Just hours before the Utah Jazz took on the Dallas Mavericks, the Jazz announced that Donovan Mitchell would be out for the game. As the match progressed, the starters and the bench were removed to allow young developing players to develop and showcase their talent against top-tier competition. It ended up being a setback for Jazz on the box score, but Jazz are probably happy with the result for multiple reasons.
With today’s loss the Jazz are one step further from facing the Rockets. If the Jazz can find a way to get stuck in seed 6, they will likely face the Denver Nuggets. And even if something crazy happens like the Clippers falling to seed 3 and taking on the Jazz, I’m sure many Jazz fans would prefer that pairing for something different. It also seems that Jazz would prefer it too.
For Utah, going through so many changes last season and ending up playing Houston again would be the worst of the results. This is also likely a sign that Utah learned from last year when they didn’t attempt to find a better seed and ended up with Houston. Utah is taking its fate into its own hands and it’s refreshing.
It is not excluded, but it does not seem likely that the Jazz will win the finals this year without Bojan Bogdanovic. This means that Jazz have to do the best they can this year and that means they need to know what they have in some of their young musicians.
The Jazz came out front by around 20 before deciding to go to the youngsters to see what they could do against the Mavericks who went on to play their best available players outside of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. The advantage eventually wore off, but the Jazz gained more insight into their young musicians.
Jarrell Brantley and Miye Oni both had a great time tonight for Utah showing off their different skills.
Brantley is sporting a nice skill set of defensive versatility combined with an ability to manage and pass on offense.
Miye Oni showed her athleticism in transition and the potential to be a nice 3 and D option in the future.
Rayjon Tucker showed some skill in making threes and also a nice midrange pullup from a pick and roll. He also took 8 free throws and hit 7. He’s a raw player but his athleticism is perhaps the best of the team. Developing it could provide a serious benefit.
The problem for top-tier teams like Utah is that it’s hard to find minutes for young players when competing for the playoffs. Tonight the Jazz took advantage of an opportunity to raise their young boys and are now closer to not having to face the Rockets. It is a win for everyone.
