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If sample size is any indication, the Utah Jazz are on their way to becoming one of the NBA's best defensive teams.
That doesn't mean Utah can rest on its laurels. This week — after three opening games on the road — the Jazz have been working on being better offensively. Coach Quin Snyder said he'd like to see better pace and execution when his team gets into their sets, something he felt has been lacking a bit.
To this point, a stout defense has been the driving force behind the first few wins of the season.
Now, Utah wants to become more well-rounded.
"I know that we think it can definitely improve," Jazz point guard Trey Burke said. "I think in the first week our defense has allowed us to get a lead. We've been playing off of our defense. I think we know that we have to be sharper and more precise and execute better."
The Jazz have yet to score 100 points in a game through the first four games of the season. Part of that is due to pace; the Jazz are statistically one of the slower teams in the league.
But Utah hasn't shot the ball particularly well, either. The Jazz struggled mightily in their season-opening loss to the Detroit Pistons, shooting 46 percent from the field overall.
Forcing turnovers have led to easy baskets. But Utah wants to be better overall in halfcourt sets.
"I think you always want to see better offensive execution," Snyder said. "It's not that we aren't trying to play good offense, but there's a realism to where we are at this point. We're trying to integrate Alec (Burks) and Rodney (Hood) into bigger roles, so a lot of things are going into it. I think as the season progresses, we'll pick up continuity, and we'll be able to find out better who we are."
Close call
Derrick Favors played and started against the Trail Blazers Wednesday, a day after missing practice with flu-like symptoms. He also missed Wednesday morning's team shootaround. He arrived at Vivint Smart Home Arena a few hours before the game, went through his normal routine and pronounced himself fit to play.
Fundamental change
Wednesday's matchup against Portland represented a challenge for the Jazz. In Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, Utah went up against a premier backcourt for the first time this season. Lillard and McCollum ended up combining for 62 points.
"It's always fun to go up against those guys," Burke said. "I've been playing against them for three years and they present a lot of problems. They're scoring the majority of their points. They compete at a high level."
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