The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Awards Predictions for the 2017-18 season

By John Keeffer

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 04: The Maurice Podoloff Trophy trophy during the 2014-15 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award presentation at Oakland Convention Center on May 04, 2015 in Oakland, California. 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 2015 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 04: The Maurice Podoloff Trophy trophy during the 2014-15 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award presentation at Oakland Convention Center on May 04, 2015 in Oakland, California. 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 2015 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – SEPTEMBER 25: Rodney Hood
PORTLAND, OR – SEPTEMBER 25: Rodney Hood /

Offensive Player of the Year – Rodney Hood

The Jazz are going to be asking a lot out of Rodney Hood this season, and while we all have our doubts about if he can handle the increased load on offense, there is no doubt that he is the most equipped to handle it. When analyzing the Jazz roster, no other player is as capable of scoring 20 points on a nightly basis.

In a recent NBA TV feature on Rodney Hood, he stated that he wants to become an All-Star. His actions tell me that he really is committed to becoming just that, as he stayed in Utah all summer to work with Johnnie Bryant. Bryant is an Assistant Coach for the Utah Jazz, and the same coach who worked with Gordon Hayward and helped mold him into an All-Star.

That being said, I don’t expect Hood to score 20 points a night. I think he will definitely have his fair share of scoring outburst, but over the course of the season, he is more like to fall in the 16-18 points per game range. They are going to go to him early and often, and he will be our go-to guy down the stretch of close games.

Last season, Gordon Hayward was averaging roughly 17 shots per game, while Hood was taking 12. It is more than likely going to be Hood who takes a large chunk of those shots. If he jumps up to 16-17 shots a game, while maintaining the same shooting efficiency, he should be able to average roughly 18 points a night.

For a Utah Jazz team that is going to be desperate for offense, that should be enough to make him the Offensive Player of the Year for the Jazz.

Honorable Mention: Ricky Rubio. He may not score, but his passing and fast break ability, could greatly help the Jazz offense stay afloat. That will be more valuable than people realize.

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