This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Tribune Jazz beat reporter Tony Jones will answer readers' questions in a Twitter mailbag each week. You can submit questions using the hashtag #TonyTalks. Here is the this week's questions.
#TonyTalks What is the Jazz timeline to championship team..2,3,4,5, year plan? Asking for my emotionally sensitive loyal Jazz fan friend.
— ERIK (@ErikKubina) March 6, 2017
Tony's reply • Utah's plan is to keep rising through the Western Conference while others are seeing windows close.
I think you already can see that with the Jazz and the Clippers. The Jazz are attempting to beat out Los Angeles for the fourth spot and home-court advantage in the first round.
The Jazz have upside. Gordon Hayward is 26. while Rudy Gobert and Rodney Hood are 24. Dante Exum and Trey Lyles are 21. Derrick Favors is 25.
The Jazz have two first-round picks this year and likely two first-rounders next year.
Gobert is one of the three best centers and overall defenders in the league, and I think free agents will want to play with someone like him.
There may not be a specific plan in terms of years, but this team doesn't look to be at its peak.
@tribjazz Who do you think would be the best matchup for the Jazz in the first round? LAC, MEM, OKC? #TonyTalks
— Scott Lambert (@ScottLambert21) March 6, 2017
Tony's reply • I think all three matchups would be difficult for the Jazz.
The Jazz have trouble beating the Clippers. The Grizzlies are so much like the Jazz and have one of the few players in the league in Marc Gasol, who is kryptonite to Gobert.
OKC is a problem because Russell Westbrook is so dominant, and the Thunder are so physical.
If I had to pick one, I'd probably go with the Thunder. But make no mistake, all three of those matchups would be extremely difficult for the Jazz in a playoff series.
Who has a better shot of making all-NBA and why, Gordon or Rudy #tonytalks
— Taylor Borget (@Borget21) March 6, 2017
Tony's reply • I long have thought Gobert has a better shot at all-NBA than he had of making the all-star team.
The all-star team was difficult because of the lack of a defined center role. That role is defined in all-NBA, and I think Gobert has been one of the three best centers in the league.
More importantly, I think Gobert is coming up with signature moments and performances in the second half of the season. He had the game-winner in Sacramento. He dominated DeMarcus Cousins on Monday night. He's improved as the season has progressed.
Hayward has a shot, but he has more competition for a spot than Gobert. For that reason alone, I think Gobert has a better shot.
@tribjazz #tonytalks Who's the nicest NBA player you've ever met/ interviewed?
— DONALD (@djtischner) March 6, 2017
Tony's reply • I've dealt with a lot of NBA players. The nicest — hands down — is Jeremy Evans.
He's one of the best and most humble people I've encountered — NBA player or not.
He's the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back if needed. The league needs more people like Jeremy Evans.
@tribjazz Oops. Over the last part of the season, what do the Jazz most need to work on to get ready for the playoffs? #TonyTalks
— Russ Melrose (@RussMelrose) March 6, 2017
Tony's reply • Quin Snyder said he wanted to see more consistency out of his team. I think that's the single biggest thing.
The Jazz are 40-24 but haven't gone on a season-defining winning streak yet. Time is running out to do so, and the schedule is difficult.
If the Jazz hold on to the fourth spot in the West, they will have earned it.
So the one thing needed in the last 18 games is consistency in the level of play.