This doesn't come as much of a surprise, but the Utah Jazz are ready to make an impact this season.
The Utah Jazz are finally back in the "disrespect zone" after years spent far outside of the spotlight.
What is the "disrespect zone", you ask? I'm so glad you did. The "disrespect zone" is kind of the goldilocks zone for an up-and-coming NBA basketball team. Just as the Earth is the perfect distance from the Sun to sustain life, the Utah Jazz are the perfect distance from being a contender and from being a standings bottom-feeder that Utahns can finally say, with validity, "they don't believe in us".
Utah hasn't experienced this phenomenon since the last time they reached the playoff rounds, and to be entirely candid, the haters and doubters were vindicated in their lack of faith.
The Jazz lost in the playoffs, and regularly. They lost against the Rockets (two agonizing times). They lost against the Nuggets (that one hurt). They lost against the Clippers (that one really hurt). Finally, they lost against the Mavericks. That was the last straw; the Jazz were out of the contending business, and opted to start fresh.
Self-destruction via trades, waives, and free agency picked the old guard apart, leaving only a shell of its former glory to take its place.
Fittingly, the Jazz donned some of the most hideous uniforms in basketball history to mark this transition period.
And when they hit rock-bottom, the world's disbelief in Utah's team was validated. They truly were one of the worst teams in the world -- their win-loss record confirmed as much.
But now that they're back on the ascent, those who speak against the Utah Jazz do so with less bravado. With less self-assurance. Because deep down in their soul they know, whether they want to admit it or not, the Utah Jazz could prove a lot of people wrong this season.
Chris Mannix from Sports Illustrated believes that Utah is the most likely team to return to the playoffs after missing out last season.
"The Jazz, finally, look poised to make a big leap. The Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen front court is dynamic, Ace Bailey will make a big jump and Keyonte George will continue to push towards All-Star status. Will Hardy, an excellent coach, will get to show his chops. It should be a fun year in Salt Lake City."
Though many project the Jazz to be more of a Play-In feature than a certified competitor in the stacked Western Conference, the team is putting the league back on notice.
Welcome back to the disrespect zone, Utah. We've missed you.
