Last season the Jazz entered the playoffs as the eighth seed before being swept by the San Antonio Spurs. Utah went 36-30 in the lockout shortened season, but weren't ready to play against the better squads in the West.
In the offseason the Jazz brought back one of their former draft picks Mo Williams via a trade. Williams is a former 2009 All-Star player, who will provide the Jazz with a strong outside shooting. He is replacing the jettisoned Devin Harris.
Utah's starting lineup should consist of Mo Williams, Gordon Hayward, Marvin Williams, Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson. The reserves for the Jazz will be Derrick Favors, Randy Foye, Chris Quinn, Darnell Jackson, Kevin Murphy, Enes Kanter and Alec Burks.
Millsap and Jefferson are very similar players, but some how they work well together. Jefferson led the team in scoring with 19.2 points and 9.6 rebounds per game last season. Millsap was just behind him with 16.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
Behind Millsap and Jefferson are to promising young players in Favors and Kanter. They should get their minutes in and provide the starters with rest during key moments.
According to NBA 2K13, The Jazz take a step backwards this season and do not make the playoff for only the second time in the last seven seasons. Center Al Jefferson only plays in 45 games this season missing time due to several injuries such as straining his abdomen and separating his shoulder. Favors starts the season playing well but injuries his knee and is out 6 to 8 months
Jefferson does make his first All-Star appearance this season and Mo Williams wins the three-point contest during the festivities of the event. The Jazz main problem for 2012-13 season is defense. Utah ranks twenty-third in points allowed per game and give up an average of 104 points per game to their opponents.
Here is how the game simulates the Utah's season:
Regular Season Record: 34-48 Tenth in the Western Conference
Top scorers: PG Mo Williams 15.2 PPG, PF Paul Millsap 18.1 PPG, C Al Jefferson 22.4 PPG
Leading rebounders: PF Derrick Favors 5.9 RPG, PF Paul Millsap 9.0 RPG, C Al Jefferson 9.3 RPG
Assist Leader: SG Gordon Hayward 2.4 APG, SG Randy Foye 3.9 APG, PG Mo Williams 6.7 APG
Playoff Opponents
Round 1: Did not qualify
Round 2: Did not qualify
Conference Finals: Did not qualify
NBA Finals: Did not qualify
You can check out our review of the game here and read about Jeremy Lin's player rating here.
Check out our other NBA 2K13 team previews:
Miami Heat
Oklahoma City Thunder
San Antonio Spurs
Boston Celtics
Los Angeles Lakers
Philadelphia 76ers
New York Knicks
Brooklyn Nets
Chicago Bulls
Los Angeles Clippers
Minnesota Timberwolves
Portland Trail Blazers
Cleveland Cavaliers
Washington Wizards
Denver Nuggets
Phoenix Suns
Houston Rockets
Orlando Magic
Atlanta Hawks
Memphis Grizzlies
New Orleans Hornets
Dallas Mavericks
Milwaukee Bucks
Detroit Pistons
Charlotte Bobcats
Toronto Raptors
Indiana Pacers
Golden State Warriors
Utah Jazz
