The J-Notes
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Five Things the Utah Jazz Need to Make the Playoffs

By Jared Woodcox

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Jan 2, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) sits courtside during warm-ups prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) sits courtside during warm-ups prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Stay Healthy

While this final task is almost entirely out of the team’s control, the players must still do everything they can over the offseason to ensure that they come into the 2016-17 campaign fully in shape and ready to go at full speed.

It isn’t unrealistic by any means to say that if Derrick Favors, Rudy Gobert, Alec Burks and Dante Exum hadn’t been plagued by injuries all season long, this Jazz team could have easily been in the thick of the playoff race.

Although Utah did a commendable job at bouncing back and hanging tough despite the onslaught of injuries, there’s no question that, in order to be successful in this league, the best players have to be healthy. While the four items mentioned before this one are all very important for the Jazz to take a significant step forward, the simple good fortune of remaining healthy probably would have been all they needed to make the playoffs this season.

If they’re able to keep their best team on the court, including any new additions, for the majority of the season, there’s no doubt in my mind that this Jazz team will finally qualify for that elusive playoff spot.

Next: Final Thoughts

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