Jazz Only Team With Starting 5 Ranked Among NBA’s Best

Sep 13, 2019, 7:42 PM | Updated: 7:53 pm

Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz is congratulated by Donovan Mitchell #45 after scoring against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on March 13, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

BY KYLE IRELAND, KSL SPORTS

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz were the only team in the NBA with the entire starting lineup listed among the best players in Sports Illustrated’s 2020 Top 100. Three were ranked among the top 30. All five were included in the top 65.

SI’s Rob Mahoney created the “SI 2020 Top 100.” He listed team veterans Donovan Mitchell, Joe Ingles and Rudy Gobert – and newcomers Mike Conley and Bojan Bogdanović.

Several teams had four players in the top 100, but the Jazz had the highest-rated starting unit of the league.

The Jazz made big off-season moves, making them one of the instant favorites for the NBA Finals. Three of the starting five were also picked to play for their home countries’ national teams in the FIBA World Cup.

Other teams had four players ranked as high as the Jazz (Denver, Golden State, Houston and Philadelphia), but based on Mahoney’s rankings, Jazz fans have reason to be hopeful their team will make a deep run in the post-season.

Do the Jazz have the best starting lineup in the NBA?

Do the @utahjazz have the best starting lineup in the NBA?#TakeNote

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 14, 2019

Utah made waves during the summer of 2018 after an unexpected and exciting playoff run during Donovan Mitchell’s rookie year. The team was performing well, and the front office felt they already had the right players for another run.

The opposite was true last summer. The Jazz made a blockbuster trade, moving fan favorites Kyle Korver, Jae Crowder and rookie Grayson Allen, along with draft picks, to Memphis for guard Mike Conley.

They traded Derrick Favors to New Orleans for two future second-round pick, and signed Bojan Bogdanović as a free agent.

After the dust settled on other big moves around the league, Sports Illustrated seemed to have placed the Jazz starting lineup above the rest.

The likely Jazz starting lineup for the 2019-20 NBA season is:

Mike Conley, guard
Donovan Mitchell, guard
Joe Ingles, forward
Bojan Bogdanovic, forward
Rudy Gobert, center

The Jazz Notes podcast drops at least weekly and can be found at sports.ksl.com, the KSL Newsradio App, Apple Podcasts or other podcast providers.

No. 65 Joe Ingles – ‘No Delusion To His Game”

Ingles was listed as the 65th best player in the NBA for 2020. He has been a vital player for the Jazz during the past five seasons. The small forward holds career averages of 8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.0 steals per game.

The Jazzman improved statistically each of the past four years. From 2017-19, Ingles increased his scoring per game with 11.5 PPG and 12.1 PPG in each of the past two seasons.

“One of the best things about Ingles is that he knows exactly who he is as a player. There is no delusion to his game. If there’s no opening, he won’t shoot. If there’s no angle, he won’t drive. That kind of restraint—born of the fact that Ingles isn’t exactly quick enough to blow past anyone—can be inhibiting at times, though it’s far more often a blessing than a curse. Let the stars be stars. Ingles will fill in where he can to make their lives simpler.” – Sports Illustrated

He is entering his 6th season in the league, all with the Jazz.

Joe Ingles is a SAVAGE.

Jazz rollin' heading into the half. pic.twitter.com/nqw6m9cTzg

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 24, 2018

The Jazz small forward’s talent has been on display both individually and as a playmaker for his country squad. Ingles has led Australia to the bronze medal of the 2019 FIBA World Cup this offseason.

No. 52 Bojan Bogdanović – ‘Not Just A Shooter’

Bogdanović came in at 52nd on SI’s list. He brings to Utah both scoring and shooting that the Jazz hasn’t had at the forward position during Quin Snyder’s tenure as head coach. The forward holds a career average of 13.3 points per game but averaged 18.0 PPG last season. The Jazz are getting the stretch forward at the peak of NBA career.

The new Jazzman also holds career averages of 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 0.6 steals per game.

“The fact that Bogdanović can run a pick-and-roll gives him added appeal as a secondary creator, perfect for when another star is crowded or doubled.” – Sports Illustrated

The Jazz forward is entering his 8th NBA season. 2019-20 will be his first year with Utah. He joined the Jazz via free agency in July 2019.

It’s official!

Jazz fans: Welcome Bojan Bogdanovic to the team ⤵️

» https://t.co/pWylevPFSo pic.twitter.com/EEn1NgJvZC

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) July 8, 2019

Bogdanović took a primary scoring role with the Pacers last season due to injury but “he’s more comfortably cast in the kind of supporting role he’ll find in Utah,” said Sports Illustrated.

No. 29 Donovan Mitchell – ‘One Of The NBA’s Premier Drivers’

Mitchell was ranked as the league’s 29th best player for 2020. After an impressive rookie campaign in 2017-18, the Jazz guard continued to improve in his sophomore season. Mitchell’s scoring increased from 20.5 points per game in his first year to 23.8 PPG last year.

“You can slow Mitchell down, but it takes a village: the right perimeter defenders, the right rim protectors, and the right peripheral coverage to make him feel like the walls are closing in.”

The Jazzman holds career averages of 22.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.

Spida is entering his 3rd NBA season and has been participating with Team USA in the World Cup this summer.

Donovan Mitchell 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/RcHn2cehR6

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) September 9, 2019

Mitchell has been impressive in his first international experience. Spida is the second leading scorer for Team USA with 12.7 points per game.

“Donovan Mitchell’s hesitation move is a masterclass in persuasion,” said Sports Illustrated. “At the front of the defender’s mind is the knowledge that Mitchell, one of the NBA’s premier drivers, wants nothing more than to get to the basket.”

Mitchell owns the highest individual scoring game for the US with 29 points in a loss to France.

He has averaged 4.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists in the World Cup.

No. 26 Mike Conley – ‘An All-NBA Worthy Guard’

Conley came in a few spots ahead of Mitchell at number 26. While he’s never been an NBA All-Star during his career, the veteran guard has been considered one of the best players in the game. The new Jazz guard holds career stats of 14.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.

“Conley knows how to run a team, from the nuts and bolts to its beating heart.” – Sports Illustrated

Conley joined the Jazz via trade after spending the first 12 years of his career with the Memphis Grizzlies. Jazz fans have reason to be optimistic that Conley is an upgrade at the point guard position over Ricky Rubio who is now a member of the Phoenix Suns.

The former Grizzlies leader is coming to Utah after having the best offensive season of his NBA career. In 2018-19, Conley averaged 21.1 points per game. Rubio posted 12.7 PPG for the Jazz last season.

Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley Jr. are already building that teammate chemistry 🏀

(via @ChrisJHoops, @swishcultures_) pic.twitter.com/RJjHBu8bff

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 25, 2019

“You’d be forgiven if you didn’t catch much of the 33-49 Grizzlies last season, so long as you don’t let what was out of sight fall out of mind,” said Sports Illustrated. “Mike Conley is far too good for that—an All-NBA-worthy guard who actually dragged Memphis to a slight winning margin during his time on the floor last season. Necessity drove Conley to his highest-scoring season to date.”

The upcoming season “might be the first time that Conley goes to work with any real, consistent spacing,” according to Sports Illustrated.

14. Rudy Gobert – ‘The Game’s Best Rim Protector’

Gobert was the highest-ranked Jazz player at number 14. The Jazz center has improved statistically in each of his NBA seasons. While he’s known as a defensive force in the game, Gobert’s offense has been impressive as well. Gobert has increased his scoring per game every season of his career and posted 15.9 points last year.

The French Rejection has been honored as the league’s best defender each of the past two seasons. Although he had better statistics and team-record last year, Gobert was overshadowed by others for an All-Star selection. If Gobert can continue to increase his production like he has every year, 2019-20 may be the year Gobzilla gets All-Star recognition.

“Opposing guards would turn to exaggerated step-backs to loft the ball over his 9’7’’ reach,” Sports Illustrated said. “Some resorted to tough angles that never had much chance. Even if you beat Gobert with some initial move, it’s hard to fire up a shot freely when a giant is set to float back into frame at any moment.”

The two-time Defensive Player of the Year is entering his 7th season in the league, all with the Jazz.

“There will always be pressure on Gobert to adapt to the needs of a series, but no big this smart and this competitive goes quietly.” – Sports Illustrated

The Stifle Tower led France to a win over Team USA in the quarterfinals of the 2019 FIBA World Cup on September 11.

Rudy Gobert (21 PTS, 16 REB) & Evan Fournier (22 PTS) were huge for France as they defeated Team USA in the quarter-finals of the #FIBAWC 🇫🇷 #FranceGotGame pic.twitter.com/UpffNnPVg9

— NBA UK (@NBAUK) September 12, 2019

Gobert has been dominant throughout the World Cup. He has been a leader in blocks and rebounds in the tournament leading France to the bronze medal game.

Other players with ties to Utah

Lakers forward and former Utah Utes player, Kyle Kuzma snuck into the top 100 at number 96.

He is a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. Kuzma played for the Utes from 2014-2017. Kuzma left Utah with one year of college eligibility and entered the 2017 NBA Draft. He was selected with the 27th overall pick.

Former Jazz guard, Ricky Rubio was placed at 73rd. Rubio now plays for the Phoenix Suns.

He was a member of the Jazz from 2017-2019. Rubio came to Utah via trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017. He spent the first few years of his NBA career with the Wolves after being selected by them in the 2009 draft with the 5th overall pick.

“[Utah was] in this position a few years ago and he was able to make those guys better.

I know he has the ability to do the same and more here.”

-Coach Williams on Ricky Rubiohttps://t.co/wGIy0eTUtg

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) July 23, 2019

The former Jazz point guard has been a key contributor for Spain in the 2019 World Cup. Spain will play for the gold medal on Sunday, September 15 at 4 a.m. (MDT). The game will be on ESPN2.

Former Jazz guard/former, Gordon Hayward came in at 59th.

Hayward is currently a member of the Boston Celtics. He was a member of the Jazz from 2010-2017. Hayward was selected 9th overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2010 NBA Draft. He signed with the Celtics as a free agent in 2017.

Former Jazz forward/center, Derrick Favors was ranked as the 55th best player.

The fan-favorite was traded by the Jazz to the New Orleans Pelicans in the summer of 2019. Favors was a member of the Jazz from 2011-2019. He originally came to the Jazz in 2011 via trade from the New Jersey Nets. Favors was drafted by the Nets with the 3rd overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.

Official: The #Pelicans have acquired Derrick Favors from the Jazz in exchange for a 2021 and 2023 second-round draft pick, originally acquired from the Warriors pic.twitter.com/ZvbVSoZ2F5

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) July 7, 2019

Former Jazz forward, Paul Millsap was the highest-rated former Jazzman. Millsap was listed at number 43.

He currently plays for the Denver Nuggets. He was a member of the Jazz from 2006-2013. Millsap was selected by the Jazz in the 2nd round of the 2006 NBA Draft. He left Utah and signed with the Atlanta Hawks as a free agent in 2013.

Today kicks off SI’s countdown of the top 100 players for the 2019-20 season: https://t.co/EvgYI9eH1U pic.twitter.com/vP8YbtdzaS

— Rob Mahoney (@RobMahoney) September 9, 2019