Utah Jazz
In the process of assessing why the Golden State Warriors aren’t on the same level as the Utah Jazz, we already made the inverse argument that the Jazz are superior to the Warriors. The proof is in the pudding, or in this case, the net ratings.
A perusal of each team’s roster vindicates the statistics. Again, we’ve already detailed how the Warriors will eventually be forced to decide between leaning heavily on teenagers, or brokering a significant trade. The Jazz face no such dilemma. They’re a veteran heavy outfit who are bringing back their 7 top scorers from a 2020-21 season wherein they finished with the best record in the NBA.
Curry may be the best player between these two clubs, but the Utah Jazz are a more cohesive unit. They have fewer unknown variables: they’re not relying on a Klay Thompson to return to his normal productivity, or a James Wiseman to take a tremendous sophomore leap. They’re built on the backs of known entities, and therefore, they’re the safer bet to have the best record of the 3 remaining undefeated teams when the season draws to a close.
Which is not akin to saying the Jazz are the best team in the league. The Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers are both more talented: time will only tell if they can resolve their substantial internal issues before the season’s end. The Milwaukee Bucks are probably coasting as the incumbent champions. The Miami Heat are absolutely dangerous, and the fact that they’ve lost a game compared to the 3 teams in this article is meaningless at this early stage in the season.
Luckily, this article was never about the best team in the NBA. It was about the best among the teams that remain undefeated. The Chicago Bulls have a lot left to prove before they’re worthy of consideration among teams like the Golden State Warriors and the Utah Jazz, and we’ll take Salt Lake City’s finest over the Warriors in a pinch as well.