It Is Time to Worry About the Utah Jazz

Over the past several years, the Utah Jazz have been one of the better teams in a strong Western Conference. However, the constant regular-season success has been all for not. The Jazz have yet to make it out of the 2nd round during this run. This year, the Jazz started off as one of the best teams out West again, but have struggled since New Years. This was put on display on national TV Wednesday night. The Jazz led for more than 40 minutes of the game by as much as 25 points but would lose the game to the Los Angeles Clippers by 6. The team famously had the same fortune against the Clippers in the conference semi-finals last year. So it poises the question how much longer can Utah fumble these opportunities? Even more, how much more can franchise guys like Donovan Mitchell take?

Past Few Jazz Seasons

After a failed 3 year tenure from Tyrone Corbin as long-time coach Jerry Sloan’s successor, the franchise turned to Quinn Snyder. It would take a few seasons, but Snyder would lead the Jazz back to being a contending team. In the 2016-17 season, Utah would be the win 50 games and finish as the 6 seed. They would win a playoff series before being bounced by the title-favorite Warriors. A respectable step in the right direction. The next year they would have the same fortune of a 5th seed and a 2nd round exit in the postseason. In 2018-19, the Jazz would be a 50-win 5th seed again and lose in 5 games in the 1st round. The 2019-20 campaign would see the Jazz finish as the 6th seed and again be subject to a 1st round exit.

In the 2020-21 season, the team would take a leap. The Jazz finished as the top seed in a talented Western Conference and were considered legit contenders. They would make quick work of rookie Ja Morant and the Grizzlies in the 1st round. However, they would face major disappointment in the conference semis against the Clippers. Kawhi would only play 4 games in the series, exiting when the series was tied at 2-2. The Jazz would drop the next two games, including Game 6 when the Jazz would blow a once 25 point lead and be eliminated from the playoffs. Something players are not going to forget.

2021-22 Season

This brings us to this NBA season. Utah, poised to put last year behind them, began the season strongly once again. Utah would be one of the strongest teams in the West putting up efficient numbers led by Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. They closed 2021 with a record of 26-9 and were just a couple of games out of 1st place. Once the calendar turned over, things began to unravel a bit.

Since starting 26-9, the Jazz have gone just 19-22. The West is significantly worse this season than in years past, so Utah has been able to hold on to decent seeding. But, after being in the top 3 for nearly half the season, and their current 5 game losing streak, they find themselves tied for the 5th seed with Denver. They are still 2 games up on Minnesota, and with just 5 games left it would take a real collapse to have to compete in the play-in tourney. How this team closes the regular season will say a lot because nobody is fearing this once top team at the moment.

Why it is Time to Worry About the Jazz

This team keeps having respectable seasons, but nothing to show for it. Specifically, 50 win seasons that end with nothing farther than 6 games in the 2nd round. Last year’s circumstances were certainly the worst. You are able to beat the Clippers twice with both Kawhi and George in the lineup but cannot win once when Leonard is out. And now, the team is spiraling a bit and could be looking at having to face someone like Dallas or Golden State in the 1st round. Both of whom, the Jazz would not be favored against and could be facing another short playoff run.

There are ever-growing rumors around the league that Donovan Mitchell may want out. He has not been the sole problem in these playoff runs and has played well for the most part. Another short postseason after a late regular season collapse might be the final push for their star player. To add insult to injury, Rudy Gobert cannot necessarily close games anymore. He is a big of the old NBA and is getting exposed for that down the stretch. It is also believed he is one of the least liked players around the league so attracting free agents to play with him, if Mitchell leaves, might prove to be difficult. Having to build around in the draft around a defense first center is less than ideal. There is just more that can go wrong than right at the moment and it is definitely time to worry about the Utah Jazz.