The next OKC Thunder? The Utah Jazz.

Kevin Durant, a couple days after being drafted

                      It has now been five years since Kevin Durant’s name was announced as the second pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, that same young man has now made a finals appearance.  The Utah Jazz are on the same course the Thunder were on not long ago, in fact they are just a few steps behind.  Utah has created a very sturdy foundation the same way as the Thunder did just half a decade ago. 

Derrick Favors has defense down but needs to work on his offense

                      The Thunder’s foundation was created off of: Kevin Durant, pick 2 in the 2007 NBA Draft, Russell Westbrook, pick 4 in the 2008 NBA Draft, Surge Ibaka, pick 24 in the 2008 NBA Draft, and James Harden, pick 3 in the 2009 NBA draft.  The Jazz have now done the same thing with: Derrick Favors, pick 3 in the 2010 NBA Draft, Gordon Hayward, pick 9 in the 2010 NBA Draft, Enes Kanter, pick 3 in the 2011 NBA Draft, and Alec Burks, pick 12 in the 2011 NBA Draft.

                       Also for both teams the talent does not lie, who wouldn’t want to make their team from a group of lottery picks?  You get the talent and the chemistry formed early.  I also noticed that both teams started outside of the playoffs, grew to make the playoffs, and if you look at what the Thunder have done, the Jazz are on track for a good little run in a couple of years.

                       I read in an article that:

Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors could
very well create a dynasty here in utah.

"Several analysts have explained that, even though the teams have had their struggles, the fan support in their respective cities is unparalleled. Their fan support is unparalleled because, rather simply, there’s no one else there to cheer for.  Fans in the Salt Lake City and Oklahoma City (even collectively the Utah and Oklahoma) areas, can pledge their full allegiance to a single, hometown team. For example: when the Thunder’s record reflected a 3-29 start in their first season in OKC, the Chesapeake Energy Arena continued to sell tickets and fill seats.  Again, when the Jazz traded Deron Williams and coach Jerry Sloan resigned in 2011, fans’ morale and encouragement never wavered.  The devotion and unheralded support of fans is an undeniable similarity between the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder.  It’s also a strong basis to build on.”

                       And that is exactly the basis that the Jazz need to become championship worthy.

                       It is undoubted that the Utah Jazz with minor roster tweaks and chemistry strengthened, could, in a couple of years, be conteding for a title.