The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Four reasons to feel encouraged about Utah’s chances against Houston

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 2: on February 2, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 2: on February 2, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – FEBRUARY 02: Head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz reacts to a call in the first half of a NBA game against the Houston Rockets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 2, 2019 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. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – FEBRUARY 02: Head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz reacts to a call in the first half of a NBA game against the Houston Rockets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 2, 2019 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. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Quin Snyder’s brilliance and time to prep

In each of the past two first-round series, the Utah Jazz were the fifth seed and as such the underdog. In neither series were they given much chance to win. How could they defeat Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan? How could they get past Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Steven Adams? Now the question is, how can they take down James Harden, Chris Paul and Clint Capela?

It certainly won’t be easy. It may not even be possible. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned the past two seasons, it’s that Quin Snyder always has his team prepared for the first round. With ample time to get ready for their opponent leading up to Sunday’s Game 1, expect Quin to have his guys primed to exceed expectations. He’s already proven as much by out-coaching both Doc Rivers and Billy Donovan in consecutive seasons.

Doing so against Mike D’Antoni will be tough, especially given how he’s thrived in Houston, but if history has taught us anything, it’s that it’s certainly possible.

And even though Snyder and the Jazz were outmatched a year ago against the Rockets, they went into that series after a hard-fought bout against OKC whereas Houston came in from a gentleman’s sweep of the Minnesota Timberwolves. With an even playing field in terms of rest, prep and mental/emotional exhaustion, I’m liking Quin’s chances of sticking it to D’Antoni and coming in with a superior and well-executed gameplan.

It’s hard to stop a guy like Harden and you can bet he’ll still thrive. But if anyone can conjure up a way to slow him and his teammates, it’ll be Snyder.

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