The J-Notes
Fansided

The curse of who? – Four ridiculous explanations to the Utah Jazz’s slow start

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 19: Jonas Jerebko #21 of the Golden State Warriors talks with media after the game against the Utah Jazz on October 19, 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 19: Jonas Jerebko #21 of the Golden State Warriors talks with media after the game against the Utah Jazz on October 19, 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CA – NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz looks on and reacts to his teams play on the court during an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on November 25, 2018 in Sacramento, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz looks on and reacts to his teams play on the court during an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on November 25, 2018 in Sacramento, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

The disappointing start to the Utah Jazz season has been difficult to figure out. At this point, one can’t help but wonder if perhaps the team has been cursed…

It’s been an ugly 21 games for the Utah Jazz and their fans. Sitting at just 9-12 and suffering several blowout losses already, the 2018-19 season hasn’t gotten off to anywhere near the start the team had hoped. After finishing the 2017-18 campaign out strong and leaning on keeping the team together for another run, many had this Jazz team finishing in the top five in the West, some as high as second.

As it turns out, right now they actually are in second. Second to last, that is. Utah leads only the Phoenix Suns for dead last in the Western Conference.

And while the idea of continuity and cohesion was a widely accepted and praised one before the season’s start, unfortunately it’s not looking so great now. Utah looks out of sync and off kilter in just about every facet of their game.

As such, there are plenty of logical explanations as to why they Jazz have struggled this year. The spacing is poor due to an overwhelming lack of shooters. The defense hasn’t been nearly as dominant as in years past, including that of Rudy Gobert. Ricky Rubio and Donovan Mitchell have been as inefficient as they come. The list goes on and on.

But rather than continue to beat a dead horse and harp on glaring issues that are all too real and all too painful, I’ve decided to take a break from the depressing reality and instead lay the blame for Utah’s poor start on another factor entirely. Namely, reasons so absurd and ridiculous that they might just be true.

The Jazz made very few moves this offseason – that was kind of the point, remember? – but the ones they did may have very well had major impacts. I’d go so far as to say that there’s a curse looming over this team, and I believe there’s four primary culprits that could be doing this harm to the Jazz.

Join with me as I roll out the four culprits that may be truly responsible for Utah’s early downfall.

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