The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Way too early predictions for 2019-20 Western Conference standings

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 09: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets tries to drive through the defense Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 09, 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 - APRIL 09: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets tries to drive through the defense Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 09, 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) /
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PORTLAND, OR – MAY 20: Damian Lillard #0 and CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers look on before the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the Western Conference Finals on May 20, 2019 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. 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 Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – MAY 20: Damian Lillard #0 and CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers look on before the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the Western Conference Finals on May 20, 2019 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. 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 Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers had an interesting summer. They made a lot of changes, essentially swapping out Al-Farouq Aminu, Mo Harkless, Seth Curry, Evan Turner, Meyers Leonard, Jake Layman and Enes Kanter for a much different group of Hassan Whiteside, Kent Bazemore, Mario Hezonja, Anthony Tolliver and Pau Gasol.

While some may say the Blazers got better, others have argued that they got worse. Personally, I don’t know that either is true, instead it may be more accurate to say that they simply ‘got different.’ It’ll be interesting to see what they get out of Whiteside, whose attitude was a large issue in Miami last season, and which version of erratic players such as Bazemore, Hezonja and Rodney Hood show up in Portland.

That’s a lot of question marks that could swing the Blazers well above or well below this slot where I’ve predicted them. However, as long as they have Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum as their pillars, they will remain a playoff team. Portland is another team that’s been tempting to count out the past two seasons. Instead they’ve responded by netting the third seed in the West both times.

They could very well do so again and continue to shine as one of the best teams in the West like they have the past two years. Or they could under-perform and drop below where I have them. Either way, I feel quite safe pinning them at fifth and most definitely as a playoff team.

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