they win or lose.

To me, effort is the most important aspect and all I ask for as a fan. We as Jazz fans were spoiled for nearly two decades with Karl Malone and John Stockton. We knew that whether the Jazz won or lost they were going to compete and not go down without a fight. Even in their later years when the prospects of an NBA title were no longer reasonable Malone and Stockton still competed. That effort, toughness, competitive spirit, or whatever you want to call it has been something the Jazz have missed since their departure.

Growing up watching the Malone and Stockton era has led me to expect that same level of effort and toughness in the teams I cheer for and it is something the Jazz have not consistently had since those days. Even when Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer led the Jazz to the Western Conference Finals it did not feel as though they had that same level of effort. It was frustrating as a fan to see Williams and especially Boozer play so well offensively only to let up on defense. It felt like every game I was holding my breath that Boozer would not stub a toe and be out for the year. I have missed the days of knowing I was cheering for a team that would give it their all every night and I hope that what I have seen in such a small sample size of this year is the norm of what to expect rather than the exception.

Watching the Jazz this year they appear to be playing offense with a purpose. I hated watching last year’s team on offense. Too often they nonchalantly passed the ball around and dribble around until about five seconds left in the shot clock then desperately drive to the basket and be forced to take a bad shot.

This year’s team has pushed the ball up the court in hoped of exploiting the defense in transition. If there is nothing there they have pulled up and ran a play. The ball movement this year is lightyears ahead of last year. Players have been willing to make the extra pass to find the open man. Players are not holding onto the ball with no purpose.

They Jazz are simply fun to watch this season. I do not mind Kanter shooting the three (as long as it is a corner three), I like watching Booker, who only shot 10 threes in his four years with the Wizards (he only made one), shoot open three pointers, especially if he is going to continue making 50% of them and have loved the little bit of nastiness he brings.

I love watching Favors trying to score on offense and looking like a weapon as opposed to someone who is not sure what to do with the ball in his hands. I have been on the Alec Burks bandwagon since the day they drafted him and remember going into the draft hoping they would either select Burks or Kawhi Leonard (I was more hoping for Burks as  I did not think Leonard had any way of being there at 12, but still think it was the right move as I do not think Leonard would be near the player he is today if he had to suffer through the Corbin years).

I have loved watching Burks finally get consistent minutes and think his contract will ultimately be a steal and I truly believe he will become a better player than Klay Thompson (who was drafted one pick ahead of Burks and just signed a max contract). I have enjoyed Hayward appearing as though he is once again enjoying the game and doing a little bit of everything. I love watching Gobert come in block anything in his vicinity. Finally, I have loved watching Dante Exum come in the game and show glimpses of the star player he could be one day.

Defensively they have still struggled, giving up 104.4 ppg, which is over a point more than last season. However, I think that number is a bit misleading. Last year the Jazz lost 39 games by double digits and 13 by 20+ points. Many of those games were blow outs. When teams blow out an opponent they often clear the bench and let players who do not play much get some minutes. The team being blown out often keeps their starters in until longer than the opponent.

Therefore, when the Jazz were being blown out, on what seemed like a nightly basis, opponents took their foot of the pedal, played inferior players, which results in a lower point total. Had opponents kept starters in as though the game were close opponents very well may have averaged 115+ ppg against the Jazz. This season the Jazz players appear to know what their assignment is on defense as opposed to last season when players looked lost on defense.

Not only do the Jazz look better in the preseason and five regular season games so far, but one has to remember they are also learning a whole new system.  There will be a learning curve in running Snyder’s offensive and defensive schemes. What we have seen so far from the Jazz should only improve as they become more comfortable running the offense and defense.

At this point the players are most likely having to consciously think about what their assignment is what they should be doing. Once they become comfortable they will no longer have to make a conscious effort, but will instinctively know their role, which will only improve on-court performance.

Despite my excitement for the Jazz so far this season there has been one aspect that has been disappointing. If you have read any of my previous work for The J Notes, you are aware of my thoughts on Kanter playing the power forward position. So far, Kanter has not been able to defend anyone. Granted, in three of the five games the opposing power forwards have been Dirk Nowitzki, Blake Griffin, and Kevin Love, three players that anyone would have a hard time defending.

Offensively Kanter has been playing well. In the game agains the Cavs we was 8-13 from the field with 18 points. The problem is that he has been such a liability on offense that he has not been able to stay on the floor at the end of games. Teams have been exploiting him through the pick and roll.

Fortunately for the Jazz, Booker has been playing well, so by having Booker replace Kanter at the end of games has not been too detrimental. Hopefully the problem has been he has had to guard some of the best power forwards so far and against lesser players he will be fine, but from what he has shown that does not appear to be the case. If he does not improve defensively the Jazz may have to cut ties at the end of the year as Booker, who is only 26 years old, and Gobert, only 22, have shown greater promise long-term.

In all, despite some shortcomings I am excited to watch the Jazz this season. For me, this season is once again not about winning and losing, but learning to play the game the right way, development, and giving a consistent effort night in and night out.

As long as I continue to see that I will continue to be excited. Perhaps if everything goes well and the players continue to buy into Snyder’s system and develop their games the Jazz may compete for a playoff spot next season.

After that, who knows? Maybe in 3-4 years, if everything goes right, they become legit contenders. Maybe Exum becomes a star, Favors a defensive anchor, Hayward a do it all guy, and Burks a nightmare to defend and Jazz fans forget altogether the Corbin years.