Category: Jazz

Jazz season preview: Can they finally get over their playoff slump?

The Utah Jazz enter next season as a team with something to prove. They were stellar in the regular season but fell short in the playoffs.

The Utah Jazz enter the season as a team with something to prove after falling short in the last playoffs.

There is nothing easy about what Utah accomplished last year. They finished with the best record (52-20) in the league and outscored opponents by 9.0 points per 100 possessions, nearly three points better than what any other team achieved. How were they able to do that? Why didn’t it work in the postseason?

Below, check out our preview for the 2021-22 Jazz campaign.

NBA media poll: Nikola Jokic is the near-consensus MVP

HoopsHype conducted an anonymous poll of NBA MVP media voters for their current picks to win the award.

Nikola Jokic has taken a commanding lead in the MVP race, according to our HoopsHype media MVP poll for April.

As for the best of the rest, Stephen Curry has made the biggest jump while LeBron James has seen his MVP chances take the biggest hit compared to our March MVP media poll.

To determine the top contenders for the MVP award, HoopsHype anonymously polled 17 media members who voted on last year’s awards for their current top five MVP rankings.

As with the official vote, the top player received 10 points, the second received seven points, the third received five points, the fourth received three points, and the fifth player received one point for each ballot. Below are the results of the poll.

Jordan Clarkson is overwhelming favorite to win Sixth Man of the Year

The Utah Jazz currently have the best record in the NBA. They also have the Sixth Man of the Year favorite in 28-year-old Jordan Clarkson.

The Utah Jazz currently have the best record in the NBA. They also have the Sixth Man of the Year favorite in 28-year-old Jordan Clarkson.

Clarkson dominated against the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 15, tallying 40 points off the bench. This was yet another performance that solidified his candidacy to win the NBA’s 6MOY. The latest odds at VegasInsiders.com moved to -305 in favor of the 6-foot-5 guard, which gives him an implied probability of 75.3 percent.

It was just over a year ago when the Jazz acquired Clarkson for merely two second-round draft picks and Dante Exum but the move has already paid overwhelming dividends for the organization.

His teammates, including Joe Ingles, have been incredibly impressed with what Clarkson has been able to accomplish (via Salt Lake Tribune):

“I’ve never played with anyone like J.C. in my lifetime – on the court or off the court. It’s pretty cool to play with someone that’s so locked in, I guess, to what his role is, and so comfortable in the role that he has.”

This is well-earned praise for Clarkson, who is averaging a career-best 18.2 points per game. He is shooting 95.8 percent from the free-throw line and 46.2 percent from the field, both the highest in his career as well.

That is especially impressive considering, much like his entire team, he has been shooting a ton of shots from beyond the arc. Clarkson, who had never reached six three-pointers per game before this year, is currently attempting 8.4 three-pointers per game.

Specifically, he has been able to create these opportunities for himself more often. For someone playing in the second unit, this is an incredibly important trait.

Before this season, 77.4 percent of his three-pointers came from an assist, averaging 1.85 points per 100 possession on unassisted three-pointers. This season, those marks have changed dramatically, now falling at 64.4 percent and 6.3 points per 100.

His shot selection has improved dramatically over the years, choosing shots that make more sense in a modern offense.

As a rookie back in 2014-15, according to Cleaning the Glass, a whopping 27 percent of his attempts were from long midrange. This zone, measured from the free-throw line extended to the three-point line, is widely considered the least efficient in basketball. This year, he has taken them on just 1 percent of his total attempts.

Meanwhile, another point of success is how well he has been able to execute as the ballhandler in pick-and-roll sets.

Clarkson has developed good chemistry on screen and rolls with Derrick Favors, who was a key pickup for the Jazz this offseason, and Rudy Gobert.

He is averaging 1.12 points per possession on  PnR actions, per Synergy.

Among all players who have recorded 100 opportunities on this play type, only three have been more efficient: Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard and Damian Lillard.

But it’s not as just his ability as a scorer that has stood out so far this season, as Sarah Todd argues (via Deseret News):

“Jordan Clarkson can do everything. Period. I don’t ever want to hear him described purely as a guy who can get a bucket. He’s completely changed and evolved and improved his game and is a lot more committed on the defensive end than he gets credit for. Whether it’s spin moves, getting low against crafty guards, hitting contested shots, knocking down open 3-pointers or blocking shots, Clarkson is nearly always making good plays.”

His primary skill will still be his sparkplug scoring and ability to heat up in a pinch. But thus far, his defensive rebound percentage (12.6 percent) and steal percentage (1.6 percent) are both the best marks of his career.

Utah has outscored opponents by 9.7 points per 100 possessions when he has been on the floor. Clarkson is making a huge impact for the Jazz and has been crucial in helping them dominate this season.

If the season progresses in a similar fashion for Clarkson, there is little doubt he will win the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year.

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The Utah Jazz are having arguably the top three-point shooting season ever

After roughly one-third of the season, the Utah Jazz currently have the best record in the NBA.

By now, you’re probably aware of the hot outside shooting of the league-leading Utah Jazz so far this season. But how hot it’s been exactly? Well, take this: Utah is the first team ever to shoot 40-plus threes a game with 40-plus percent accuracy and is currently the top-scoring squad from beyond the arc in NBA history.

Before this season, there were only five instances in which an NBA offense has averaged at least 40 attempts per game from beyond the arc. Four of the five were each of the most recent seasons from the Rockets, dating back to 2016-17.

This year, there are actually four teams averaging 40 or more attempts from long distance. But none, including any from this season, have ever been more accurate than the Jazz.

Utah recently broke the record for most three-pointers made in a month (285). They are currently on pace to break the team record for most three-pointers per game, previously set by Houston in 2018-19.

It is hard to process the fact that Utah is actually averaging more three-pointers than the Golden State Warriors did when they had historically impressive sharpshooters Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant on their roster.

Jazz head coach Quin Snyder recently spoke about the primary philosophies of his offense (via NBA.com):

“That’s the strength of our team. We’ve got a lot of guys that can make those shots. It’s something we’ve been banging that drum from the first day. We want guys to take threes.”

Many might think of Joe Ingles, who recently set the record for the most career three-pointers recorded in franchise history, but the organization has much more depth and strategy for their shooting.

One of the guiding concepts for Utah is the type of looks that the team has been able to get when shooting from long distance. For obvious reasons, they try to get as many uncontested looks as possible.

More than 25 percent of their three-pointers have been taken with the nearest defender at least six feet away, which are classified as wide-open looks.

Among the six players in Western Conference who have recorded the most wide-open attempts so far this season, per NBA.com, four (Royce O’Neale, Donovan Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic, Mike Conley) are on the Jazz.

Utah leads the league in corner three-pointer frequency (13.0 percent) this season as well. Bogdanovic is the league’s leader in three-pointers made (29) and attempted (73) from the corner, according to PBP Stats.

This has been a team effort, though, as every single connection from the corner has come from an assist with Conley as the primary orchestrator on these opportunities.

But even when they’re not shooting from the corner, Utah actually has the highest field goal percentage (40.5 percent) on non-corner three-pointers as well.

Put it all together and you get performances like when Bogdanovic made an absurd four three-pointers in just 90 seconds during the third quarter against the Charlotte Hornets on Feb. 5.

Utah is more known for their defense because of big man Rudy Gobert. But performances like that encapsulate this season for the Jazz, whose fondness for three-pointers have actually given them one of the most potent offenses in league history.

HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report

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Sources: Lakers, Clippers, others interested in Glenn Robinson III

Glenn Robinson III is drawing free agent interest from the Lakers, Clippers, Rockets, Nets, and Jazz, league sources told HoopsHype.

Glenn Robinson III, one of the top wings remaining on the market, has drawn interest from the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, and Utah Jazz, league sources told HoopsHype.

Robinson III, 26, is entering his prime and is considered a 3-and-D wing around the league. The 6-foot-6 forward averaged 11.7 points on 48.6 percent shooting from the field and 39.1 percent shooting from downtown in 62 games played last season. He started all 48 games played for the Golden State Warriors before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Our HoopsHype salary cap expert, Yossi Gozlan, has the latest available spending power for the teams interested. In Los Angeles, the Clippers can offer as much as the $3.6 million bi-annual exception while the Lakers can offer the veteran’s minimum. The Rockets have around $8 million remaining with their mid-level exception, while the Nets have the $5.7 million mid-level exception. The Jazz has the $3.6 million bi-annual exception remaining.

For teams looking for help on the wing, Robinson III and Nicolas Batum are considered the top options.

According to ESPN, the Charlotte Hornets are searching for a third team to take on Batum’s contract in a Gordon Hayward sign-and-trade deal with the Boston Celtics.

Batum, 31, is coming off a down season with the Hornets in which he averaged 3.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 23.0 minutes per game in 22 games played.

Some executives around the league believe Batum can be motivated by a change of scenery and the opportunity to contribute as a role player for a playoff team.

As colleague Frank Urbina noted, Batum has been linked to six teams if he enters the free-agent market.

Both Batum and Robinson III have been linked to the Nets, Clippers, and Jazz.

You can follow Michael Scotto on Twitter: @MikeAScotto

Jazz rookie Juwan Morgan on coronavirus scare: ‘It felt like a movie’

Utah Jazz rookie Juwan Morgan was in the building when the league effectively went on indefinite hiatus due to a threat of the coronavirus.

Utah Jazz rookie Juwan Morgan was in the building when the league effectively went on indefinite hiatus due to a threat of the coronavirus.

The 6-foot-7 forward caught up with HoopsHype to discuss his impressions on the evening when the Jazz game against the Oklahoma City Thunder was postponed on March 11.

You have had quite an unusual start to your rookie season. What was your perspective in the arena when the NBA the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder was canceled? 

Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

JM: That was really weird. You kind of had an idea that the NBA was going to take that step. But everyone on the team thought it was going to happen the next day or after the game against Oklahoma City. As soon as we got done warming up we had the national anthem, starters were announced. And everybody did their handshakes, we were ready to go. But when the refs brought it in, we kind of knew what was going to happen. We weren’t very surprised. It just came a little bit earlier than we expected.

Was your first time being tested for the coronavirus the night that your team was stuck inside the arena in Oklahoma City?

JM: It was that night. I wasn’t worried because they gave us a checklist of whether or not to be worried if you had it or not and I didn’t check any of the boxes. So I wasn’t too worried. But at the same time, some people can also be asymptomatic and have it. I was glad that I didn’t and it was better to be safe than sorry.

What was the arena like when everything was shutting down in front of you right before tipoff?

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JM: It was probably a little bit more hectic because we were back in the locker room. It did feel like a movie, just being back there, waiting to see, taking all the steps that the doctors were giving us and everything like that. It was definitely a long process but a necessary process, it’s how I explain it. We were there for a few hours, after everybody cleared out, we were probably two or three hours maybe. It was pretty surreal but I was looking at the positives at that point. Everybody came to the realization that it was here, it was real. We wanted to make sure everybody was safe and doing what the doctors were saying. But at the same time, we were enjoying each other’s camaraderie. You learn a lot about a person when a time of turmoil comes.

What are some of the things you think your teammates have learned about you during this?

JM: I’m the same person everywhere. I sit back and I don’t really say too much.

How have you been keeping busy since the NBA went on hiatus last week?

JM: I’m just relaxing. I really can’t do much more else right now. I’ve just been at home, doing the whole self-isolation thing and try to stay out of the way. I’ve been gaming, working out on my own at my house. I have to stay away from large crowds. If I need something, I’ve been waiting until 9 pm or 10 pm so I can get food. Otherwise, I’ve been watching old games and movies as well.

What have been some of the biggest differences in your daily life since you entered quarantine? 

JM: I would say the biggest one would just be how much time you really have. When you have games and practice, you usually have practice and then nap and then the game. But now with the rest of the time, you can be very productive in other stuff beyond basketball. Like for me when I first got called up and signed a contract with the Utah Jazz, I hadn’t really finished setting up my house or anything. I had a bunch of stuff still in their boxes. So I’ve been able to do that.

From a basketball perspective, is there anything you hope to improve on during the NBA hiatus? 

“No matter how great at defense or anything else you can do, if you can’t make an open shot, it is going to hurt your team in the end.” (Russell Isabella-USA TODAY Sports)

JM: Shooting is the main thing I’m always keying in on because you can never get too good at shooting. You can always get better. That will be the main thing that determines if I become a mainstay in this league or if I am put on the backburner. No matter how great at defense or anything else you can do, if you can’t make an open shot, it is going to hurt your team in the end.

What are some of the emotions surrounding the sudden stall of the year?

JM: It just feels weird. This is my first time not being able to go and work out on the court whenever I want, let alone not being able to go out and do whatever outside. I’ve dribbled a little bit in my house but my fourteen days aren’t up yet. It takes some getting used to. But I’m doing the best I can to stay busy and stay ready.

How long has it been since the last time you have gone this long without playing basketball? Are you feeling alright about that?

JM: I’ve probably never gone this long without playing basketball. Safety comes first, though. Basketball isn’t everything. It’s a big part but it opens up a lot of doors for you to see what your other interests are and then be able to explore those different hobbies. I’ve been that way my whole life, though. I have been playing games and I have so many of them where I’ll never get bored of them.

Interesting. What are some of those games that you have been playing?

JM: Call of Duty. All of the sports games. Any fighting game like boxing or Street Fighter or Tekken. Things like that. Any game you can think of besides racing games.

Are you playing as yourself now that you are in the new download of NBA 2K20? Does it feel pretty similar to your style of play?

JM: Mainly, yeah. Whenever I’m not online, I definitely do. But it doesn’t feel similar, not really. But that is what game sliders are for. I change those game sliders just to make sure. I make my post defense and my post offense better. I make my three-point shot better, too, just because who wouldn’t want that. Also, my beard is not there in the game but I have one in real life.

Last year, you were easily one of the top performers at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament for the top college basketball seniors. But the event was recently canceled this year due to the coronavirus. How much was PIT able to help you show your talents to NBA decision-makers?

JM: It helped me tremendously. It just gave me a better opportunity to be in front of those NBA guys and give them a chance to see what I could do in a team setting. I think losing Portsmouth will hurt a ton because guys can show what they can do in a team setting. That was the first time in like three years where I was able to play with a true center behind me so I could play on the perimeter for the first time in a long time. I was able to show that I was very comfortable on the perimeter and get a team into an offense and guard all over the floor while holding my own in the post. That really helped me. My agents Keith Kreiter and Sam Cipriano both did a good job of putting me in front of scouts out there so the teams could put a face to a name. So the interviews were the best part for me.

How important were individual team workouts in helping you find the right fit in the league?

JM: If they lose individual team workouts, it will hurt just as much because that is a chance for mid-major or for all of the guys that did not get the chance to show what they can do in one-on-one settings. I do think that NBA scouts do a good job of knowing who’s who and being able to see if there is a role potential in the league. I was just thinking about that the other day. The draft this year is going to be weird because there is no tournament and that is when mid-major guys or no-major guys takeoff and are able to really put on a show on that stage.

All things considered, how have you been reflecting on what you have accomplished thus far?

JM: I was just doing what I do every day, being consistent in all things. I want to make sure I’m ready to go whenever my name is called. I knew that whatever happened, I was always going to be in the best position to succeed not only off the work I had put in but also the teammates I had as well as the coaching staff.

Last time we spoke, you mentioned you had a similar game to PJ Tucker. Now that Tucker has been elevated to a full-time starting center, do you think you could eventually play a similar role for an NBA team?

JM: I think I would be able to do it because I am able to rebound out of my position, be able to guard on the perimeter and be able to work different offenses whether it is out of the post or out of the corner or wherever they have me. I think that is just the biggest part of what he is able to do. Because he knocks down shots, he guards and he rebounds. I think that is the biggest key.

What are some goals you have for yourself once the league gets back to action? 

JM: My goal is not to maintain but to get better each and every day and be able to give the coaches every reason to keep me. I won’t let them question anything I do – whether that be work ethic, is he getting better, is he taking it seriously?

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Analyzing fit of Jordan Clarkson on Jazz after trade from Cavaliers

The Utah Jazz acquired Jordan Clarkson via trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 23. He made his debut with them on Thursday night.

The Utah Jazz acquired Jordan Clarkson via trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 23. He made his debut with them on Thursday night.

The main reason for the move is that the Jazz have an anemic offense when Donovan Mitchell is not on the court. Their offensive rating in these minutes (100.4) has been far below the league average (109.1) so far this season. Cleveland, meanwhile, had scored well (110.5) with Clarkson in December. He has long shown he is capable of massive scoring eruptions any given night.

Dennis Lindsey, Utah’s executive vice president of basketball operations, spoke about Clarkson before his debut with the Jazz (via Deseret.com):

“There was a little bit of a duh-factor being 28th in bench scoring. We needed to add someone that could just go and get a shot … He was a player that Quin asked me about this summer so it’s not the first conversation we’ve had about him.”

During his first game for the franchise, he showcased his ability to get a quick bucket off the bench. He scored nine points in his first nine minutes with the new squad.

He was held scoreless for the remainder of the game as the Jazz, though. The beginning of the match showed why the team was willing to move on from a former lottery pick in Dante Exum. The latter half showed why both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers have been so willing to move on from him via trade as too often he can vanish.

While he has shown he can play one-through-three, the 27-yar-old has spent 86 percent of his minutes as the shooting guard this season. That will be his primary position, though his experience as a point guard and small forward will make him valuable as veteran Mike Conley recovers from a hamstring issue over the next few weeks.

He was able to slide into the three alongside Mitchell as well as Emmanuel Mudiay in the backcourt. However, he spent a few possessions as the point with Mitchell and Joe Ingles on the wing.

But more likely than not, his primary role (once Conley returns from his injury) will be as a scoring sparkplug during minutes without Mitchell. This is mostly because he’s a high-usage, ball-dominant player that requires the rock to make his biggest impact. The 6-foot-5 guard has averaged 59.7 touches per 36 minutes during his professional career, indicating it will be hard for him to do much while Mitchell is on the court.

Meanwhile, one of the other advantages of his addition is that it allows Royce O’Neale to play his natural position as their backup small forward. O’Neale has spent 57 percent of his minutes in 2019-20 at shooting guard out of necessity, though it has not been his best position.

According to Cleaning the Glass, for example, the Jazz have been outscored by 1.0 point per 100 possessions when O’Neale has played the two. But they have outscored their opponents by 14.4 points per 100 when he has played at the three.

During his debut, the guard was actually held scoreless on catch-and-shoot opportunities. This is another way he can surely make a difference for his new offense once he gets more in rhythm.

Only five teams have taken fewer catch-and-shoot three-pointers per game than Utah (20.8) so far this season. But the Jazz lead the NBA in three-point percentage (42.4 percent) on these attempts.

Clarkson is currently shooting 39-for-93 (41.9 percent) on three-pointers off the catch. Considering how well Utah has been on these attempts, they will have another weapon in the arsenal with Clarkson as a viable option on their team.

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