Where do the Utah Jazz really rank in the Western Conference?

2. Utah Jazz vs Golden State Warriors

We decided to keep the Warriors’ writeup short. We basically already covered them in the Jazz writeup.

The Warriors have the clear best player between these two teams in Steph Curry. With Andrew Wiggins’ substantial improvement this season, it’s hard to give the Jazz an advantage in depth either.

Granted, the Warriors’ 11th best Offensive Rating (111.9) does not inspire. It still feels more likely that they can improve that mark than the Jazz can their defense. Our reasoning is simple: Steph Curry exists.

He’s not enjoying his finest season, but he’s a candidate to go supernova any time. By contrast, the Utah Jazz and their shakey perimeter defense feel like more of a structural problem.

1. Utah Jazz vs Phoenix Suns

We also decided to keep the Suns’ writeup short. There isn’t much to say: they’re the best team in the National Basketball Association.

They have the best Net Rating (7.8). They’re the only team in the top 5 in Offensive and Defensive Rating. What else is there to say?

The Suns’ lack of star power may hold them back. They do not roster a consensus top 10 player. Still, that’s more likely to hurt them against some powerhouses in the Eastern Conference (the Sixers, Bucks and Nets come to mind) than any in the West.

In particular, it’s no shortcoming against the Utah Jazz, who also lean into depth more than top weight. Both of these teams are elite, but the Jazz will have their work cut out for them if they meet the Suns in the playoffs.

The Utah Jazz have not looked like the best team in the Western Conference in 2021-22. They haven’t been far off either, and they still have time to improve.