Will this Utah era end with a championship?

[Im Still Ballin]

This era began when Millsap and Al Jefferson left in 2013. The rebuild started with Hayward, Favors, and Gobert, as well as coach Snyder, who came in 2014-2015.

In 2015 and 2016 they finished just below .500; they were building something.

In 2017 they finally arrived, thanks to a career year from Gordon Hayward, as well as free agent signing George Hill. Joe Ingles also became an extremely valuable roleplayer. They won a tough 7-game series over a weakened Lob City Clippers in the 1st round. Got swept by GSW in the 2nd round.

In 2018 they lost George Hill and Gordon Hayward, gained Rubio, and drafted Donovan Mitchell. Started the season 19-28, but finished 29-6; good for a 48-34 record -- only 3 less than the year before. Their SRS and net rating was actually higher in 2018 than 2017. They beat OKC in 6 games in round 1, but lost in 5 to Houston in round 2.

In 2019 started slow again, but finished strong for a record of 50-32. Their SRS and net rating improved once more. They lost in round 1 to Houston, again in 5 games.

At this point, the team clearly wanted to move on from Ricky Rubio and Derrick Favors. Up until this point they had run an old-school style starting lineup with two non-shooting bigs.

In 2020 they lost Rubio and Favors, while gaining Conley and Bogdanovic. Also acquired bench scorer Jordan Clarkson. They became a more modern team; the offense improved, but the defense suffered. Overall they were a worse team per their SRS and net rating. Another 1st round exit: a 3-1 collapse in the bubble.

In 2021 they reacquired Derrick Favors, who gave them some of what they lost. The defense improved, but the offense drastically improved. #1 record in the league; #1 SRS and #1 net rating; 3rd best offense, 4th best defense. They finally had all the pieces:

- A superstar perimeter scorer
- An elite defensive anchor
- An all-star point guard
- A scoring stretch PF
- An explosive scorer off the bench
- A solid backup defensive big

Somehow they choked in the 2nd round. Still extremely disappointed with that result. No Conley, but no Kawhi for the last 2 games I believe.

Is 2022 finally the year they go all the way? Hassan Whiteside has been an upgrade over Favors so far.

[GrayGoat]

They have no excuses at this point. They are the best team on paper. But paper is flawed. Donovan Mitchell is the only dog in their lineup. But he can’t carry. Weaker teams seem to expose their flaws easily (last years Clippers) true stars feast on them

[RRR3]

You can’t win with Toody in the playoffs. He just can’t stop choking.

[Xiao Yao You]

This era began when Millsap and Al Jefferson left in 2013. The rebuild started with Hayward, Favors, and Gobert, as well as coach Snyder, who came in 2014-2015.

In 2015 and 2016 they finished just below .500; they were building something.

In 2017 they finally arrived, thanks to a career year from Gordon Hayward, as well as free agent signing George Hill. Joe Ingles also became an extremely valuable roleplayer. They won a tough 7-game series over a weakened Lob City Clippers in the 1st round. Got swept by GSW in the 2nd round.

In 2018 they lost George Hill and Gordon Hayward, gained Rubio, and drafted Donovan Mitchell. Started the season 19-28, but finished 29-6; good for a 48-34 record -- only 3 less than the year before. Their SRS and net rating was actually higher in 2018 than 2017. They beat OKC in 6 games in round 1, but lost in 5 to Houston in round 2.

In 2019 started slow again, but finished strong for a record of 50-32. Their SRS and net rating improved once more. They lost in round 1 to Houston, again in 5 games.

At this point, the team clearly wanted to move on from Ricky Rubio and Derrick Favors. Up until this point they had run an old-school style starting lineup with two non-shooting bigs.

In 2020 they lost Rubio and Favors, while gaining Conley and Bogdanovic. Also acquired bench scorer Jordan Clarkson. They became a more modern team; the offense improved, but the defense suffered. Overall they were a worse team per their SRS and net rating. Another 1st round exit: a 3-1 collapse in the bubble.

In 2021 they reacquired Derrick Favors, who gave them some of what they lost. The defense improved, but the offense drastically improved. #1 record in the league; #1 SRS and #1 net rating; 3rd best offense, 4th best defense. They finally had all the pieces:

- A superstar perimeter scorer
- An elite defensive anchor
- An all-star point guard
- A scoring stretch PF
- An explosive scorer off the bench
- A solid backup defensive big

Somehow they choked in the 2nd round. Still extremely disappointed with that result. No Conley, but no Kawhi for the last 2 games I believe.

Is 2022 finally the year they go all the way? Hassan Whiteside has been an upgrade over Favors so far.


The tanking was originally around Favors, Hayward, Kanter and Burks before Gobert spoiled their tanking plans.

2017 finally happened because it was the last year of Hayward's contract and they finally tried to win some games to keep him and added Hill, Johnson and the corpse of Diaw after trying to tank despite the great finish in 2015 thanks to the emergence of Gobert.

They didn't lose Hill. They chose to go a cheaper route with Rubio even after Gobert put up over 17 a game once Favors was benched and they put 4 shooters around him. Wasted two more years before they finally put shooters around their best player again. The slow start the first year coincided with Gobert missing a month. They were closer to the worst record in basketball than to the playoffs before he came back to carry them once again

Could have gotten Conley at the end of the Rubio shit show but they didn't want to give up the Golden Child Dante Exum! :roll:

Favors didn't give them anything but a tax bill. The offense was already good. They improved defensively last year. That was the big difference. Gobert having one of the best defensive years on record

If only he was a true superstar. Who is this PF you speak of? They haven't had one since they first got rid of Favors. O'Neale is doing his best to fill the role but he belongs on the wing. An explosive inefficient gunner off the bench to go with the inefficient gunner starting for them. Whiteside is so solid no one else wants him!

And no mention of COTY who refused to make any changes the past two seasons and cost them against Denver and LAC

[Im Still Ballin]

The tanking was originally around Favors, Hayward, Kanter and Burks before Gobert spoiled their tanking plans.

2017 finally happened because it was the last year of Hayward's contract and they finally tried to win some games to keep him and added Hill, Johnson and the corpse of Diaw after trying to tank despite the great finish in 2015 thanks to the emergence of Gobert.

They didn't lose Hill. They chose to go a cheaper route with Rubio even after Gobert put up over 17 a game once Favors was benched and they put 4 shooters around him. Wasted two more years before they finally put shooters around their best player again. The slow start the first year coincided with Gobert missing a month. They were closer to the worst record in basketball than to the playoffs before he came back to carry them once again

Could have gotten Conley at the end of the Rubio shit show but they didn't want to give up the Golden Child Dante Exum! :roll:

Favors didn't give them anything but a tax bill. The offense was already good. They improved defensively last year. That was the big difference. Gobert having one of the best defensive years on record

If only he was a true superstar. Who is this PF you speak of? They haven't had one since they first got rid of Favors. O'Neale is doing his best to fill the role but he belongs on the wing. An explosive inefficient gunner off the bench to go with the inefficient gunner starting for them. Whiteside is so solid no one else wants him!

And no mention of COTY who refused to make any changes the past two seasons and cost them against Denver and LAC

I was talking about Bojan, but I guess technically he's a SF who can play the PF.

[Mask the Embiid]

sadly no. One you cant win a championship with 3 players under 6'5 no matter how good toody is defensively. The other reason is his teammates do not respect him offensively...i ll just leave it at that

[RRR3]

sadly no. One you cant win a championship with 3 players under 6'5 no matter how good toody is defensively. The other reason is his teammates do not respect him offensively...i ll just leave it at that
No one respects Parfait Perkins offensively, dude can’t even score on guards unless he’s bird fed.

[L.Kizzle]

Can this team beat Deron Williams, AK47 and Boozer era Jazz?

[Xiao Yao You]

I was talking about Bojan, but I guess technically he's a SF who can play the PF.

He can't play PF. He doesn't rebound. O'Neale is the PF at 6'4

[Xiao Yao You]

Can this team beat Deron Williams, AK47 and Boozer era Jazz?

yes. Better at both ends. That team wasn't good defensively

[Proctor]

No. Something always gets in the way.

They're mentally fragile and find new ways to blow series leads when they do come their way.

They more than most teams need every single player to be healthy, leaving no margin for error. They can't win without Conley for whatever reason. Can't win without Bojan. If that's the case, they need more depth. You don't know what Gobert you're going to get. There's the 17/17 avg Gobert and then there's the Gobert that gets outworked and outplayed by guys like Capela. His defense gets more or less exposed. Mitchell has some bad chucking flashes occasionally but in the playoffs goes beast mode. When he's that great, his occasional bursts of chucking can be forgiven. Clarkson is a paid chucker and certainly does a good job, but you can't afford to give him that offensive free reign when Mitchell has his.

The acquisition of Gay was great. Should have found a way to nab an Aldridge type. They need hungry vets with some left in the tank. Otherwise they're doomed to be a treadmill team at the top of the standings. First or second seed that does absolutely nothing.

[Xiao Yao You]

No. Something always gets in the way.

They're mentally fragile and find new ways to blow series leads when they do come their way.

They more than most teams need every single player to be healthy, leaving no margin for error. They can't win without Conley for whatever reason. Can't win without Bojan. If that's the case, they need more depth. You don't know what Gobert you're going to get. There's the 17/17 avg Gobert and then there's the Gobert that gets outworked and outplayed by guys like Capela. His defense gets more or less exposed. Mitchell has some bad chucking flashes occasionally but in the playoffs goes beast mode. When he's that great, his occasional bursts of chucking can be forgiven. Clarkson is a paid chucker and certainly does a good job, but you can't afford to give him that offensive free reign when Mitchell has his.

The acquisition of Gay was great. Should have found a way to nab an Aldridge type. They need hungry vets with some left in the tank. Otherwise they're doomed to be a treadmill team at the top of the standings. First or second seed that does absolutely nothing.

They can't win without Conley because he's their 2nd best player :facepalm

They can certainly win without Bojan.

When did Gobert get outworked by anyone let alone outplayed? As we saw in the olympics he just needs help from his teammates. He can't do it all by himself

Mitchell not playing D or passing the ball can't be forgiven

Clarkson sucks

[RRR3]

Xiao desperately making excuses for Toody’s shameful choking again :facepalm

[Axe]

Can this team beat Deron Williams, AK47 and Boozer era Jazz?
Most likely. The jazz haven't made the wcf since those years.

[HylianNightmare]

0%

[Xiao Yao You]

Most likely. The jazz haven't made the wcf since those years.

Only made it that year because Dallas got upset by GS in the first round

[Xiao Yao You]

RR3 desperately trolling me again. I said he wouldn't be able to quit me. Give him credit for going a whole off-season! :applause:

[fsvr54]

I don't think so, ceiling is WCF. Mitchell is just a chucker at the end of the day.

[Axe]

Only made it that year because Dallas got upset by GS in the first round
But today's lineup with toody when though? :ohwell:

[k0kakw0rld]

https://zupimages.net/up/21/44/lnqs.gif (https://zupimages.net/viewer.php?id=21/44/lnqs.gif)

Not good enough when it matters.

[Xiao Yao You]

But today's lineup with toody when though? :ohwell:

New coach, new 6th man, Mitchell playing D and passing the ball for starters

[Axe]

New coach, new 6th man, Mitchell playing D and passing the ball for starters
Bound for what? A first-round exit?

[dankok8]

I don't think Utah can win a title as presently constructed. They need to add a superstar or maybe Mitchell to improve more.

[ArbitraryWater]

if your "best player" is a defensive and offensive liability in the playoffs, you wont win, no.

[RRR3]

if your "best player" is a defensive and offensive liability in the playoffs, you wont win, no.
But it’s Mitchell’s fault Poutine Plumlee keeps choking :(

[000]

no

[chefcurry]

unfortunately, no. they are a great regular season team but they don't have that extra flair to go all the way.

[AlternativeAcc.]

They're paying a 8-12ppg role player like 50 mil a year, so **** to no :oldlol:

They'll never even make a conference final.

[SoyTits]

my day consists of refreshing ish for hours upon hours to make cringe outdated gobert jokes hurr durr

:lol

new communist heroes of the past coming soon guys

https://i.ibb.co/52Y1LN1/77-B16-AB3-50-E6-4634-9430-4-D9561808-C0-A.jpg

[RRR3]

Poooooor Shew.

[Axe]

:lol

new communist heroes of the past coming soon guys

https://i.ibb.co/52Y1LN1/77-B16-AB3-50-E6-4634-9430-4-D9561808-C0-A.jpg
:milton