SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Jazz are on the verge of elimination in the Western Conference semifinals. The Houston Rockets, who despite a Game 2 slip-up, have comfortably manhandled the young Jazz roster to long stretches of double-digit deficits, a lack of offensive execution and perceived unequal treatment from the referees.

It is at times frustrating to watch and a reminder of exactly how far the Jazz are away from truly competing for an NBA championship. As good as the Houston Rockets appear, it will surprise nobody in NBA circles if they are in turn equally manhandled by the defending champion Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference finals.

But instead of Jazz fans viewing this short second-round series as a reminder of what they aren’t, perhaps they should consider it a part of their educational journey. This series is more of a peer review at the hands of the Rockets than it is a failing grade. Houston is the graduate student pursuing its Ph.D. in NBA championships, and it is showing the Jazz what it will take if they want to be a part of the championship conversation.

First, the Jazz need more offense. A lot has been made of the lack of typical elite defense from the assumed Defensive Player of the Year in Rudy Gobert, but truthfully, the Jazz have found a way to contain the Rockets' incredible offense.

According to NBA.com, the Rockets had a 112.2 offensive rating during the regular season, good for second best in the league. Over the last four games, the Jazz have dropped that to 106.8, which would have been good for 14th in the NBA during the regular season, just behind the Washington Wizards and just ahead of the Jazz. However, their defensive rating against the Jazz has been a brilliant 96.3, simply put, the Jazz can’t score enough to stay competitive with even an average-level offensive team.

What the Rockets have revealed is that Donovan Mitchell can’t do it alone. That isn’t to say the rookie guard hasn’t had support from his teammates, the Jazz beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round due to big games from Derrick Favors, Rudy Gobert, Joe Ingles, Ricky Rubio and others.

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But against a real contender, supporting players simply aren’t enough. Mitchell and the Jazz can’t rely on a rotating cast of performances to keep them afloat. Gone are the NBA days when a team had a Batman and finding a Robin meant you would make a run to the finals.

James Harden and Chris Paul are both capable of playing that lead role, as are Kevin Durant and Steph Curry for the Warriors. LeBron James is the ultimate superhero in the NBA, and without Kyrie Irving, he may not be able to recapture a fourth championship ring. If James can’t do it by himself, Mitchell won’t be able to either. Finding a second Batman is the biggest remaining step for the Jazz between being good and being a contender.

Second in the Rockets peer review, the Jazz could use more shooting. Don’t get me wrong, Houston hasn’t had an unbelievable shooting series, and shooting alone isn’t the difference in these games. But Houston has yet to make fewer than 10 threes in any game so far in the playoffs. The Jazz have failed to make more than seven twice in the last four games.

In Game 2, when the Jazz outshot the Rockets from three, making 15 over Houston’s 10, the Jazz won. They Jazz have been outshot in each of the three losses.

The NBA is in the midst of an arms race, and the more shooting, the better. While the Jazz have made significant gains in that regard under Quin Snyder, adding more shooters at each position is crucial.

Third, the Jazz need experience. While I don’t buy into the idea that the Jazz should just be happy to be here, and by the way, I don’t think they feel that way, I do believe these shortcomings are a part of the process. Mitchell was not supposed to lead the Jazz to the playoffs this season, much less the second round. Now that he has, he’s set his place in line as a potential successor to the current NBA powers.

As great as James is and dominant as the Warriors and Rockets appear, the sun will set on their championship runs. James will continue to age, and with growing salaries, the Warriors and Rockets won’t be able to keep these rosters intact. Players wanting to win championships will find the other select few who appear capable of reaching that potential and join them to get there.

Mitchell appears to be the type of player who has that potential, and like Dwyane Wade before him and Kobe Bryant before that, talent will seek him out to win at the highest levels. Proving his and the Jazz's worthiness of that talent is the next step.

The Jazz season may very well end Tuesday night, and fans will be left watching the remaining contenders battle for NBA supremacy. And while the quick exit at the hands of the Rockets may sting, it’s a necessary part of the championship process that the Jazz have surprisingly found themselves in.

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