Utah did the smartest thing they could do this off-season. I’m not referring to drafting Dante Exum or signing Gordon Hayward to an absurd contract. I’m talking about them getting rid of Tyrone Corbin as head coach. He was just horrible at his job. They upgraded by hiring Quin Snyder. He resurrected his career in the D-League and then as a player development-focused assistant coach in the NBA.
Speaking of Exum, Utah can wait to see what he becomes. They have Trey Burke and Alec Burks as their starting back-court. I actually want to see what they do this season.
Utah isn’t expected to compete this season. How many years will this rebuilding process take?
We will be posting a team preview for every team up until the start of the regular season.
Here is the 2014-15 NBA season preview for the Utah Jazz.
2013-14 Win/Loss Record: 25-57
Key Additions: PG Dante Exum, PF Trevor Booker, SG Rodney Hood, SG Jordan Hamilton, SF Steve Novak, SF Tore’ Murry & SF Joe Ingles,
Key Losses: SF Richard Jefferson, PF Marvin Williams, SG Brandon Rush, PG John Lucas III & PG Diante Garrett,
Projected Starters: Enes Kanter, Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward, Alex Burks & Trey Burke
Fantasy Sleeper: SG Alec Burks – I was all about Burks last season. I owned him in every league. He’s one of those ‘great fantasy guys on a crappy team’ players. You should snatch him up if he’s available.
Team Analysis: Utah will need to tank for the next three years in order to rebuild their franchise. Salt Lake City isn’t exactly a destination NBA players are excited about living in. They will need to build the old fashioned way and build something from scratch. They were able to keep Hayward, but they had to overpay him. Utah will need to overpay a few more guys before they have a contender.
I don’t know what they have with Dante Exum. I know about as much as the next guy. I’ve watched as many ‘Dante Exum Highlights’-named YouTube videos as the next rabid NBA fan. He appears to be a better shooter than most international point guards. Like I said earlier, Utah can let Exum wait until the game finds him. Burke and Burks is a nice back-court while they rebuild.
I don’t want to overlook Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors. They were both high draft picks and this year will be make or break for them. I want to see them keep improving and stay healthy. They are both coming off ‘nice’ seasons, but so much more was expected of them going into the NBA. Time to put up, boys.
Snyder is a good coach. Utah could surprise some folks this year. They have some nice young players. I don’t think the front office WANTS to win. Draft picks are so crucial to their rebuilding process. See you at the 2015 NBA Draft Lottery Selection Show, Utah.
2014-15 Wins Over/Under Betting Line: 26 (Prediction: UNDER)
2014-15 Projected Win/Loss Record: 22-60 (14th in Western Conference)
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About the Author…
Bobby Roberts (otherwise known as Sweetbob) is the creator of ‘America’s White Boy’ and contributor at Project Shanks. His writing has been featured on ESPN’s ‘SportsNation’, Sports Illustrated’s Hot Clicks, Guyspeed, and various other sites. You can follow him on Twitter at @Sweetbob.