SDH's 2013/2014 NBA Worst to First Previews and Predictions: 25. Utah Jazz

+Utah Jazz  Overall Win/Loss Record:  43-39,  third place Northwest Division	Last Season’s Rank 17	Projected 2013/2014 Finish 25
Last season’s Team Statistics and League Rank Points Scored: 98.0 (13th) Points Allowed: 98.1 (16th) Team FG%:  .454 (12th) Opponent’s FG%: .458 (20th) Team FT%: .764 (12th) Team Three Point FG%: .366 (9th) Rebounds per game: 42.0 (15th) Opponents rebounds per game: 40.8 (7th) Turnovers per game: 14.2 (19th) Opponents turnovers per game: 14.1 (16th)	Returning Individual Statistical Leaders Scoring (ppg): +Gordon Hayward  (14.1) Rebounds per game: +Derrick Favors  (7.1) Minutes per game: Gordon Hayward   (29.2) Assists per game: Jamaal Tinsley (4.4) Field Goal Percentage: +Enes Kanter  (.544) Free Throw Percentage: Gordon Hayward (.830) Three Point FG Percentage: Gordon Hayward (.415) Steals per game: Jamaal Tinsley (1.0) Blocked Shots per game:  Derrick Favors (1.7)
Projected Starters Based on Talent, Tenure, and Potential Impact: C. Enes Kanter PF. Derrick Favors SF. Marvin Williams SG. Gordon Hayward  PG. Jamaal Tinsley	Second Unit Roster Order Ranked on Talent, Tenure, and Potential Impact: G/F. Richard Jefferson G. Alec Burks G/F. Brandon Rush C. Andris Biendris F. Jeremy Evans
Analysis: It has finally arrive to the time where not only Jazz fans, but all who follow the +NBA have been waiting for--where we all finally get to see Derrick Favors unleashed to the world.  Since he was selected third overall in the 2010 NBA Draft, hoops fans have been waiting eagerly to finally see what this unique human specimen can finally do.  So far we have been teased by glimpses of his potential greatness as he had spent much of his young career stashed on the bench behind the likes of +Al Jefferson and +Paul Milsap; however, now with them gone of to greener pastures, Favors will finally have his chance to bask in the spotlight that has been denied from him four the past four years.  Favors will not be the only player that have Jazz fans' mouths watering and chomping at the bit as he is one of numerous young talents the team posses who will finally have their moments in the sun. The first of these young prodigies who will soon become the foundation of a Jazz team for years to come is the young Turkish center who had very little basketball experience, but had the size, the build, the strength along with a plethora of skills to be someone that will be remembered in the NBA for a long time.  When Enes Kanter entered the draft little was known about him other than he was deemed ineligible to play for the +Unversity of Kentucky Wildcats and the small glimpses that were seen in a +Nike Hoops Summit game so it was considered a gamble when Utah picked him third overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. Despite his limited basketball exposure, Kanter went on to prove that he belonged in the NBA as he played all 66 games in the lockout shortened 2012 season while posting rather respectable numbers in limited minutes--4.6 points, 4.2 rebounds in 13.5 minutes per game while shooting .496 from the field.  Last season Kanter took another step forward as he came onto the court looking leaner, meaner and to make a statement and he certainly did as he led the team in field goal percentage and upping his numbers to 7.2 points and 4.3 rebounds in a little over 15 minutes per game.  Now that he no long has to play behind someone else, look for Kanter's numbers to double as he might possibly be paired alongside Derrick Favors to give the Jazz potentially the most imposing and invincible front court duo the league has seen in a generation.  One can liken a Kanter/Favors duo to have the same dominance and intimidation factor similar to what +Kevin McHale and +Robert Parish had while playing for the +Boston Celtics in the 1980s.   Playing alongside the next Parish and McHale, the Jazz might potentially also have in its possession the reincarnation of the greatest Caucasian to have every played the game, +Larry Bird, and he comes in the form of a lanky, boyishly good looking, and understated Gordon Hayward.  He did not look like much in his rookie season coming out of Butler University, but he started to show signs of potential greatness in his second and third season showing an innate ability to can the outside jumper while splitting his opponents' defenses.  Hayward also showed an affinity to not only scoring but facilitating his teammates and finding them open with his 3.0 assists per game as well as a keen intellect on the court similar to the Larry Legend himself.  Like Bird, Hayward's game is neither that flashy nor does he seem to be very quick or athletic either, but underestimating him will be a defender's downfall as he will make that person pay on both ends of the court.   Many may scoff at what is being said right now, but that's because no one has seen him play, but once he gets unleashed people will remember what this guy's name is and in time, he might just eclipse Favors and Kanter as the face of the Utah Jazz. Finally, rounding out the Jazz's foundation of the future is the other first round pick that the Jazz selected in 2011 with the twelfth pick in the draft--shooting guard Alec Burks.  Right now it is undetermined whether Burks will play the point or the shooting guard position on opening day because although he is listed on many sites as a point guard, his numbers have shown a completely different story.  Last season Burks had given a rather solid performance coming off the bench scoring seven points per game in just under 18 minutes of playing time, but his assist to turnover ratio was almost even at one thus showing how unprepared he is to play that position.  Also unlike the other three player mentioned, Burks may or may not be a part in the Jazz's long term plans because although he may have shown some potential when given more minutes, he does not seem to have what it takes to really set himself apart from all the other guards in the league. Nonetheless, he still remains an intriguing prospect that should be still kept an eye on as like his aforementioned teammates, also he has the potential to do big things. Despite all the hope and optimism of the Jazz's new youth movement, it does come at a price as Utah will enter opening day with one of the youngest and inexperienced team in the league.  In the 16 man roster heading into training camp, nine of the players are aged 25 years an under while at the same time the Jazz have no real options at the point guard position.  So far, their best option at the starting point guard is a 35 year old Jamaal Tinsley, a player whose career is nearing its end and has more baggage than a 747 heading on an international flight.  Other than that, the veteran presence is rather weak as it consists of primarily rejects and has-beens that offer little if any leadership for this rather green team.  Facing an ever strengthening Western Conference, expect the Jazz to take a lot of lumps this season as they look to finish near the bottom of the conference and the league; however, Utah hoops fans can keep in mind that during these harsh times, they have a fertile ground of young talent that willn soon take the league by storm.