NBA Playoffs 2017: 5 things we learned from the Jazz beating the Clippers
By Connor Learn
2. Utah has put the rest of the league on notice
Team progression isn’t always linear in the NBA, but the progression of the Jazz has been. Utah had the second worst season in franchise history during the 2013-14 season and finished 25-57. Coach Quin Snyder arrived that next season and the Jazz took a step forward, winning 38 games. The Jazz took another step forward last season, winning 40 games and flashing elite defensive potential following the emergence of Rudy Gobert. This season was no different for the team, as their 51 wins continued their trend of consistent improvement.
What makes the Jazz frightening to the rest of the league is the fact that there is still room for improvement. Young shooting guards Alec Burks and Rodney Hood haven’t been healthy for most of this season. Neither has 25-year-old Derrick Favors. College-aged Dante Exum, Trey Lyles, and Joel Bolomboy should mature into solid players in the future. Gordon Hayward and Rudy Gobert are already All-Star caliber players, but have room to improve their games as well. Given the right conditions, this Jazz unit could push for 60 wins in the future.
There are still variables that have to play out in Utah. George Hill will have to be re-signed this summer, and Joe Ingles will be a restricted free agent as well. Gordon Hayward has a player option this summer that he will likely exercise to seek a larger contract. There is no reason to believe that he intends on leaving the Jazz at this point, however. Assuming this team stays together after their success this season, there will surely be more to come.