2017 NBA Playoffs Preview:
Success, like most things in life, is relative. When the Jazz secured their first 50 win season in 7 years, their season was already viewed as a triumph. The youth saturated roster is finally yielding results. The Clippers, however, have had five 50 win seasons over the last five years. That is no longer good enough to emanate a warm fuzzy feeling around the fan base.
The current dynamic is ironic. The historically laughable franchise becomes the one with the lofty expectations while the one that has oozed success can feel good about a minor accomplishment. This is not a knock on the Clippers or the Jazz, simply an undeniable fact about the quick shifts that occur within a few years in the NBA.
Now, these two teams with expectations on opposite sides of the spectrum will meet in what is arguably the best playoff series in the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs. The match-up that is most interesting is the one in the paint. Rudy Gobert and DeAndre Jordan are stylistically similar players. Gobert has perfected what DJ thought he had mastered.
Because of this, DeAndre seems preemptively angry, pushing harder to prove he is the best at what he does. In the four games the Clippers and Jazz have played thus far, it has worked. DJ is averaging 9 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in those games and sports a plus/minus of +42 while Gobert sits at -47. The main issue will be whether he can keep the level of intensity he brought to every game during the season. For Gobert, it will be how he handles high pick and rolls with Chris Paul and DJ.
Gobert has a propensity for falling back into the paint, guarding what he guards best, the rim. Chris Paul is a master of taking the open space an opponent gives him, however. If Chris Paul is in attack mode, it could spell trouble for the Jazz. If the Clippers choose to go small against Gobert putting either Speights or Griffin at the 5, the Jazz may have serious issues.
Blake Griffin has shot 36.5% from 3 since the All-Star break and Speights has shot 37.5% from 3 on the season. Gobert has continual trouble with coming out and defending the three ball. The Clippers may utilize these lineups in short spurts against Gobert.
The same goes for how the Clippers handle pick and roll situations against the Jazz’s stellar point guard. Defenders still seem to think it is OK to go underneath on George Hill pick and rolls. It is completely and utterly not OK. George Hill is exquisite when he is left unguarded. He does not possess nearly the same “take over” potential, but he can still seriously alter a game.
The Jazz don’t win games by overwhelming their opponents with their individual talent, though. They do it with their stellar execution and waves of above average players. This is exactly what could hurt the Clippers who over the last few years have not been known for their superb bench. This is why Joe Ingles could prove huge for the Jazz in the 2017 NBA Playoffs.
Jingling Joe is having a phenomenal season, averaging 44% from 3pt range and fitting perfectly into the Jazz’s system. He has a keen ability to pass the rock, can take his defender 1-on-1, and seemingly never shoots a bad shot. This play where Ingles passes to a cutting Gordon Hayward works nearly every time.
If Joe Ingles is able to get 15-20 a game for the Jazz, the series could really swing in their favor. The potential for that happening is high because of the lack of capable defenders to guard Joe in the second unit. The Clippers will most likely have to put Jamal Crawford on him which could prove as a death sentence defensively. Raymond Felton may have best chance at guarding him as he has been a thorn defensively for most of the season.
The Clippers will probably combat the Jazz’s depth by leaving Chris Paul or Blake Griffin on the court at all times. Griffin can guard Joe Johnson, Boris Diaw, and Derrick Favors allowing for the other cross matches, however unfavorable, to at least make sense. The same goes for Paul who can guard George Hill, Dante Exum, Joe Ingles, or Rodney Hood. Not to mention JJ Redick who has vastly improved as a defender. The test will be whether the starters have the stamina to keep up with the Jazz bench.
Jamal Crawford will likely have to be “on” to combat the depth of the Jazz and at least keep pace with Ingles, which is not a stretch.
On top of the Clippers having superior talent, experience, and serious desperation, the factor that will swing it in their direction is the Utah Jazz’s top scorer. Gordon Hayward has yet to prove he can perform in the playoffs, shooting just 33 total times. As deep and well executed as the Jazz are, they still rely heavily on their top scorer. Hayward played in three of the four games against the Clippers this season. In the game they won, he accrued 27 points on a blazing 50% shooting.
In the two games they lost, he scored a measly 7 and 13 points.
He will also have to face a top-tier defender in Luc Mbah a Moute, a player that seems to finally be understanding his role as the Tony Allen/André Roberson, “I am out here for defense” guy. Look at how he suffocates Bradley Beal here and forces the ugly shot at the end of the possession.
Luc could seriously disrupt Haywards ability to get buckets. As minuscule as that may seem on a team that relies on so many players, it is important for the 2017 NBA Playoffs. Not only are the Jazz 6-15 (!) when Gordon Hayward scores 17 or fewer points, but they may still need a player who can hit a clutch basket. When the game slows down and someone needs to score, Hayward needs to be that guy and Luc may just be why he misses that last second J instead of nailing it.
The Jazz and Clippers are both extremely good. The Clippers just have too many great players, too much experience, and too little time. They need to win this series in the way the Jazz don’t. This is going to be a really fascinating series and Jamal Crawford messing up defensively and unnecessarily ISOing 3-4 times a game while Joe Johnson and Ingles run the offense smoothly may just be the difference.
The Clippers are playing some good basketball again after their blazing start. Their bench is not great but improved. The Jazz also have several injured players heading into the playoffs that could alter their preferred lineups, which they have rarely gotten to trot out this year. The Clippers have just enough ammunition to get past round one in the 2017 NBA Playoffs.
Clippers in 6.
