Originally Posted by
Li_Duke
While I agree they don't have a superstar, they have a roster full of young intriguing talent. I think their 4 best players: Gobert (aka The Stifle Tower) (age 23), Favors (age 24), Gordon Hayward (age 26), and Rodney Hood (age 23) are all young and on the cusp of developing into all-stars.
Gobert has all defense potential - averaging over 2 blocks and 10 rebounds per game over 2 seasons, which are amazing averages when you consider that he was a reserve for most of last season and was injured for much of this season.
Favors has been a solid presence inside - averaging 16 ppg, 8 rpg, and 1.5 bpg the past 2 season on over 50% shooting. Many thinks he has hit his ceiling as an above average starter, but he's only 24.
Hayward, of Butler fame, is their best player - averaging 20 ppg on efficient shooting and showing his versatility by dishing 4 apg and hitting the boards with 5rpg. He's been good enough to make the World Championship team a couple years ago.
Hood, former Duke player, has shown much of the same skills as Hayward and could eventually be just as good.
They also have other intriguing young players in PG Dante Exum (age 20), SG Alec Burks (age 24), and PF Trey Lyles (age 20), who could all be at a similar level as their top 4 as early as next season.
What they have lacked is a good point guard. Trey Burke, Shelvin Mack (another member of the Butler team we beat in 2010), and Neto are all back-up PGs. Exum may develop into a good PG, but he is still so young, and lost all of this past season to injury. What they need is a PG who can defend and consistently make 3s, as Hayward and Hood are good enough to run the offense out of.
They were just 1 game from making the playoffs from the Western Conference this year. With the age of their players and another lottery pick this year, I think we are seeing the beginning of a perennial playoff team, with upside for more if they all stay together and continue to improve.
This team is right there with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks in regards to young potential.
The difference is that Minny has a potential superstar in KAT and Milwaukee's core (Parker, Greek Freak, Middleton) is, on average, two years younger.
I like the Jazz. I think they will be a playoff team for the next 5-6 years. But I don't think they will be a top 3 team in the league unless they get a potential superstar.
Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things. - Winston Churchill
President of the "Nolan Smith Should Have His Jersey in The Rafters" Club