The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: 2017-18 Northwest Division Comparison – December

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 1: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz talks with media after the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 1, 2017 at vivint.SmartHome Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 1: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz talks with media after the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 1, 2017 at vivint.SmartHome Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- DECEMBER 1: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 1, 2017 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Layne Murdoch Sr./NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- DECEMBER 1: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 1, 2017 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Layne Murdoch Sr./NBAE via Getty Images) /

Oklahoma City Thunder

Current Record: 9-12

Standings: 5th in Division, 9th in Conference

It’s no stretch whatsoever to say that the Oklahoma City Thunder have been one of the most disappointing teams in the league this season. Sure, a 9-12 start that includes big wins over the likes of the Golden State Warriors and most recently the Minnesota Tiimberwolves isn’t a death sentence by any means, but considering the talent on that roster, they really should be doing much, much better.

In fact, many NBA experts as well as myself had the Thunder pinned as easily the fourth best team in the Western Conference with a significant drop-off in talent after that. However, considering their struggles with chemistry, they currently find themselves outside of the playoff mix completely and certainly not as foreboding as several of the teams ahead of them in the standings.

They’re just 5-5 in their last ten and somehow have managed a worse road record than the Jazz of 2-9. Simply put, the Thunder have not figured out how to best utilize their three stars and if they’re unable to right the ship soon, they’ll be facing an uphill battle to get back in the thick of things in the Western Conference.

Strictly from an individual stats standpoint, all three of OKC’s Big 3 are playing relatively well, especially in terms of points per game, but their shooting percentages leave something to be desired, they’re not closing games out well at all and quite frankly they just aren’t working well enough together to produce wins.

OKC might need to make some significant shake-ups to get out of this funk and improve, but whatever they end up doing, I do think they’ll find a way to figure this out. Paul George and Russell Westbrook both have figured out ways in the past to push a lackluster team to the postseason and with their combined talent they ought to be able to do the same with this OKC team.

We’ll see where they’re at by the end of December, but I believe that one way or another the Thunder will figure out a way to qualify for the playoffs.

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