Why are the Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings struggling so hard to get that 8th seed?

[Fallen Angel]

Rockets are a mess, yet an established team in Utah and a more skilled team in Sacramento are barely making ground to overtake the Rockets with the 8th seed.

Is it Harden killing their chances with his great play?
Is it Boogie & Rondo just being low IQ team killers?
Is it Gordon being overrated?

Do the Rockets have to just start blatantly tanking games on purpose for us to get out the playoff race? I love The Beard, but he's playing too well for a team trying to tank and keep their pick.

[west_tip]

Is it Boogie & Rondo just being low IQ team killers

Yes. I was at the Spurs and OKC games these past two weeks. Their body language, attitude and general demeanor is just terrible. If they are your "leaders" then you are screwed.

[Pushxx]

Utah lacks shooting.

Kings are a terrible franchise.

Harden is a superstar.

[Legends66NBA7]

Utah has injuries at PG. They are starting Shelvin Mack, who is abysmal. Kings are a bigger mess (maybe the biggest mess in the league ?) than the Rockets and are allowing almost 110 ppg.


Harden is still the best player on either team. When Dwight plays well, they are hard to stop despite all their dysfunction.

[screeningnick]

Any Jazz fans want to chime in as to why Snyder has decided to immediately start Mack at the 1 after just acquiring him? I really thought Neto was doing a great job running the team, plus he's really improved his shot as the seasons progressed and plays with great effort on D

[WayOfWade]

Any Jazz fans want to chime in as to why Snyder has decided to immediately start Mack at the 1 after just acquiring him? I really thought Neto was doing a great job running the team, plus he's really improved his shot as the seasons progressed and plays with great effort on D
That is a little hair raising, but he's a more aggressive scorer than Neto and is a better defensive option than Burke. If rather roll with Neto personally, but I'm not the coach. Alec Burks being out certainly hurts because Snyder would roll out a lineup of Burks/Hood/Hayward/Favors/Gobert which is a much better lineup than what they can put out currently

[Xiao Yao You]

I think he likes Mack's toughness and that he's a vet that he's familiar with. He's had good games in the playoffs too so he's been here before and most of the team hasn't.

I think he should have stuck with Neto but I think they see Neto coming off the bench when Exum is back so that might be part of it too.

[90sgoat]

Utah possibly has the worst starting backcurt in the league and Hayward for some reason isn't the clear cut first option of that team.

I've seen time and time again with Utah in close games, they continue to play their system ball and one of their guards chuck it up and lose. Last 5 minutes should be plays run for Hayward every play.

[wally_world]

Utah is in an incredible position considering what they've been through

No half-decent PG for the entire season
Gobert out half the season
Burks recovering and in-and-out of the lineup
Miserable bench
Underperforming lottery pick

[bdreason]

I thought the Jazz would be in the playoffs for sure. Their recent struggles have definitely been surprising.

[SwishSquared]

Rockets are a mess, yet an established team in Utah and a more skilled team in Sacramento are barely making ground to overtake the Rockets with the 8th seed.

Is it Harden killing their chances with his great play?
Is it Boogie & Rondo just being low IQ team killers?
Is it Gordon being overrated?

Do the Rockets have to just start blatantly tanking games on purpose for us to get out the playoff race? I love The Beard, but he's playing too well for a team trying to tank and keep their pick.At the deadline you said it was pointless to tank in this draft. You change your mind recently? I'd recommend tanking games though, but that's just me...

Utah's had a ton of injuries and has a lolzy PG situation. Sacramento is closer to imploding than vaulting into securing a playoff spot.

[Xiao Yao You]

Utah possibly has the worst starting backcurt in the league and Hayward for some reason isn't the clear cut first option of that team.

I've seen time and time again with Utah in close games, they continue to play their system ball and one of their guards chuck it up and lose. Last 5 minutes should be plays run for Hayward every play.

Any back court with Hood can't be the worst. Hayward hasn't shown he's a clear cut first option. Hood has looked more like one when he is going good but like Hayward he is inconsistent. With Favors, Hood and soon Burks they do have other viable options.


No half-decent PG for the entire season

I think all the guys they've played are half decent. Neto is a player. Burke has been a double figure scorer off the bench(he was leading the league from mid range % not long ago. might still?) and Mack has played well not to mention their non pg wing line-ups. Teams do need role players too. With Hayward, Favors, Gobert, Hood, and Burks you need other guys to fill roles be it pg's are whatever.


Miserable bench

They've missed Alec. Were alright before that.


Underperforming lottery pick

Who the 19 year old Lyles that should be in the D-league? He's done fine. They have better options than him right now. He'll be a big part of the team.

[Riks]

I thought the Jazz would be in the playoffs for sure. Their recent struggles have definitely been surprising.
Especially considering how strong they finished last season.

[kav23]

OK Sacramaneto and Utah fans, what would you rather have, 8th seed and eventual floor wiping by the Warriors or lottery pick?

[Fallen Angel]

At the deadline you said it was pointless to tank in this draft. You change your mind recently?
Mind finding that post for me, kiddo?

I, on the other hand, have no problem finding my old posts dating back to early January about how the Rockets should to tank the season.

[brownboyfly]

Boogie is so over-rated. Anybody who watches basketball knows his style of play is not in the least bit conducive to winning basketball. He's a manufactured superstar, just like Harden, and to a much lesser extent, Love. The NBA would be a better league without all 3 of those players.

[bobopenguin]

Rockets are a mess, yet an established team in Utah and a more skilled team in Sacramento are barely making ground to overtake the Rockets with the 8th seed.

Is it Harden killing their chances with his great play?
Is it Boogie & Rondo just being low IQ team killers?
Is it Gordon being overrated?

Do the Rockets have to just start blatantly tanking games on purpose for us to get out the playoff race? I love The Beard, but he's playing too well for a team trying to tank and keep their pick.

what made u think ur team is tanking? :lol :lol :lol i think they are actually trying to win.