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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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Mike Conley Trade Utah Jazz Donovan Mitchell Memphis Grizzlies
MEMPHIS, TN – MARCH 8: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz congratulates Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies after the game on March 8, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Utah Jazz

If we were comparing teams merely on paper, I honestly would put the Utah Jazz at number one on this ranking. That’s not just me being a homer either, it’s because the Jazz are as well-rounded and deep as they come. They may not have the best duo in their starting lineup (that honor likely goes to one of the two teams in Los Angeles), but their top-four players can conceivably be considered the best collective four in the West.

Factor in as well that the remainder of their depth throughout the second unit is about as sturdy as they come, and it’s pretty hard to bet against the Jazz. Donovan Mitchell should improve, Rudy Gobert will be out to defend his back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year Award, newcomers Mike Conley and Bojan Bogdanovic should be prolific and they’ll all be led in the system of brilliant head coach Quin Snyder.

That said, the Jazz have a knack for under-performing expectations. And while I still think they’ll be a phenomenal team in 2019-20 with a real chance to compete for a championship, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see some growing pains and stumbling blocks along the way. There are a lot of new faces on this squad and there will most certainly be an adjustment period.

Not only that, but with Mitchell, Gobert and Joe Ingles all participating in the FIBA World Cup this summer, there could be a little fatigue that causes the Jazz to be somewhat slow getting out of the gates. After the past two head-scratching seasons, Jazz fans are far too familiar with slow starts, and as annoying as it may be, it wouldn’t be surprising to see it happen yet again.

Even with some potential bumps along the way, this Jazz team is just too talented and versatile, and I think they’ll give teams all kinds of problems throughout the regular season where they ought to be able to thrive. For that very reason, I’m pinning them at a third place finish heading into the playoffs.

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