Utah Jazz Poised To Pass OKC Thunder

By Clint Peterson | Mar 21, 2015

Mar 10, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder signals to his players during the first half against the New York Knicks at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

We’ve been tracking the Utah Jazz defensive rating for exactly one month now. And the unthinkable is about to become reality.

Remember when Utah Jazz fans said “The Jazz need to follow the OKC model!” with ferocity? They have, in a way, compiling lottery picks and a starting roster younger than one of the local colleges. Now, the Utah Jazz are poised to pass up the injury-laden Oklahoma City Thunder despite Russell Westbrook‘s trip-dub tear and starting the Jazz’s former Turkish #3 lottery pick in Enes Kanter.

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"Before trading for Enes Kanter, the OKC Thunder’s defensive rating was a solid 101.4. Since Kanter joined them, it’s falling off rather precipitately to 105.5.With Enes Kanter as a starter in Utah, the Jazz posted a 106.1 defensive rating. Since moving him after demands were met, the Jazz are a dominant on defense with an eyebrow-raising 89.6 DRtg."

Which model du jour should Utah follow this week? In the last three seasons it’s been: the OKC Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks and the latest trendy model of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Really, is there something wrong with following the Utah Jazz model? It sure seems to be working out alright so far.

The Jazz have attempted to follow the model in a way by acquiring countless draft picks, supplementing them with solid role players, gems in the rough like Joe Ingles and Elijah Millsap, adding free agent acquisitions with nasty, like Trevor Booker.

Think about the all-around balance of the up-and-coming Utah Jazz next year, starting Dante Exum, Rodney Hood, Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors — all lottery picks — with later draft-trade acquisition Rudy Gobert, who may have gone first in his class, in hindsight.

Hayward and Gobert might just be a couple of those coveted generational players, anchoring a solid starting lineup. Now, think about who the Jazz have coming off the bench

Hayward and Gobert might just be a couple of those coveted generational players, anchoring a solid starting lineup. Now, think about who the Jazz have coming off the bench, if this stays the starting lineup, as seems likely: Trey Burke, Alec Burks — both also lottery picks — with undrafted gems like Joe Ingles, Elijah Millsap, free agency addition Trevor Booker, and possibly Euro-stars Ante Tomic and Raul Neto coming off the bench.

Scary stout stuff right there, giving multiple lineup options to head coach Quin Snyder without even counting new acquisitions from the draft, scouting and free agency this summer.

In a scant four weeks since the trade, launching Gobert as the featured anchor, the Utah Jazz have climbed to 14th in NBA defensive rating

And as it is, the Jazz are poised to pass up the OKC Thunder this season in an area we’ve been tracking since the Enes Kanter trade, a trade that played catalyst for the meteoric rise of the Utah Jazz’s defensive rating. Yes, the Jazz have inexplicably continued to gain a DRtg spot about every five quarters of play.

In a scant four weeks since the trade, launching Gobert as the featured anchor, the Utah Jazz have climbed to 14th in NBA defensive rating.

Meanwhile, the Thunder’s defensive rating has continued to trickle downward since adding Kanter as a starter.

"We’ll keep track of these defensive ratings for the remainder of the season, using filter snapshots every few games to see if hyperbole can morph into reality.–The J Notes, February 21, 2015, Utah Jazz Defensive Hyperbole Rant"

Utah Jazz defensive rating Feb 21, 2015

A few games later, the sample size grew and the Jazz continued to rise.

Utah Jazz defensive rating Mar 11, 2015

And rise…

Utah Jazz defensive rating Mar 16, 2015

And rise. Now we’re here, poised to pass up the OKC Thunder and their coveted model, nipping at their heels as the season comes to a close.

Dennis Lindsey traded Enes Kanter opening the door for Quin Snyder to raise the Utah Jazz defensive rating dramatically

The dramatic rise of the Utah Jazz defensive rating, surely slated to leave the OKC Thunder in the dust by season’s close, has many factors. But none are more stark than Utah Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey — with help from former GM Kevin O’Connor — moving Enes Kanter at the trade deadline, making the way clear for Quin Snyder to utilize the tremendous talents of Rudy Gobert to their fullest.

It appears to be sorcery, but the Utah Jazz roster construction has been stellar, coupled with dedication and attention to detail by coach Quin Snyder and an utter buy-in to it by the players. Dreams have become reality in Utah.

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