The year is 1997. The Chicago Bulls have started the season 6-5. The Jazz have started the season 5-6. Both teams are off to a slow start and are playing below their expectations. Both teams will go on to finish 62-20 and meet in the NBA Finals. Today, the Chicago Bulls are 6-5. The Jazz are 4-8, and the parallels pretty much end there. Point is, though, this season is still quite young. The Bulls are on a 5-game heater, which may be a sign of things to come and or a flash in the pan. The Jazz appear to be a little too good and in danger of losing their pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder. There is still plenty of time left for the wheels to fall off or to make a push for the play-in. Which scenario makes you optimistic and which one makes you pessimistic is a bit of a Rorsach test for Jazz fans.
The main player to watch for the Jazz is, and will probably remain, Ace Bailey. He has been a delight to watch since he cracked the starting lineup, and has displayed all of the upside (excellent shot mechanics, physical gifts, ability to score from anywhere on the floor) and none of the supposed downsides (selfish, plays hero ball, doesn’t know how to pass). Another guy who has caught my attention is Kyle Filipowski. Sadly, he isn’t scoring at his Summer League rate because he’s facing actual NBA competition, but the way he moves within the offense and facilitates has been impressive so far. He will continue to see the floor for extended minutes due to the Walker Kessler and Taylor Hendricks injuries.
As for the Bulls, their emerging star Josh Giddey is listed as PROBABLE, with big man Zach Collins listed as OUT. In addition to Giddey, one of the Bulls’ biggest scoring threats is veteran forward Nikola Vucevic, who is averaging nearly 17/10/3 this season.
Ace Bailey. I am sure that we’ll be spoiled with many highlights from him this season and beyond.
When: Sunday, November 16th - 8:00 PM ET (6:00 PM MT)
Where: Delta Center, Salt lake City, UT
Radio: 97.5/1280 The Zone