Despite opening the season with a red-hot start, the first-place Jazz aren’t satisfied with their situation and remain fully focused on winning the championship, Mark Medina of USA TODAY writes.
Utah owns the best record in the league at 21-5, having won six straight contests entering Saturday’s game against Miami. Prior to this, the team enjoyed an 11-game win streak and now has just one loss in its last 18 games. Outside of a tough road loss in Denver on January 31, the team hasn’t lost in over a month.
“We’re not going to put too much emphasis on it,” guard Donovan Mitchell said, as relayed by Medina. “It’s not like we’re saying this is a make-or-break stretch for us. We’re not playing to be ready by February. We’re playing to be ready in April, May, June, July, whatever. That’s when we want to have our best product.”
There’s more from the Western Conference today:
- Christian Clark of NOLA.com examines how Pelicans rookie Kira Lewis Jr. is hurting opposing teams with his unique speed. Lewis, whose mother was also a college sprinter, is recognized as one of the quickest guards in the league. He was the No. 13 overall pick in the draft last year. “When I come in, I’m looking to push the pace, get into the paint, make the defense collapse and just make the right read,” Lewis said.
- Rockets guard Victor Oladipo has been ruled out of the team’s game against New York on Saturday, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle writes. The team is listing him as out with a right foot strain, though the exact severity remains unclear. Oladipo has mostly struggled since joining Houston, averaging 18.4 points on 39% shooting from the floor and 30% from deep.
- James Ham of NBC Sports examines why the Kings shouldn’t trade Harrison Barnes despite teams being interested in the 28-year-old. Barnes, in his ninth NBA season, is averaging 16.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game in 25 contests.
“Despite opening the season with a red-hot start, the first-place Jazz aren’t satisfied with their situation and remain fully focused on changing” to a team name that makes sense for their home state of UTAH !!
They should concentrate on winning the West first. With over 45 gms left. They might not even be the 2nd seed in west. Teams should talk about winning. Not about Chips with so much time still left. Medina of USA.
NO should sue to get that name back.
And Minnesota should sue to get “LAKERS” back.
Advice is what the article and the quotes already said. Except about the team name fantasy.
Suns beat fully healthy 76ers today
Why didn’t 76ers acquire a similar player like Jordan Clarkson?
Clarkson 24 minutes 18 points
27 points per 36 minutes
or Zach LaVine
It’s about winning the East
Do you think they’re the only sports team to have a name with a history? It doesn’t fit that’s why it’s the perfect name and how you know exactly what team the article is talking about. Many teams have this for their names.
What about the Utah Lakers? That fits better than LA. Great Salt Lake anyone? Besides, Utah Jazz works because they’re both four letters and explain where they get their colors from.
P.S. The Jazz do have a new owner. They could conceivably change their name at any point. Just don’t get too worked up if they never do.
The timetable/prognosis on Wood & Dipo being a mystery is usually not a very good sign. Its been about a week.
They are just tanking hard to keep their top-4 protected pick this year.
Then Minnie pick becomes unprotected so it’s gonna be a top 10 anyway … i just don’t understand what Dubs are building with those picks and a win now situation
2020-21 season stats
Jrue Holiday
16, 5, 5
Oladipo
18, 5, 4
Use Holiday deal as a basis to trade Dipo?
Holiday = 2 unprotected picks and 3 unprotected swaps
Injury could be temporary
If injury is not temporary, Dipo is worth nothing now
Jrue Holiday is a lot better than Oladipo. Using basic numbers like that doesn’t show who is better than the other.
Too bad Dipo won’t play. Knicks can’t get a good look at him. I don’t see Oladipo staying in Houston. His stats aren’t great. So I don’t see Rockets getting big offers. Or Oladipo getting big contract offers either. He might have to sign one yr deal to show he’s due a big contract.
Oladipo coming off injury with groin I think. I remember seeing him with Pacers and was good then. Just has not fit here in Houston. Saw in an article of sending him to Lakers for Kuzma, Caruso and Pope
I do not see Oladipo around much longer. If will go before deadline or what.
Thought might fit here but has not been great since his first game played with us.
Hopefully can get something for him
Dipo/Wood/Tucker, 2021 POR 1st returned, 2022 HOU 1st for C.J. McCollum & Zach Collins
Portland has Gary Trent & Simons, should trade McCollum for 2 role players. Let Portland flip Dipo in the offseason. Their problem…
your username is just embarrassing bro
I’m glad I do not disappoint
Oladipo for Buddy Hield a 2022 & 2024 pick…
I don’t think I’d pay that much for new Dipo.
It could take another season to find out if he will ever regain his previous form, plus he has an expiring contract. RISK
He will drive a hard bargain because he knows that the end of next season is pretty much the end of line for him. He needs to show shades of old Dipo by then, or go to the bench & forget big contracts.
Even Hield straight across seems like a risk for SAC. To me anyway.
I’m sure some Fanboy has Oladipo ranked next to Beal, Lavine, McCollum, but that was before his injury. He’s not even Malik Beasley or Fournier right now. The guy is not the same & his salary/contract offers will reflect this in the offseason. Short & decent, or cheap & long.
Wall is outplaying him & he is pretty fresh off a serious injury too
Probably just Dipo for Hield straight up. Hield at least will drop 20, drain threes and he’s durable where he rarely ever misses games. Kings can get from under his contract since they intend on keeping Barnes, and with Bagley’s RFA coming up they will have more cap space…if Dipo doesn’t work out for them, at least he’s off the books and they can pursue someone else…. Lavine,Jru Holiday are definitely better than Oladipo. Dipo isn’t on the same tier as Beal, not even close. Those fanboys are extremely strung out on candles..