The Utah Jazz are a competitive team in the NBA for the first time in 7 years. Since the Jazz traded stars Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer they have struggled to make the playoffs. However, after building through the draft with players such as Gordon Hayward, Rudy Gobert, and Rodney Hood, the Jazz are finally ready to make a statement in the Western Conference. While those three highlight a list of drafted stars, the Jazz got help from a few veteran players this offseason.

“The new players they picked up which is Joe Johnson, Boris Diaw, and all the new players that have helped the team out,” senior Nick Burnett said.

This year, under head coach Quin Snyder, the Jazz are on track to win 50 games for the first time since the 2009-10 season despite rough circumstances at the start of the year.

“I think they’ve battled from so many injuries,” senior Mitch Meyer said. “Now they finally have a good team and they’re playing solid.”

Their ability to win games through injuries can be credited to the defensive play of Rudy Gobert, Joe Ingles, and George Hill. Since Snyder was hired the Jazz have made their defensive presence a focus.

“I’ve been impressed with their defense,” senior Dallin Kitchen said. “They’ve been one of the best defenses in the league.”

    Overall the Jazz are making new strides in the NBA and hope to be able to compete in the NBA finals in the coming years.