Grading the Opening Weeks of the 2016-17 Utah Jazz Season
By Ryan Aston
Gordon Hayward, George Hill and the Utah Jazz are facing heightened expectations this season. How have they fared through one month of action?
We’re just over a month into the 2016-17 NBA season and, already, it’s been a roller-coaster ride for the Utah Jazz. Through 17 games, the Jazz hold a 9-8 record, but that middling mark hardly paints a proper portrait of the campaign thus far.
Just a few short weeks ago, the team had won four out of five games on a difficult Eastern Conference road trip and looked like a legitimate contender in the West. That was followed in short order by a four-game losing streak and questions on both sides of the ball.
Now the Jazz have suddenly won back-to-back games and are coming off their best defensive performance of the season.
There have been some incredible individual efforts from Jazz players. Gordon Hayward and George Hill, for example, have played like All-Stars when they’ve actually been in the lineup and healthy. However, guys like Derrick Favors and Boris Diaw have stalled out of the gate thanks to their ailments.
Given the incredible highs, the disappointing lows and the mountain of injuries plaguing the team once again, what have we really learned about the Jazz? After one month, how does one evaluate their performance? It’s easier said than done in a season that’s been as chaotic as this, but I’m equal to the task.
My grades for the Utah Jazz after the jump…
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