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Utah Jazz: Northwest Division Comparison – January

By Jared Woodcox

Dec 14, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) defends against Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 109-89. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) defends against Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 109-89. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 25, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots against the Utah Jazz in the second half at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots against the Utah Jazz in the second half at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

Portland Trail Blazers

Current Record: 15-21

Standings: 3rd in Division, 9th in Conference

The Trail Blazers have been one of the most disappointing teams in the league up to this point in the season. Many people expected that last year they’d have a season similar to how they’ve started this year as it was their first go without LaMarcus Aldridge, but they ended up surprisingly good, finishing with a 44-38 record and the fifth seed in the West.

However, from the look of things in 2016-17, perhaps they set the bar for themselves a little too high. It seemed like the Blazers would be able to build off of their success from last season, but instead they’re headed in the wrong direction.

Related Story: Utah Jazz: Northwest Division Comparison - December

With the exception of a three-game slate in October, the Trail Blazers have yet to post a winning record in a month this year and were terrible in December, going just 4-11. They’re also just 3-7 in their last ten and for one reason or another aren’t anywhere close to the team they were last season.

Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum continue to produce at a high level, but Portland simply isn’t getting enough production out of the rest of their players. Evan Turner, who the Blazers spent big money on this offseason, has been a huge disappointment, and with a severe lack of lockdown defenders, Portland’s defense has struggled big time.

Their defense has been even worse than Denver’s as they rank 28th in the league in opponent points per game. They also don’t have much of a presence in the post and their rebounding numbers have suffered dramatically as a result.

Honestly, when looking up and down Portland’s roster, it’s not surprising to see them where they’re at, but they were able to come together as a team so well last season that it’s a bit shocking to see them falling apart in recent weeks this time around.

Nevertheless, Terry Stotts has proven himself in the past as a solid coach, Lillard and McCollum make up one of the best backcourt duos in the league and in a Western Conference that currently has the inconsistent Kings as its eighth seed, I have a hard time believing that Portland won’t right the ship well enough to punch their way back in the playoffs.

However, given that they’re currently 6.5 games behind the second-place Oklahoma City Thunder, I don’t believe that Portland will move up any higher than third in the division.

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