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Can the Utah Jazz Win the Northwest Division?

By Jared Woodcox

Mar 24, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) is congratulated by center Enes Kanter (11) after a play against the Utah Jazz during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) is congratulated by center Enes Kanter (11) after a play against the Utah Jazz during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) celebrates with guard Rodney Hood (5) after a play in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Jazz defeated the Nuggets 100-84. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) celebrates with guard Rodney Hood (5) after a play in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Jazz defeated the Nuggets 100-84. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Do the Utah Jazz Measure Up?

So then the question lies in just where the Jazz will compare to their division foes this upcoming season. While I know that anything can happen in the NBA, I feel quite confident that Denver and Minnesota will claim the final two spots in the division. When looking at OKC, Portland and Utah, however, it really is a toss-up of how the other three spots will shake out.

What makes it even more difficult to judge is how much mystery is truthfully surrounding the Jazz. On paper, they should be much, much better with the additions of George Hill, Joe Johnson and Boris Diaw as well as the healthy returns of Dante Exum and Alec Burks.

Yet as I mentioned previously, the combination of potential chemistry issues and the pressure of heightened expectations could trouble the Jazz. Still, these issues aside, when looking at the 10-man rotations of each of these three squads, it isn’t a stretch to say the Jazz have the deepest roster and most total talent of the three.

Sure, the Thunder have an All-Star in Westbrook and the Blazers have an All-Star in Lillard, but the Jazz have a lock-down defender in George Hill that can slow them down. Beyond those two, it’s hard to see where either Portland or OKC has a clear advantage over the Jazz. So while the Jazz aren’t by any means set to be the guaranteed division winner, they certainly have the potential to be.

In essence it boils down to how well the Jazz can reach their potential. While the 2016-17 campaign may end up revealing that the Jazz aren’t the best team in the Northwest Division, from what we know now, Utah certainly appears to have the highest ceiling of any team in the division.

If the young core continues its steady improvement, the team stays healthy, the new veterans fit in seamlessly and the second unit proves worthy of being called the number one bench in the NBA, then there is absolutely no reason why the Jazz can’t take the division.

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But the NBA is an unforgiving and unpredictable league. Unless Utah can make an enormous leap this year from last season, there’s no guarantee of them even making the playoffs, let alone winning their division.

While the Jazz have the best shot they’ve had in several years to claim the division it still won’t be easy, as you can expect Oklahoma City and Portland to be dangerous and formidable opponents in the battle for the Northwest Division title.

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