The J-Notes
Fansided

The Utah Jazz’s defense is perfect for Halloween but in all the wrong ways

By Chad Porto

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 28: Eric Gordon #23 of the Phoenix Suns attempts a three-point shot against the Utah Jazz during the first half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on October 28, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 28: Eric Gordon #23 of the Phoenix Suns attempts a three-point shot against the Utah Jazz during the first half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on October 28, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The Utah Jazz’s defense is perfect for Halloween, but not in a good way.

The Utah Jazz are the perfect team for this Halloween season. Like any good Halloween movie or show, watching the Jazz play defense is spooky and scary. If you’ve watched any of the first three games, you can see how frightfully bad the unit has been.

Heading into the Denver Nuggets game on Monday night, The Jazz were among the worst, if not the worst, defense in the NBA through three games. Part of the reason is getting guys like John Collins integrated into the defensive system, the other major reason has to do with the fact that the team is playing so many small-ball lineups.

It’s been a bad experience so far, but how bad?  Well, bad. The Utah Jazz were dead last in points given up in the NBA heading into Monday night’s slate of games. They’re giving up 124.7 points per game, which is good enough for dead last.

The Jazz are giving up the 9th most shotts, and are allowing the third-worst conversion rate on those shots; with 50.4% of opponent shots hitting their target. They’re not just allowing teams to make shots on them, but they can’t seem to slow down the passing lanes either, with opposing teams averaging 25.7 assists per game; the 11th worst in the league.

And if that wasn’t bad enough, they’re 29th in point differential. This is not a good unit. According to Hashtag Basketball, the issue isn’t even the point guard or center spots, but at forward. The combined amount of points given up is worse among the wings, and considering how often the Jazz’s head coach, Will Hardy, likes to play short at the small forward position, it isn’t surprising that the position is giving up 32.4 points per game.

The lack of size when Lauri Markkanen comes off the court is hurting the Jazz, which is why we likely saw Simone Fontecchio get some minutes in the third game of the season.

The Jazz need to figure out a way to figure out how to slow down opposing teams, which may mean finally putting to bed the dreadful 10-man rotation and the five or six guard rotations we’ve seen this season.

Next. The Utah Jazz would like to know what has been up with Walker Kessler?. dark

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