Up until recently, Utah Jazz fans could count on their team to rank within the top 3 of any publication’s Power Rankings. They’ve boasted a historically elite Offensive Rating throughout much of 2021-22, with a great defense to boot. They’ve looked the part of bonafide NBA championship contenders.
It’s a little harder to make that claim recently. The Jazz are officially on a four-game losing skid. Granted, they’ve been without Rudy Gobert for all four of those losses. They were without the majority of their rotation for the first one. Excuses may be plentiful, but they couldn’t keep the Jazzmen from sliding all the way down to seventh in Bleacher Report’s most recent Power Rankings.
Looking at the six teams ahead of them, it’s hard to argue with any of BR’s logic.
Utah Jazz vs Chicago Bulls
The Bulls didn’t have a great week either, finishing just 2-2. On a related note, that’s substantially better than 0-4. They have a better win percentage (69.2) than the Utah Jazz (66.7). Furthermore, they’re on top of the Eastern Conference, while the Jazz sit just fourth in the West. The Bulls deserve their placement ahead of the Jazz.
Utah Jazz vs Brooklyn Nets
You could make a case for placing the Jazz ahead of the Nets. They have a better win percentage than the borough representatives (63.4). That’s fine, but the Nets just got Kyrie Irving (partially) back, and absolutely destroyed the Chicago Bulls. The Nets may also be receiving a little benefit of the doubt. With a trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving, it’s hard to argue with granting it to them.