There are two entirely different ways to look at the first half of the season for the Utah Jazz. On the one hand, you can say they've blended in several new players very well. With Al Jefferson, Raja Bell, Gordon Hayward, Francisco Elson and Earl Watson all playing significant roles while having to learn a brand new system, you could say the Jazz 27-14 record is better than expected.
You could say the Jazz have been extremely good finishers, having erased no less than 12 double-digit deficits to win games. Thrilling comeback victories over Miami, Orlando and the Lakers especially stand out and will be remembered for a long time. You could argue that as the season continues, the Jazz will only get better as all the new players continue to grow together. And there's no question the Jazz are a much better road team than they've been in many years.
However, there is another side to this coin. The Jazz slow starts have become an epidemic. And they're not just happening against good teams. Detroit, Washington, Memphis and Houston have all recently tried to bury the Jazz early in games. The Jazz will absolutely not be able to survive these slow starts in the playoffs.
You could also argue that the Jazz have been consistently inconsistent. They have exactly one win over a team with a winning record since December 10th. From game to game, you can't tell which Jazz team is going to show up, and that doesn't bode well in the post-season. And with the schedule only getting harder in the second half of the season, the Jazz could be in for rougher times down the stretch.
I tend to believe the first argument. I truly believe the Jazz will get better as the season goes on, especially if Mehmet Okur can get back to full strength. While I don't think the Jazz are destined for the NBA Finals, I do think they can reach as high as a #3 seed in the Western Conference and make a run to the Conference Finals. But they have to become more consistent and not rely on those big comebacks.
My prediction: 52-29.
