Note: Sportsnet.ca will unveil a team preview every day from Oct. 1-30 counting down in reverse order where we believe the teams will finish.
The young Jazz appear at No. 12:
2011-12 record: 36-30 (Division: 3rd Northwest; Conference: 8th Eastern).
Key additions
Randy Foye (Signed from Clippers); Marvin Williams (Acquired from Hawks); Mo Williams (Acquired from Clippers).
Key subtractions
Devin Harris (Traded to Hawks); C.J. Miles (Signed by Cavaliers).
Key player: Marvin Williams
The Jazz’ inside game is packed with talent but this a team that is in dire need of shooters to space the floor properly. Marvin Williams may be a better fit in Utah as he shot a career-high .389 from long range last year.
Outlook
After opening last season with a pair of lop-sided losses, the Jazz recovered nicely and in the end, they snuck past Houston and surprised all by qualifying for the playoffs.
In the off-season, they made a couple of small changes to the roster that, when paired with some players maturing, may allow them to move up a notch or two in the standings.
First they picked up Mo Williams from the Clippers. If he plays like he did with Cleveland a couple of years ago, this team will be a playoff squad but if he continues to regress he may not be much better than Devin Harris, last year’s starter.
Harris, who was solid as the Jazz’s starter a year ago, was shipped to Atlanta for Marvin Williams as the Jazz are hoping that a change of scenery and an opportunity to start will finally allow the former Hawk to live up to his potential. The Jazz had trouble scoring from long range last year and Williams may help solve that problem.
A year ago it was a bit of a revolving door at small forward as the Josh Howard, C.J. Miles and Demarre Carroll all started at certain points of the season. Only Caroll returns as he looks to build on a strong rookie season and he will battle Williams and Gordon Hayward for minutes on the wing.
The Jazz’ greatest strength continues to be their depth at the power positions. Few teams can match Utah’s four-man rotation of Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson, Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter.
With that kind of size, the Jazz will be a playoff contender and if they get the small forward spot straightened out, they could do some damage.
Prediction:
45-37 (Division: 3rd Northwest, Conference: 7th Western).
Which team has the NBA’s best frontcourt?
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