A Surprising Start for the Jazz | Podcast

Today we break down a wild start for the Utah Jazz and highlight specific items that contribute to the surprising start. We turn from macro to micro by identifying a stat for each rotation member that encapsulates the start.
2022-23
season
surprises
observations
stats
Author

Adam Bushman

Published

October 31, 2022

Intro

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Today:

  • Surprises thus far
  • Interesting stat from key rotation members

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Surprises thus far

  • Chemistry of the team
    • Returning faces from last year’s rotation: Conley, Clarkson, Gay
    • Returning coaching staff: Jensen, Skeeter
    • Given such turnover, didn’t expect to see such cohesion
      • Top 5 in assists
      • 13th in defense (CTG)
      • #6 in clutch NRTG (min 10 total minutes)
  • Shooting performance
    • Despite shooting talent, we’ve seen REALLY good luck
      • Only 1 game where UTA 3PAs where fewer than their opponent
      • Only 2 games where UTA 3P% was less than their opponent
    • Without that kind of luck, we’re looking more at a more realistic 3-4 record
  • “On the Same Page”
    • #6 in smart shot freq advantage
    • They’ve discovered some hierarchy and roles

Interesting stats from key rotation members

Disclaimer: super small size theater

We’ll try to stay away from inherently flawed stats as well

  • Lauri Markkanen
    • Adjusted TSA/gm: +9.8 (last year +3.4)
    • Adjusted TS%: -0.1% (last year +1.6%)
    • Similar efficiency on increased volume? Heck yeah!
      • 27% on 3’s while previous 1000 attempts resulted in 37%
  • Mike Conley
    • Seems far more active defensively
      • STL per 36: 1.6 (last year 1.7)
      • DEFLECtIONS per 36: 2.4 (last year 2.6)
  • Jordan Clarkson
    • Really prone to pass this season; has his eyes out and looking to playmake
    • Potential assists per 36: 9.9 (last year 5.7)
  • Kelly Olynyk
    • Putting together a similar start as he did in HOU, his best stretch ever
      • HOU: 21.7 pts, 9.6 rbs, 4.7 ast, +10.2% per 75 poss
      • UTA: 17.5 pts, 5.3 rbs, 4.7 ast, +13.8% per 75 poss
  • Malik Beasley
    • Malik hit that game sealing 3 against Memphis but…
      • Efficiency: 35.5% on C&S (down from 38.1%)
      • Volume: 44.9% of shots as C&S3 (down from 60.4% last year)
  • Jarred Vanderbilt
    • 6.4 fouls per 75 possessions; leading the league (min 100 minutes played)
    • Fouled out of 2 games this year; 3 games where playing time seriously affected
    • Has to get that under control (last two games have been better: 2 & 3 fouls respectively)
  • Collin Sexton
    • Big question: where is he realtive to 20-21?
      • He’s not there from a volume/role standpoint
    • But what about rates?
      • CLE: 25.5 pts, 3.3 rbs, 4.6 ast, +0.1% per 75 poss
      • UTA: 22.9 pts, 5.4 rbs, 3.5 ast, +3.1% per 75 poss
  • Rudy Gay
    • Much was made of Gay being unhappy last year
      • But it appears his attitude is improving despite…
        • USG: 16.5 (down from 19.3 last year)
        • Min/gm: 16.8 (down from 18.9 last year)
  • Talen Horton-Tucker
    • Rough, rough efficiency thus far: -12.5 rTS%
      • Not a ton of reasons his game should ever translate to league average efficiency
  • Walker Kessler
    • Creating significant issues for defenses at the rim
      • Opponent Rim Freq: 32% w/o Kessler (38% w/)
      • Opponent Rim FG%: 64% w/o Kessler (52% w/)

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