The J-Notes
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Top 5 “Get outta your seat” moments from 2016-17 Utah Jazz season

By Jared Woodcox

Apr 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz players celebrate after forward Joe Johnson (not pictured) scored the winning basket as time expires in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the LA Clippers at Staples Center. The Jazz won 97-95. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz players celebrate after forward Joe Johnson (not pictured) scored the winning basket as time expires in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the LA Clippers at Staples Center. The Jazz won 97-95. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA;Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) scores over LA Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) and center DeAndre Jordan (6) to win game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs 97-95 at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA;Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) scores over LA Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) and center DeAndre Jordan (6) to win game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs 97-95 at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

#1. Joe Johnson Game 1 Winner

You had to know this one was coming, not only because I just alluded to it earlier but because, hey, this was one awesome shot. The Jazz were considered underdogs in what was their first playoff series since 2012, had lost Rudy Gobert to injury in the opening seconds and had been in an absolute dogfight all game long in their first playoff contest of 2017.

Yet despite all that, the game was tied in the waning moments. And who did the Jazz turn to? The one and only Joe Johnson.

The second Jamal Crawford switched on to him and Iso Joe was able to take him one-on-one, you know that JJ was licking his chops. Johnson expertly backed Crawford down, put up the shot just over the outstretched hand of DeAndre Jordan and let the ball bounce precisely on the rim for just long enough before dropping through as the game expired, giving Utah the win and a 1-0 lead despite the odds.

Enough of my explanation, though. Just watch the dang thing again for yourself here:

What. A. Shot. This one not only had me out of my seat but running around the room like a mad man. The reaction from Johnson’s teammates made the whole thing priceless as well. Given that winning this game would set the tone for the remainder of the series and undoubtedly led to the Jazz series victory, there’s no questioning why it finished number one on the list.

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I waffled back and forth on this top five list and quite frankly could have probably done about a top 50 or more with all the awesome plays this season. I’m a little bummed that no Rudy Gobert plays ended up making the cut such as his reverse jam to seal the deal against the Phoenix Suns, his game winner against the Sacramento Kings or his coast-to-coast against the Portland Trail Blazers, but at the end of the day these five were the ones I felt were most deserving.

But what do you think? Are there highlight plays from 2016-17 that were snubbed from this list? Be sure to leave me a note below or hit me up on Twitter with your favorite “get outta your seat” moments!

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