NBA: Grading each team’s 2014-2015 season

<p>Don’t look now, but the Jazz are coming.</p> <p>Utah is currently 19-9 in their last 28 games, and led by Rudy Gobert, the Jazz are a machine defensively. For the season, Utah ranks in the middle of the pack defensively, but since the All-Star break, the Jazz are <em>easily</em> the best defensive team in the NBA (94.2 points allowed per 100) in conjunction with that lights-out record.</p> <p>In the interest of full disclosure, I don’t believe that this level is sustainable for the Jazz, but in the same breath, they are a very talented group. Gobert is a candidate for both DPOY and MIP honors, Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors are having career seasons, and Quin Snyder looks the part as a budding star in the coaching profession. The Trey Burke pick doesn’t look fantastic at this point, but he is playing better, and with Dante Exum waiting in the wings, Utah has two chances at the point guard spot.</p> <p>This is a season-long evaluation, and that does matter. However, I’m not sure that anyone saw the Jazz making an assault on the .500 mark in the West this season, and they are a dangerous team that many will predict for a playoff run in 2015-2016. Stay tuned.</p>. 3rd. Northwest Division, Western Conference. UTAH JAZZ. A-