The Utah Jazz are off to a blisteringly hot start in 2021-22. In fact, according to major media outlet ESPN, no team is hotter. They’ve got the Jazzman in the pole position in their most recent power rankings.
Do the Utah Jazz deserve the top spot?
It’s hard to quarrel with the Jazz’s placement in ESPN’s rankings, but if you’re inclined to, there’s a pretty good chance you’re a Miami Heat fan. The Jazz’s fourth-ranked Offensive Rating (112.9) and third-ranked Defensive Rating (100.8) have resulted in the league’s second-best Net Rating (12.1). If you guessed the following, congratulate yourself on the strength of your deductive reasoning: the Miami Heat have the NBA’s best Net Rating (16.8).
If anybody wanted to make the case that the Miami Heat have been more impressive than the Utah Jazz this season, we may not even stop them. However, we’re assuming that these rankings do bake in last season’s results to an extent. This iteration of the Jazz has a more proven track record than the Heat.
If Miami sustains this level of success, they’ll challenge Utah for the top spot in ESPN’s Power Rankings. For the time being, the Jazzmen have earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to each squad’s sterling 6-1 record.
Utah Jazz ‘Tower’ over competition
Much of the Jazz’s immense success over the course of the 2021-22 season to-date can be attributed to the MVP-level play of Rudy Gobert. His basic counting stats of 15.7 points, 17.6 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per contest are impressive enough, but the devil is in the details of his advanced metrics.
The Stifle Tower’s 136 Offensive Rating is patently absurd. In all likelihood, that mark is due for regression. Nonetheless, Gobert earns his keep on offense in a myriad of ways that aren’t captured by basic counting stats. His elite screen setting creates ample space for the Jazzmen’s bevy of three-point shooters to operate. In fact, his 6.3 screen assists per game pace the entire National Basketball Association.
Beyond his screening, Gobert generates efficient offense for the Utah Jazz with his vertical spacing. His 72.3% accuracy from the field is indicative of arguably the best pick-and-roll finisher in the league.
While that percentage is even more likely to drop than Gobert’s Offensive Rating, he does figure to maintain elite status in both of those statistical categories for the duration of the season. Meanwhile, his Defensive Rating of 90 would also be historic, but may be sustainable. Even with slight regression, look for Gobert to continue pacing the NBA in that category as the season wears on.
Utah Jazz cohesion
As we’ve thoroughly detailed, not every member of the Utah Jazz is performing at Gobert’s level. Nonetheless, it’s an encouraging sign that the Jazzmen have managed to maintain the NBA’s second-best Net Rating even in the midst of several shooting slumps from key rotation players.
Beyond the statistics, there is a discernable air of confidence surrounding this team. The Jazz present as a club who are well aware of their championship potential, and focused on the task ahead. Sometimes, that intangible quality is as valuable as anything a team can measure with numbers.
Utah Jazz fans should be encouraged by their squad’s placement in ESPN’s Power Rankings, but also should not lose focus on the long road ahead. At the very least, the Miami Heat are knocking on their door. For the time being, the Jazz occupy the outlet’s top spot, and deservingly so.