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…
The @utahjazz take a 3-1 lead behind a complete team performance! #NBAPlayoffs
— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2018
Mitchell: 33 PTS, 7 REB
Ingles: 20 PTS, 4 AST
Gobert: 16 PTS, 10 REB
Rubio: 13 PTS, 8 AST, 6 REB#TakeNote 113 | #ThunderUP 96 pic.twitter.com/ZN58qeu0DN
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.