2014 pre-season!

[QUOTE]This much does seem apparent as the Jazz prepare to begin the 2014-15 regular season next week: They're definitely a better ballclub than they were last season, when they trudged through a forgettable 25-win campaign, and they're gradually but steadily going to get better.[/QUOTE]

I'd say it's very arguable. Their bench is going to have a tough time of it and they are way too young..

[QUOTE]Why? Because for the first time in a long time, or maybe ever in franchise history, their roster is filled with players whose best days in the NBA are still ahead of them. And that goes for Snyder, their first-year head coach, too.[/QUOTE]

Might bode well for the future but not necessarily this year.

[QUOTE]After all, they've only got one guy, forward Steve Novak, who's been in the league more than four years.

"Preseason can sometimes weigh on guys," fifth-year Jazzman Gordon Hayward said, "but I've been really proud of our focus and energy. We've worked a lot on transition defense, which Coach has stressed for us to work on as a team. There's a lot we need to work on as the season begins."

Hayward had a game-high 24 points for Utah and Alec Burks added 20, while Trey Burke was also in double digits with a dozen and Enes Kanter finished with 10

[QUOTE] Snyder opted to go with guard Ian Clark over Exum in the second unit.

Why?

One big reason, Snyder said: "I think Dante was struggling a little bit against what were very strong, physical guards. He

[QUOTE]The play off the bench has been up and down, and that

[QUOTE]a hierarchy that includes Hayward, Burke and Derrick Favors as the three cornerstones.[/QUOTE]

Alec and Kanter get no respect still!

[QUOTE]But Friday night offered the chance to play a close game that Utah largely hadn

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has waived forward Brock Motum. Following the move, Utah

[QUOTE]Eric Pincus: Utah Jazz waive Theron Bussey III and Brock Motum @BBallInsiders Twitter @EricPincus

Three Eye Sports: Tre Bussey @TreBussey11 has signed with the @utahjazz - plan is to spend the year with @IdahoStampede - congrats Tre! Twitter[/QUOTE]

Why didn't they have him in camp?

[QUOTE]The defeat against a team that thrives off of a similar pace as the Jazz also showed Utah where it needs to improve. Once again, the young squad struggled with turnovers (21, leading to 22 Phoenix points). Things bogged down in an 18-point second quarter. Players simply weren

It

[QUOTE]The Jazz will be better than they were last season, by a decent margin. [/QUOTE]

I'm not convinced of that. the 1,2 and 3 look like they could be real thin behind the starters.

[QUOTE]To quote Lennon and McCartney, they "couldn't get no worse." Surpassing 25 wins, the Jazz will accomplish. The Vegas over/under on Jazz victories, set at 24 or 25, is a good bet for the over. The guess here is by at least five wins, maybe five more beyond that.

I'm putting the total at 32.

The tough Western Conference is a wall to climb, a wall still leaning toward the Jazz. But unlike a year ago, the losses won't completely drown out the wins. Instead, heart will be taken in the modest differential from 57 defeats last season to 50 now. The Jazz will better learn to win games at home.

The coach has the advantage of a yet-advancing team with yet-advancing players, such as Trey Burke, Derrick Favors, Alec Burks, Enes Kanter, Rudy Gobert, Dante Exum, Rodney Hood, and to a lesser extent Gordon Hayward. On account of the Jazz

[QUOTE]Jody Genessy: For the record, Tre' Bussey was indeed signed by the Utah Jazz this week and then waived. Jazz gave the D-League prospect a workout in SLC. Twitter @DJJazzyJody [/QUOTE]

seems to be conflicting reports of him being in the league draft. I assume Jody would know though.

It was never formally announced

[QUOTE]Not only do the Jazz have starters who are all 24 or younger, but they also have two rookies, 19-year-old Dante Exum and 22-year-old Rodney Hood, who are likely to be regular rotation players.[/QUOTE]

and 2 2nd year players who hardly played last year. Of the 4 Gobert appears ready for the rotation.

[QUOTE]That's not exactly a recipe for success in the NBA.

Oh sweet, grabbed Joe Ingles off waivers. He's from Happy Valley originally, about 30 minutes away from where I live.

Also got Jordan Hamilton as well. Seem to be shoring up the 3 spot a bit.

Says he was Exum's favorite player growing up and his first autograph.

They needed help on the wing. Hamilton was a rotation player last year on a good team so he should play eventually. Toronto looks to have a pretty good roster that he was cut from. Clips certainly do. Hit the 3, rebound and defend a bit it looks like. 24 so he fits right in age wise.

Ingles didn't play when they played the Clipps. He's their 2nd oldest player now as a rookie! You think he's an NBA talent? I've seen him with the national team for quite a few years. Might have Motum in Idaho ready too.

We call the valley south of Salt Lake Valley Happy Valley too because of the mormons btw.

Aaron Falk: Derrick Favors (left knee) didn't practice today, but he's listed as probable for Wednesday's opener. Twitter @tribjazz