Feb 7, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) and Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) look on against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Feb 7, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) and Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) look on against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
With the 2025-26 season about to start, ESPN did it's usual thing and released its Top 100. The good news is, the Utah Jazz got mentioned quite a few times. In fact, four Jazzmen were mentioned on the list. The bad news is that it's fair to argue their rankings may have been too low.
Let's emphasize the fact that there should be plenty of gratitude that the Jazz had four players named, as it's more or less confirmation that they are getting noticed to some degree. However, it also gives them a chip on the shoulder with how their ranked.
So let's not waste anymore time. Who were the Jazzmen who were mentioned. Well, the usual suspects.
-No. 83: Darryn Peterson
-No. 68: Keyonte George
-No. 53: Jaren Jackson Jr.
-No. 49: Lauri Markkanen
While it's cool to see Peterson immediately earn recognition before he's even played a game, the others' rankings are what's particularly puzzling.
We could go all day long on why these rankings are wrong, but simply put, it's the hallmarks of being a team that's spent the last four years in the tank. The players' individual values aren't that high because this is a league that asks, "What have you done for me lately?"
And because these Jazzmen haven't done much, they were ranked lower than what they deserved knowing the talent they possess. Here's the twist though: this is perfect for them.
It's how the Jazz can sneak up on everyone
Utah is currently in that rare position where, because there's quite literally no pressure on them, this season can go in any which direction and no one will be upset. By extension, that also means they can surprise everyone this season if all goes right. These rankings gives them the motivation to prove just how much everyone is sleeping on them.
It also shows a rare lesson that despite possessing talent, if it doesn't equate into results, all of that talent will only show itself on paper until further notice. The Jazz know that rankings like these demonstrate not just how good their players have to prove themselves individually, but also how well they play together as a unit.
Fans can complain about these rankings, but the truth is, they might just be what gets this team to live up to their potential this season. If this is what kicks them into high gear, then we should all be grateful that the Jazz are coming in with as minimal expectations as possible.
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