BTBP NBA Power Rankings: December Edition
By Adam McGee
Nov 15, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) and forward Derrick Favors (15) react after defeating the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Jazz defeated the Hawks 97-96. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
16. Utah Jazz
Considering the loss of Dante Exum prior to the season and the team’s difficulty in settling on a reliable point guard option, the Utah Jazz continue to hold their own on a nightly basis. They’re really well coached and solid enough that nobody is ever going to look at their name on the schedule and feel they’re in for an easy night.
Rudy Gobert grabs much of the limelight and is continuing to grow into being one of the league’s best defensive centers, but his frontcourt mate Derrick Favors is an equally big factor. Favors continues to show why Utah was prepared to move on from Paul Millsap a couple of years ago, while with strong contributions from Gordon Hayward, Alec Burks and, as a pleasant surprise, Rodney Hood, the Jazz are a team on the up.
Next: 15. Boston Celtics