The 75th regular season of the National Basketball Association (NBA) will open on October 19th. Several teams have great ambitions, but only a select few will apply for the title. Which clubs have the greatest chance to dream and own the Larry O’Brien trophy?
Feelings “Jazz” ended last season as the strongest team in the Western Conference (balance 52-20). In the first round of the play-off, the Grizzlies of Memphis were beaten in five matches. Meanwhile, in the second in a 2-0 lead, four games in a row were lost to the Los Angeles Clippers.
In the inter-season, when players migrate like birds in the fall, the Jazz managed to keep almost all of last season’s line-up, which is a good sign. The most significant change was the replacement of Hassan Whiteside for the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Eric Pascal. The team’s core was joined by 35-year-old striker Rudy Gay, who will definitely be a good addition to the attack coming from the bench. The North American media emphasizes that it is possible that the team’s head coach Queens Snaiders could occasionally use Gay as a center player if there is a need for a more mobile team on the field.
It was also important to keep the team match manager Mike Conley, who signed a three-year contract for 68 million US dollars. When this deal is over, the American will be 36 years old, so there is not much time left to fight for the most valuable basketball trophy. The defender was very effective last season, averaging 16.2 points and six assists per game. Because there is still gas in the tank. Just a question – for how long?
For Utah to be able to take the next step, the health of the players will be important. The unit has not been seriously injured yet, but some basketball players have not been 100% ready for the elimination tournament. Last season, Donovan Mitchell missed 19 games, while Conley did not play 21 games. Clearly, the schedule for last NBA season was very tight and tight, so it is likely that this season’s schedule will be more lenient.
Another important issue is the protection of Jazz. In the regular season, this aspect was not a problem, as the player of the French national team Rudy Gober alone can make the team one of the best defensive units in the league, but in the playoffs, Gober’s efficiency decreases. It is in “play-off” basketball that Gober has to cover more players on the perimeter, which significantly reduces his efficiency on his side of the field. Perhaps during the season, the club could intensify with a player who bears well on the perimeter, as it has been one of the main stumbling blocks in the playoffs.
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