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Portland Trail Blazers: Projecting playoff seeding for entire Western Conference

By Carson Brown

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 21: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans fight for position during a game on December 21, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 21: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans fight for position during a game on December 21, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Rudy Gobert #27 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
Rudy Gobert #27 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Utah Jazz: 6th Seed

The Utah Jazz had an underwhelming 2018-19 season at the hands of the sophomore wall Donovan Mitchell appeared to hit. The season ended with a disappointing series defeat to the Rockets in which the Jazz only took one game, but Jazz fans should still be ecstatic with what’s to come this year.

But the Jazz now have a roster that looks as if it fits perfectly together like a jigsaw puzzle. The addition of Mike Conley is extremely exciting for the Jazz as well as for Conley. Utah’s new point guard is a seamless addition to pair with Mitchell in the backcourt as Conley isn’t as ball dominant as former Jazz point guard Ricky Rubio.

Donovan Mitchell likes to play with the ball in his hands and attack the basket to no end which makes Conley a major threat to catch and shoot all game long. Mitchell’s numbers increased in year two but the efficiency just wasn’t there. He shot around 43 percent from the field and barely above 36 percent from three. If Mitchell raises his shooting percentage he could find himself located in the top five in scoring come the end of the year.

Don’t forget, Rudy Gobert is still a monster! Gobert is the anchor of this defense who allows no easy points when he’s on the court. The back to back DPOY excelled in this summer’s FIBA circuit and is ready to finally be a part of a major playoff push.

What may end up being the most influential move in this summer for the Jazz is the acquisition of Croatian swingman Bojan Bogdanovic. Bogdanovic’s ability to space the floor makes this Jazz team frightening. He makes leaps in his game annually and shot forty-three percent from behind the arc last year which makes him a lethal option for the Jazz when he starts at small forward or plays the sixth man role.

Let’s not forget Joe Ingles. Another sharpshooter that presents troubles for opposing teams who at times can heat up and change the course of a game. Just imagine a lineup that has Conley and Mitchell playmaking with Ingles and Bogdanovic in the corners and an defensive anchor like Rudy Gobert. This Jazz team appears to be ready and energized to enforce issues on any team in this league that comes across its path.