The J-Notes
Fansided

Grading the Opening Weeks of the 2016-17 Utah Jazz Season

By Ryan Aston

Nov 11, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) high fives forward Joe Ingles (2) against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) high fives forward Joe Ingles (2) against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Utah Jazz Rudy Gobert George Hill
Oct 12, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) is held by Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) while running down the floor during the first quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

The Starting Lineup

One is more than the loneliest number that you’ll ever do. It also happens to be the number of games this season the Utah Jazz have been able to field their expected starting lineup of Hill-Hood-Hayward-Favors-Gobert. Sadly, as Favors is expected to miss extended time, that will continue to be the case for the forseeable future.

Gobert is the only starter yet to miss any action. As such, there have been multiple occasions when the Jazz have taken the floor with more than one starter missing. As one might expect, they’ve struggled mightily in most of those games.

However, the team’s improved depth has allowed them to weather the storm when only one starter has been out. Joe Johnson, Boris Diaw, Trey Lyles, Shelvin Mack, Dante Exum and Joe Ingles have all received starts this season because of the injury bug.

With Hayward sitting early, Hill was able to hold court with the remaining starters and capture some wins, most notably on the road against the San Antonio Spurs. Meanwhile, Hayward was able to keep things rolling at times while Hill sat. Particularly during the aforementioned Eastern swing.

On the year, G-Time is averaging 20.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and nearly four assists per game. That said, he’s struggled with his shot at times since returning from a broken finger.

When Hayward and Hill have played together, the Jazz are undefeated. Unfortunately, that’s only happened on three occasions so far.

As for Rodney Hood and Rudy Gobert, things have been pretty solid. Hood is averaging 16.4 points and nearly five rebounds per game while hitting 38 percent of his three-point shots. Gobert has been a double-double machine, averaging 10.5 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. He’s also among the league leaders in blocks at 2.5 per contest.

It’s tough to grade the starters, since we’ve yet to see a consistent rotation. But, on the whole, the first team has done pretty well for itself despite the revolving door.

Starters’ Grade: B

Next: Bench Play

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