Utah Jazz: A Season of Growth and Development
As we hit the 20-game mark of the Utah Jazz season, it’s time to assess the progress of our young team. The Jazz have shown remarkable growth, particularly in their offensive strategies. In the first 10 games, our offense ranked 29th in the NBA with an offensive rating of 106.2. However, in the next 10 games, we’ve seen a significant improvement, jumping to 16th place with an offensive rating increase of 3.7 points per 100 possessions. This leap is a testament to the adjustments made by head coach Will Hardy and his staff, who shifted from a five-out to a four-out system, repositioning John Collins from center to power forward.
Our effective field goal percentage has also improved, moving from 27th to 14th in the league. While turnovers remain a challenge, decreasing from 18.5% to 17.7% of all possessions, it’s a step in the right direction for a team without a traditional point guard. Offensive rebounding, a staple of Hardy’s philosophy, has increased from 30% to 33%, aligning with the league’s trend of higher offensive rebounding rates.
Defensive Adjustments and Player Development
Defensively, the Jazz have made strides, albeit modest ones. Our defensive rating improved from 119.1 to 118.7, moving us from 27th to 24th in the league. While not a dramatic leap, it’s a positive trend considering we ranked 30th last year. Defensive rebounding has seen a significant boost, climbing from 23rd to 12th, a focus area for Hardy.
The development of our young players is crucial this season. Lauri Markkanen’s progress in isolation and post-up plays is noteworthy. In the first 10 games, Markkanen’s effective field goal percentage on isolation plays was a mere 15%, but it soared to 50% in the next 10 games. His post-up efficiency also improved dramatically, with his points per chance increasing from 0.75 to 1.22, placing him among the top post-up players in the league.
Keyonte George has also shown promise, improving his shooting from 32% to 43% from the field and from 29% to 38% from three-point range. This development is crucial for his role as an NBA player. Meanwhile, Brice Sensabaugh has increased his playing time and shooting efficiency, though both he and George need to enhance their defensive skills.
Walker Kessler stands out as a shining star among our young talents, solidifying his place as an NBA rotation player. His development is a significant step forward for the Jazz, as we continue to evaluate the potential of our seven young players.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Utah Jazz’s season, tune into the Locked On Jazz podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Jazz Podcast:
- Lauri Markkanen’s isolation and post-up improvements
- Keyonte George’s shooting progress
- Brice Sensabaugh’s increased playing time and efficiency
- Walker Kessler’s emergence as an NBA rotation player
- The impact of Will Hardy’s coaching adjustments
