The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz fan wish list for the upcoming 2018-19 season

By Jared Woodcox

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 2: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz and Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz celebrate after the game against the Houston Rockets in Game Two of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - MAY 2: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz and Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz celebrate after the game against the Houston Rockets in Game Two of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – FEBRUARY 26: Rudy Gobert #27, Derrick Favors #15, and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz high five during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 26, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – FEBRUARY 26: Rudy Gobert #27, Derrick Favors #15, and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz high five during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 26, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Internal Improvement extravaganza

While a Jazz wish list could probably run on for pages and pages (I know that mine could), I’ll wrap up with this final item. The Jazz decided to opt for continuity and cohesion over anything else heading into next season. And for that to work out in Utah’s favor to produce a stunning team, they’ll need to see internal improvement galore.

This means that Donovan Mitchell needs to take yet another massive step forward from his rookie season. Rudy Gobert needs to be more effective on both ends of the floor. Ricky Rubio has to keep up his play from the end of last season and make that his consistent level of performance throughout an entire year. Derrick Favors has to continue to improve and own his role. The aforementioned Dante Exum has to break out.

But the list doesn’t stop there. Joe Ingles needs to remain a deadly 3-point threat. Jae Crowder has to get more reliable and effective off the bench. Royce O’Neale needs to develop into a deadly 3-and-D guy and Thabo Sefolosha needs to get back to his pre-injury self. I could go on and on.

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It’s probably unlikely that all of those things will happen, but I think it’s entirely plausible for Jazz fans to have on their wish list that the team as a whole undergoes massive internal improvements. The Jazz development program has set itself apart as one of the most effective in the league and is a major reason why the team has been as good as it has.

Why not expect it to take yet another step forward?

If the Jazz are going to be a force to be reckoned with next year, this one wish list item may very well be the most important. As the age-old mantra goes, “Championships are won in the offseason.” The Jazz have a chance to make major strides and improve collectively this summer by working their tails off to elevate their game.

Doing so will be their key to climbing the NBA ranks and as such, should be the number one wish Utah Jazz fans have for the 2018-19 season.

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