Magic Johnson Says Jazz Are Contenders
Feb 16, 2021, 2:39 PM
Magic Johnson (Photo: Ben Anderson/KSL Sports)
(Photo: Ben Anderson/KSL Sports)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – With the best record in the NBA, and a slew of players up for end-of-season awards, the Utah Jazz are rapidly turning heads across the league. Hall of Famer and one of the greatest players in NBA history Magic Johnson is one of the latest to join the chorus singing the Jazz praise.
On Tuesday, Johnson took to Twitter to endorse the Jazz, citing their star-laden backcourt, dominant defense, and shooting.
“The Utah Jazz have everything you need to go to the NBA Finals…” Magic tweeted. “Great guard play by Mike Conley & superstar Donovan Mitchell, dominate defense led by Rudy Gobert & Royce O’Neale, they are one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the league led by Joe Ingles & Bojan Bogdanovic.”
The Utah Jazz have everything you need to go to the NBA Finals…great guard play by Mike Conley & superstar Donovan Mitchell, dominate defense led by Rudy Gobert & Royce O'Neale, they are one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the league led by Joe Ingles & Bojan Bogdanovic
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 16, 2021
The Jazz sit at 23-5 on the season, have won eight games in a row, and 19 of their last 20 dating back to January 8. The Jazz lead Magic’s former Los Angeles Lakers team by two games in the Western Conference standings, and the Los Angeles Clippers by 2.5 games.
The team more than passes the proverbial eye-test when it comes to their rankings. The Jazz own the league’s fourth-best offensive rating at 116.6 and the second-best defensive rating at 107.4. They are the only team to rank in the top five of both categories.
Magic’s praise for the Jazz didn’t end with their starting lineup. The NBA legend also mentioned the team’s depth and coaching as a reason for their success.
“AND the best solid bench play led by Sixth Man of the Year favorite Jordan Clarkson,” Magic tweeted. “They are coached by one of my favorite coaches, one of the best basketball minds, and players love playing for him, Quin Snyder.”
AND the best solid bench play led by Sixth Man of the Year favorite Jordan Clarkson. They are coached by one of my favorite coaches, one of the best basketball minds, and players love playing for him, Quin Snyder.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 16, 2021
Clarkson leads all bench scorers in the NBA at 18.2 points per game and is the favorite to win the Sixth Man of the Year award. Meanwhile, Snyder is set to be named the coach of the Western Conference All-Star team by way of leading the Jazz to the best record in the West.
