Utah Jazz vs Eastern Conference
A similar exercise of comparing Net Ratings doesn’t hold the same value when comparing the Jazz to their two most prominent Eastern Conference rivals in the Milwaukee Bucks and the Brooklyn Nets. The Bucks have dealt with injuries all season: they’re 11-1 when their Big 3 of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday all play. Meanwhile, the Nets have been without Kyrie Irving, but everyone on God’s flat earth already knew that.
Instead, a theoretical comparison of the Jazz with both teams is more useful. As it turns out, the Jazz could use one extra defensive wing in the event that they face either in the NBA Finals, albeit for different reasons.
Giannis Antetokounmpo may be the most singular physical force the NBA has seen since Shaq. No team in the NBA can stop him, and realistically, only the league’s most elite defensive units have a chance at even slowing him down.
This Utah Jazz defense begins in the middle, where the team is as well-equipped as any to contest Giannis’ ferocious forays into the paint. Rudy Gobert will be right there to greet him for the bulk of any game, and Hassan Whiteside does an admirable job replacing his presence when the Stifle Tower needs a seat.
The Jazz are defensively set on the interior, and nobody would dispute that. However, an extra plus perimeter defender might go a long way towards minimizing the Greek Freak’s opportunities to get there in the first place. As it stands, Royce O’Neale leads this team in Defensive Box Plus/Minus at 2.6. That’s impressive, but at 6’5, he may be a poor choice as a primary assignment for Giannis. Of course, nobody can stop Giannis. Still, another hard-nosed defensive wing to give it their best shot might be useful to the Utah Jazz in a hypothetical Finals match with the defending champs.
If the Utah Jazz could use an extra perimeter stopper against the Bucks, they might need one even more against a healthy Brooklyn Nets squad. Their 111.59 Offensive Rating may not be elite at 8th overall, but considering they’ve managed to rank within the top 10 in Irving’s absence, they should be lethal if he returns.
After O’Neale, the next best wing defender on the Jazz according to Defensive Box Plus/Minus is Joe Ingles at 0.2. Ingles is a crafty team defender, but even with James Harden struggling, it’s not inspiring to imagine a slow-footed Jingles guarding him while O’Neale does everything he can to slow down Kevin Durant.
In assessing the Utah Jazz and their stiffest competition for this year’s NBA championship, it’s hard to deny that the club could use a small upgrade to put them over the top. They may be a strong wing defender away from claiming best team in the league status.