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SALT LAKE CITY — At the midpoint of the 2013-14 NBA season, the Utah Jazz had a miserable 14-27 record.
At the midpoint of the 2014-15 NBA season, the Utah Jazz have a miserable 14-27 record.
So why should Jazz fans believe in the development of this team over last year’s disappointment? Comparing the two seasons, outside of wins, the numbers tell two different stories.
The Jazz began a true youth movement this season, removing seasoned NBA veterans from the roster, forcing this year's young squad into a sink-or-swim situation.
Last year’s starting lineup was on average 25.2 years old, buoyed heavily by longtime NBA vets Marvin Williams and Richard Jefferson; Tyrone Corbin had a pair of reliable, albeit average, NBA players to run his system. Having veterans to stabilize game pace and impart the tricks of the trade, i.e. NBA spacing, drawing charges and playing team defense, allows a coach to develop younger players in shorter stretches of time and face fewer game-deciding situations.
Jefferson and Williams held two of the top six spots for the Jazz regarding win shares, a statistic measuring the number of wins each player contributes to a team throughout the season. Jeremy Evans, at 26, also made the top six, meaning half of the Jazz top win-share performers were 26 or older.
Younger players, with larger roles, winning at an equal pace, should produce a brighter outlook, for both the season and the long-term future of the Jazz in the win category.
This season, five of the Jazz top six players in the win-shares category are 24 or younger, with Trevor Booker, 27, being the lone exception. Younger players, with larger roles, winning at an equal pace, should produce a brighter outlook, for both the season and the long-term future of the Jazz in the win category.
Win shares isn't the only statistical category in which the Jazz youngsters are showing improvement, as Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter have all increased their point-per-game averages from last season. More importantly, all three have increased their scoring efficiency, highlighting improved skill set and shot selection, rather than simply boosting field-goal attempts.
In addition, the Jazz as a team are showing steps of growth in regards to scheme. Last season, the Jazz finished the year with a defensive rating of 111.3, a stat measuring the number of points allowed per 100 defensive possessions. That was good for 29th in the league, or second worst. This season, the Jazz have improved their defensive rating to 109.4, good for 27th in the league. While the growth appears to be minor, it must be noted that this growth has occurred despite the average age of the roster declining.
The Jazz aren’t seeing better defense alone this season, as the offense has shown signs of improvement as well. The Jazz had an offensive rating of 103.5, good for 25th best in the league last season, while at the midway point this year, that number has climbed to 105.6, and 17th in the league.
In addition to the Jazz roster’s youth movement, it’s worth noting that the coaching staff also lost considerable experience. Corbin had nearly three full seasons of head coaching experience before leading the Jazz to a 14-27 record at last year’s midway point, while Quin Snyder is 41 games into his head coaching career overall.
Though the Jazz record this season through 41 games is identical to the disappointing total fans experienced last year, the growth of the team, both as individual pieces and as a whole, should give fans cause for hope. Under Snyder, and quickly developing young players, the Jazz’s future is considerably brighter than it was only 12 months ago.
Ben Anderson is the co-host of Gunther in the Afternoon with Kyle Gunther on 1320 KFAN from 3-7, Monday through Friday. Read Ben's Utah Jazz blog at 1320kfan.com, and follow him on Twitter @BenKFAN.
