The J-Notes
Fansided

3 reasons the Utah Jazz will be just fine after Game 5 meltdown

By Tyler Thorpe

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 18: Donovan Mitchell #45 and Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz after the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Two of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 18 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Sr./NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 18: Donovan Mitchell #45 and Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz after the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Two of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 18 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Sr./NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Utah Jazz
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 23: The Utah Jazz huddle up during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Team > Individual

Coming into the series, many cited the Thunder’s star-studded lineup as the factor that tipped the series in their favor. Over the first five games, Utah’s team-oriented system has proven that theory dead wrong.

The NBA has become increasingly focused on superstars and super teams. The Jazz are proving that a well-coached team that plays together can be just as dangerous, if not more, than a team that features three potential Hall of Famers.

It has taken a 36-point performance in Game 1 from Paul George and a 45-point outburst from Westbrook in Game 5 to outduel the Jazz this series. While there is no denying that Russ and PG are not more than capable of replicating those efforts this series, Utah’s team system is far more reliable on a nightly basis.

Those numbers, however, are extremely hard to reproduce, especially on the road. If Utah can prevent one of OKC’s “Big 3” (Really Big 2. Sorry, Melo) from having another huge game offensively, I like Utah’s chances.

Utah can beat you in so many different ways.

Game 4 was a perfect example of this…

That’s what made Westbrook’s prime to “shut down” Ricky Rubio in Game 4 so comical. Utah’s system does not rely on a single player like Rubio to have a huge scoring night for the Jazz to win.

Even when Donovan Mitchell is struggling to find his shot early, players like Joe Ingles or Derrick Favors have regularly picked up the slack.

Again, there is no denying that Westbrook and George have the ability to singlehandedly will their team to victory, I’ll take Utah’s TEAM 10-out-of-10 times.

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