Utah Jazz: 2015-16 NBA Predictions And Staff Picks

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Oct 12, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) goes for the shot as the Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) goes for the block in the third quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Jazz MVP

Tyson Newman: G-Time! He’s the glue of this team. His numbers last season were All-Star caliber and I expect better things this season.

Karthik Narayanan: Derrick Favors. He’s the player that makes things work on both sides of the floor.

Greg Foster: Gordon Hayward. He’s the best player, with the best stats on the team. He’s also the bona fide leader, who will continue shouldering the largest load and making the biggest impact.
Who is the most irreplaceable Jazzman? For me, it’s undoubtedly Gordon Hayward. I say this not as a slight to any other Jazzman, but from the perspective of subtraction.

Richard Lu: With the point guard situation as dire as it is, Gordon Hayward needs to take on more responsibility–not only an aggressive scorer, but a playmaker as well. It’s G-Time’s moment to elevate his game to the All-Star level we all know is inside of him.

Ryan Aston: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again–as good as Hayward has been, I think there’s a real chance he’s going to be better than anyone ever imagined. His drive to get better, the way he’s improved his physical body, the growing chip on his shoulder and his role in Coach Snyder’s system will continue to produce incredible results.

Blake Draper: Derrick Favors. Rudy Gobert is known for his defense and rebounding. Gordon Hayward is the most important player for the Jazz on offense. But the Jazz player that does the best job of putting it all together and getting it done as a two-way player is Derrick Favors. For that reason, he will be a key component of the push for the playoffs in a tough Western Conference.

Next: Jazz Rookie of the Year