So which is it? Coaching or talent?

[Jommybone]

So the Jazz have less talent than the Mavs? Or worse coaching than the Mavs? What makes them "bad"?

Like the question but not sure I have an answer. My post you quoted did not mean to project confidence in the opinion. I’m just fearful that’s the answer. Right now, it looks to me like the Mavs can get open 3s at will, while the Jazz can’t even stay close by shooting 57% from the field. That’s a recipe for a 4-1 series even without Luka. 

The Jazz are 24-24 since New Year’s after a 26-9 start. They’ve now won 5 of their last 14. Their problems are not new. 

Donovan Mitchell doesn’t play much defense and isn’t efficient on offense. Rudy Gobert can’t switch onto guards and can’t punish small-ball defenders on the other end. Clarkson and Bogdanovic have impressed. But neither is a defensive stalwart. Father Time has turned Conley into just another guy. It’s not a good roster. 

Let’s ask which of the Mavs players could start for Utah. Luka? Duh. Jalen? No doubt now, in Conley’s spot. DFS? Yep, in place of Royce. As would Maxi and probably Reg. Does Utah have 5 guys who would start for the Mavs? I can only get to 3. And that’s counting Rudy, who’d have to sit for most of the playoffs. 

I don’t fault Utah coaching. Not going after the right Mavs defenders? Heck, his guys just made 57% of their FGs and 94% of 33 FTs. Offense isn’t the problem. The problem is they can’t defend 5 out with that roster. I see no fix for that. And I’m expecting a 4-1 series regardless of when Luka returns. Because Utah is a very flawed team. Not a good one.

Now that I’ve put my thoughts in writing, I assume the Jazz will have an amazing game 4 and make me look silly. It happens a lot in basketball. (Can’t control what the ball do. Crazy, man. Y’all hilarious.)