No one should argue against the notion that this has been a very disappointing start for the Utah Jazz. 1-5 is bad, no questions asked, and making it more painful is that unlike the two previous seasons, they didn't want it to start this way.
Yesterday's loss to Portland was especially painful. Not just because the Jazz have now lost four in a row, but because they got blown out at home. Before that, there was legitimate reason not to feel too concerned about their prior losses, as they kept it close, but losing by that many to the Trail Blazers.
Alright, the fanbase gets it by now and they don't need to be lectured on how this was not the start they wanted to see. And it's tough to look on the bright side, but there is another reason to do just that, and that goes beyond that a few of their losses have been quite close. In short, Utah has had one of the NBA's toughest schedules.
No, really. ESPN can confirm this. In their Strength of Schedule rankings, Utah has had the third-toughest schedule in the league (.614), behind only Houston and Dallas.
Yes, the losing has sucked, but the Jazz have only just recently turned over a new leaf when they flipped the switch starting this season. Losing five of their first six games is not a great development by any means, but it's fair to believe that they were thrown to the wolves.
Once the games get easier, then we'll know whether to be concerned
Eventually, Utah will face easier teams. Memphis wasn't expected to be anywhere near this good, but their 7-0 start is is solid proof that they are for real. The Lakers, Spurs, and Trail Blazers will all very much be in the thick of the playoff race. The only team the Jazz have faced that is among the lesser competition in the league is the Pelicans, and they also might not be as bad as we thought.
Not helping is the fact that Jaren Jackson Jr. is going to be out until well into December at the earliest. So not only have they been unlucky with how tough their schedule has been to start, but they've had to fight without their prized acquisition from last season.
Their next six games are going to be up against San Antonio, New Orleans, Dallas, Minnesota, Miami, and Orlando. That's... better? To some degree maybe? Even harder is that the first four games will be on the road. It's very possible that this hole is going to get bigger, but it may reflect on just how tough the circumstances than how the Jazz are as a team.
Add us as a preferred source on Google