The J-Notes
Fansided

Four reasons why the Utah Jazz will make the playoffs in 2018

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JULY 18: Jonas Jerebko #8 and Thabo Sefolosha #22 of the Utah Jazz attend a press conference after signing with the Utah Jazz at Grand America Hotel on July 18, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Keith Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JULY 18: Jonas Jerebko #8 and Thabo Sefolosha #22 of the Utah Jazz attend a press conference after signing with the Utah Jazz at Grand America Hotel on July 18, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Keith Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 6: Head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz reacts to a first half call during their game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 6, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 6: Head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz reacts to a first half call during their game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 6, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /

Incredible Coaching

In a lot of ways, the Utah Jazz didn’t receive nearly the amount of credit they deserved for what they were able to accomplish last season. Despite missing several starters for nearly the entire year (Utah’s starters played just 14 games together last season), they were still able to come together and win 51 games.

That trend continued in the postseason where half of Utah’s playoff wins came with a starter out of commission (Rudy Gobert in Game 1 and Gordon Hayward in Game 4). And a lot of the credit for being able to orchestrate that phenomenal next man up mentality goes to head coach Quin Snyder.

In the wake of all the injuries and the constant rotation changes, Snyder managed to navigate the treacherous waters incredibly in a situation where lesser coaches and teams would have folded. Quin’s ability to adapt on the fly, not only to other teams’ strategies, but also to the hiccups his own roster faced, truly made him one of the most savvy coaches in the league. The fact that he wasn’t nominated as one of the Coach of the Year finalists was an absolute travesty in my mind.

Beyond Snyder, the rest of Utah’s coaching staff has been widely heralded as well, especially in terms of their player development expertise. The rapid ascensions of Rudy Gobert and Gordon Hayward are evidence in and of themselves of what the Utah coaches are capable of doing with their players, and with several young guns that absolutely have to continue to improve in order for the Jazz to be successful next season, it’s good to know that they’ll be in good hands.

Although there’s certainly going to have to be some adjustments made in the wake of Hayward’s departure, there’s no coaching crew I would trust more than Quin Snyder and Co. to be able to adapt and get the team back on track as quickly as possible.

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