Utah Jazz: The J-Notes' Western Conference power rankings

Utah Jazz: The J-Notes’ Western Conference composite power rankings, September edition

By Ryan Aston | Sep 18, 2017

HOUSTON, TX - JULY 14: The Houston Rockets introduces Chris Paul as he speaks to the media during a press conference on July 14, 2017 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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SACRAMENTO, CA – APRIL 11: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings greets fans before heading into the tunnel after the game against the Phoenix Suns on April 11, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

12) Sacramento Kings

Avg: 12.4, Hi: 11, Low: 15, Aston: 12

The Zach Randolph situation really saddens me as an NBA junkie. The former All-Star definitely has a checkered past, but had been the model of consistency, veteran leadership and community effort for several years before being charged with marijuana possession and resisting arrest last month.

After cutting a plea deal, he could still be the subject of disciplinary action from the NBA. It’s unfortunate for the Kings, who were clearly looking to establish a winning culture by acquiring Randolph and former Jazzman George Hill over the summer.

Now, they feel more like a strange mix of veterans and youngsters without a discernible direction. Of course, things were so bad in Sacramento that this was probably still the team’s best offseason in years.

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