How are the Utah Jazz suddenly so good?! | Thinking Basketball

Is Will Hardy making a push for Coach of the Year? How are the Jazz suddenly playing so well? Are they going to make the playoffs and bump Golden State or the Lakers out? We discuss Utah's white hot month, coaching adjustments, and the all-time legendary team the Jazz remind us of.
#thinkingbasketball

[@moreTB]

Timestamps: 7:00 The Jazz have figured out the right lineups 19:20 How the Jazz maximize player potential / Orbiting around Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson 27:28 Walker Kessler is an elite rim protector 36:55 Can Will Hardy win coach of the year? 43:24 Kris Dunn is everywhere on defense

[@onelove2230]

I was one of the 13 people waiting for the Kelly Olynyk section 😂

[@arp_909]

The Klynyk!

[@micahdeanmusic]

Olynyk is way underrated

[@FuyuBiyori]

Olynyk is super underrated. He's a seven footer with point guard skills. He shoots threes at 40%, and has great vision to make passes you wouldn't expect. One of the few players averaging a triple-double per 100 posessions.

[@redwood1542]

Hardy was a video coordinator for those 2014 Spurs.

[@wubmasterdubdub8455]

As a Utahn I've been hoping for this episode!

[@magicofshootingstar]

I have watched way too many non-Jazz -channels Jazz videos in last few days since they have been popping up. But not one of them have given me this many good laughs and this little frustration of having wrong "facts" 😄 So thanks! 😊 Oh and as a Finn I can confirm that saying Lauri like you say Kyle Lowrys surname is closest most English speakers get. There is no weird Finnish letters in there but you should roll your "r" in the middle to sound like native but that seems to be hard for English speakers 😄

[@kevinhong4018]

I've noticed the Jazz are great at punishing switches onto Lauri and have really good off-ball sets that punish opposing teams that don't want to switch. And if you do switch they have a ton of vets who can put it on the floor.

[@jonasplaysguitar81]

I am a proud native Utahn/Utard. 😂 Coach Hardy has changed the way John Collins is used for the better over the last 30 days. Keyonte is also improving his offensive abilities. His comfort level is showing on the court. Outside of his elite vision, which creates multiple positive WTF moments every game, you can see that he is creating and making his offensive opportunities. Kelly O is an absolute beast on the floor. He is slomo play making perfection that shoots 40% from 3. Enough said! The next stretch of games will show if the Jazz are legit and will make or break their playoff dreams. Also, keep an eye on Zanick and Ainge. If they trade Clarkson or Kelly, the Jazz will be making Hendricks and Sensabaugh a priority. They are both killing it in the Gleague. Thanks for the episode!

[@maartenvz]

Such a luxury to have the next guys ready to go. Great (re)build so far!

[@aaaaab5909]

To answer the Kessler question, it is basically that Collins is more effective at the 5 and is a veteran on a bigger contract, and also it beefs up the bench unit to aid the non Markkanen minutes and cover the defensive frailties of Clarkson, George and Olynyk

[@eetuhu]

Collins is the only Jazz player who still has a clear negative net rating in the last month, so he's really not more effective than Kessler. But the defensive fit with the rest of the unit is a thing, as is the spacing issue on offense. Although Jazz are really good at hiding Kessler in the corner and he's really good at cutting to the basket when his guy commits to helping.

[@shorewall]

@@eetuhu I think OP meant that Collins needs to play the 5, because he isn't as good as a 4. To me, I think they are trying to showcase Collins, to build his trade value.

[@James-lt3so]

Yeah Kessler’s ability to dominate vs 2nd units is night and day compared to Kessler vs team’s stars

[@sskmanentsa5326]

Congratulations to Cody on achieving the greatest title any man can be on this earth, may you be blessed with many more. To the editor, next time please write the year 2024 on the text below you guys.

[@finnishview2933]

Why these dudes say that Markkanen is not good defender? Maybe they havent look how good he is nowadays? In LAL game markkanen was main reason why Anthony Davis had bad shooting game. Also if look opp FG% when Lauri is closest defender, that number says Lauri is good defender. But when get reputation in horrible bulls team, some people dont change they view ever. In bulls Lauri was all the time impossible situation because they guards didnt defend anyone at all.

[@BaxaXooraay]

He played other games than the one vs LAL, and just mentionning one specific defensive stat saying lauri is good is poor methodology. I like Lauri but he's kinda average I think, doesn't really protect the rim, can be slow to react at times but he's versatile, big and cover space well, Utah uses his strengths very well and playing with good defenders allows him to hide some limitations

[@LJ231998]

Thanks for the shoutout! Utahns love the Jazz!

[@geordiejones5618]

Congrats Cody. I'm 5 months into dad duty myself. Get used to bodily fluids and crying 😅

[@wyattfriend7360]

Thinking bball gonna show me why the Utah jazz are fun

[@GustavoSilva-ny8jc]

13:33 😂😂😂😂😂😂 now you're talking my language

[@mikaeki5245]

Markkanen not good at defence? Did you not see him shutting Anthony Davis out? Also, I was surpirised you didn't mention Keyonte George. He has been a spark.

[@joeycarlisle9844]

he's a great rookie but not really affecting the game as much as just showing potential

[@roopekal]

Not sure if you guys already know, but the graphic still has 2023 in it

[@Sealy_boy]

This is awesome! As a fellow Utahn, I’ve been hoping for this kind of coverage!!

[@aiaiS16]

Congrats, Cody!

[@EmanCollins]

Y'all were COOKING on this one! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@boopmcdoop7841]

Came here while listening on Spotify. Cody was COOKING about Walker Kessler

[@arp_909]

Been waiting for this, not really getting much attention in the main stream but you can always rely on Thinking Basketball!

[@snapwilson316]

Hey, congrats to Cody!

[@XbacongamN]

Dunn settles down Sexton and allows him not to have to play the point. Allows him to create his show and drive at will. It is a perfect pairing. Kessler and Collins don’t work together I guess it just clogs everything up but Kessler with Kelley and Clarkson work amazing. The team is rolling

[@sirz11]

congrats cody

[@joeycarlisle9844]

Its so fun to watch my Jazz stomp these high ranked teams. They aren't flashy and don't have hardly any star power, but they are maximized very well

[@olafbooij6849]

They are playing so well, the only question I have is when is KD gonna demand a trade there?

[@michaelahurt]

I'm here for the Simone Fontecchio fan club

[@GustavoSilva-ny8jc]

2:07 HOLY SHIT

[@uniontpke772]

@43:22 I am like Cody, I never pay attention to players' shoes.

[@uniontpke772]

Congrats Cody!!!!

[@TheChessRunner]

I am ready for the next level of ridiculousness this podcast will reach when Cody does in on limited sleep as father! Congratz

[@nickornixx]

Congrats cody!

[@rumpdebump]

Their benches are just absolutely demolishing other benches. Kessler anchors down the the defensive shortcomings and allows all those microwave scoreres on the team to go wild.

[@adhithram]

Congratulations Cody

[@IHadToMakeThisAccount]

Congratulations to Cody!!! Very Jealous, and a great way to more than make up for the the disappointment that the Bucks will have at the end of the year!😂 Really though, Congratulations 🎊🎈🎉

[@dddiop]

Never forget the Kris Dunn/Shaq Harrison Jim Boylen dream

[@MrHambone43]

When I heard that Chris Dunn was still playing, I was shocked! I remember when he played for our Timberwolves a hundred years ago; I thought he was getting his NBA pension!

[@stevenpampreen2179]

In honor of Cody's announcement. I want a dad rec league themed podcast. Designing a box score for rec league Offensive and defensive scheming when half the players can't run. Is playing defense even ethical?

[@clintvanderlinden7408]

Great work, fellers

[@The_EEBS]

cody van vleet father of the year

[@IzzyHoP_]

I thought we were still tanking tbh lol. early this season was really rough still.

[@michaelahurt]

I mean, it's not *not* hot shooting. Sexton is 55/46/96 with 68% TS and Lauri is 53/48/90 with 70% TS in January. So unless these guys have turned into Steph Curry and Kevin Durant, yeah, that's definitely a hot spell. It's more appropriate to say it's not *just* hot shooting driving this but there *IS* hot shooting over this stretch. Also Jordan Clarkson remembered how to play basketball so that helps. He was absolutely *horrific* before his injury (50% TS) and now he's back to being Jordan Clarkson we've watched for 10 years (57% TS, -1% vs league)

[@_Doodle-bob]

Let’s Go!!!!

[@snapwilson316]

I thought they were called Utes.

[@joshi_new_wave3283]

The Utes are a Native American tribe from this area (Utah area).

[@uniontpke772]

Could you discuss why Atlanta's defense is so bad at some point?

[@sportspredictiontv1290]

Watchout! Jazz vs Warriors later, then Jazz vs OKC on the next !

[@brandonwilliam2618]

If Utah beats okc next then there’re going to the playoffs, cause no one is stopping them

[@onedone2011]

danny ainge : 45k : pow

[@stephenschulte455]

Will hardy seems to know how to maximize his players and get the most out of them

[@adhithram]

Date graphic is still stuck in 2023 guys. Change it

[@mikoloner]

Yes Utahn

[@uniontpke772]

We want an Olynyk section.

[@bayushisezaru]

SIMONE FONTECCHIO 💚🤍❤️

[@James-lt3so]

One thing to note about Walker Kessler. Steve Kerr benched him during USA basketball when the team lacked rim protection and rebounding. Steve Kerr is an overrated coach who underperforms his roster talent consistently

[@imhotepnixon]

MarkannenVP

[@mikaelangeloh2316]

Nice, but minus points for misspelling his name, like 99% of youtube commenters.

[@tapio_m6861]

The date is probably Jan. 15 2024, but that's an easy mistake do make.

[@ChewyChicken589]

Utahns

[@Max-kw2hp]

Jazz is a cute team 😂

[@GustavoSilva-ny8jc]

7:28 That's crazy, guess we're gonna hear a lot of foreign names from now on... welcome the world usa bball, now you're gonna be like most sports.

[@matthewking7571]

It's Utahen

[@karlnelson4218]

Utahan is right.

[@adamlaurahailstone5114]

They are 22-20, not 21-20.

[@jeffchrisfillmore9660]

Utahn is correct

[@wellshu1381]

anything to not talk about clips being good

[@MK3504]

Nba media so cringe. Calling them the NBA league pass teams at their record is funny. Your podcast do what you want obviously.

[@Sealy_boy]

Casual NBA fan

[@MK3504]

@@Sealy_boy you had to edit a 3 word comment. Go home, generic 2000s movie extra

[@Sealy_boy]

@@MK3504 well I knew you weren’t a Jazz fan, so I figured I’d make it extra clear for you that I was referring to the NBA as a whole

[@Sealy_boy]

@@MK3504 also, you have a surprising number of crybaby, passive aggressive replies to this channel. Why don’t you find somewhere else that will prop up the perfect opinions you have? cause this ain’t it

[@MK3504]

@@Sealy_boy I've had no passive aggressive replies. That's something you would know about. I've been clear on my stance, Jazz are mid just like you. Stop gatekeeping a YT channel, makes you look pathetic. Stay in your lane little boy