The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Lessons learned from this season’s wins and losses

John Keeffer|
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 9: Head Coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz speaks to the media after the game against the Boston Celtics on November 9, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home 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 - NOVEMBER 9: Head Coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz speaks to the media after the game against the Boston Celtics on November 9, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home 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)
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 17: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the third quarter of the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on November 17, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 17: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the third quarter of the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on November 17, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)

What happens to the defense in losses?

The largest statistical variance I found for the Jazz was when you look at the Defensive Rating in wins versus losses. It is staggering. During wins for the Utah Jazz this season, they boast a defensive rating of 100.1. That would easily be the best defensive mark in the league. During their losses? The defense is non-existent, and drops to a meager 116.6, which would be by far the worst mark in the league.

That is just mind blowing. A difference of 16.5!

Last season, the Jazz still managed to have an average defensive rating of 110 in their losses. Something is just not quite right with the team this season on the defensive end, and it is particularly prevalent in their losses.

Defense and toughness are what made this team great last season, and for the Jazz to be great again, they will have to reestablish that identity.

When we think Utah Jazz defense, we think Rudy Gobert. So it is easy to just assume that he is to blame for the defensive woes. I don’t blame Rudy Gobert. It seems like he has been fairly dominant all season. I point the blame at our guards. Too often it feels like there is limited perimeter resistance. They are either allowing uncontested shots, or playing matador defense and relying on Gobert to stop everything.

The Jazz need everyone’s collective effort to improve the issues that have been far too common on defense. It starts with the guards protecting the perimeter.

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