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The Utah Jazz have won eleven games in a row. Yes, eleven. They have played like one of the best teams in the NBA during the last month plus, and have dismantled some of the league’s top teams.
The eleven-game winning streak is tied for the fourth-longest in Jazz franchise history. The all-time record for most games won in a row is 15, set by the 1996 squad led by none other than legends John Stockton and Karl Malone. Just four wins separate this year’s team from reaching that incredible milestone. At the start of January, most of us would have thought it was impossible for the Jazz to string together three wins in a row, let alone 11. Now they sit with a *chance* to string together a few more, and break a 20-year-old record.
According to 538, the Jazz are projected to win their next six games, which would extend the streak to 17, good for the franchise record.
538's projections of Jazz schedule for rest of the season:
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) February 21, 2018
Projected Wins: v. POR, v. DAL, v. HOU, v. MIN, @ SAC, v. ORL, @ MEM, v. DET, v. PHX, v. SAC, v. ATL, @ DAL, v. BOS, v. MEM, v. LAL, v. LAC, @ LAL, v. GSW
Projected Losses: @ IND, @ NOP, @ SAS, @ GSW, @ MIN, @ POR
Just the fact that the Jazz are favored to beat Houston is pretty incredible. This team has clawed, scraped, and battled their way back into the playoff conversation, and the league is taking note. With the way the Jazz have played during this streak, it’s not insane to say they might actually beat Houston at home. But they will need to keep the same mindset as they have during the last eleven games, and that is taking it one game at a time. Portland’s next baby.
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Donovan Mitchell is a lot of things. He’s proven himself to be smart, humble, insightful, fun, thoughtful, funny, and incredibly good at basketball, to name just a few. Most recently, another quality that Donovan MItchell has displayed, is loyalty.
Amid the recent developements of the huge scandal that occured with University of Louisville’s basketball team, Donovan Mitchell has backed the organazation and it’s players. Louisville was stripped of all wins from a mutli-year period, including their 2013 NCAA National Championship.
Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell continues to stand behind his alma mater, the University of Louisville, amid the turmoil. The 2013 title was recently stripped by the NCAA. “The biggest thing was just having my guys back,” Mitchell said. pic.twitter.com/7f3sQHM5hg
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) February 22, 2018
Only right I rock these for the next game pic.twitter.com/e1bhFKjaYL
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) February 21, 2018
You might have your own opinion on the collegiate scandal and recruting violations, and that’s fine. But seeing Donovan Mitchell stick up for his friends is pretty cool. He has shown that he’s loyal, even during times of pressure and controversy, which is a good sign for a franchise player.
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Speaking of loyalty, this is a common topic of coversation among Jazz fans regarding Donovan Mitchell. After Gordon Hayward’s departure, it’s natural for fans to feel a bit of anxiety about seeing another beloved player leave in free agency. However, If it hasn’t already presented itself a million times; Donovon Mitchell is not Gordon Hayward. His situation is entirely different, given his rapid burst in his NBA progression as opposed to Haywards six-year developement. But still, it is a legitamate hypothetical worry. Even outside of “small-market” Utah, you just never know when your favorite player might up and leave your beloved franchise. It’s just how things are in 2018 in the NBA.
This tidbit of tweet was an intersting sign of hope, not that we should even be thinking about that right now, but take it for what it is.
From what I know about Donovan from team sources, I'd say it's extremely unlikely he would leave. More likely he will draw a premier talent to Utah.
— Bill Ingram (@TheRocketGuy) February 20, 2018
My personal take: just enjoy Donovan Mitchell right now. He’s so friggin incredible.
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TAKE ALL MY MONEY
JUST RELEASED: @spidadmitchell 2018 @NBAAllStar Slam Dunk Champion T-Shirt https://t.co/6ELLapw8wQ pic.twitter.com/sXoERhCZFO
— NBA Store (@NBASTORE) February 21, 2018
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I really hate to leave y’all with bad news, but well, sometimes that’s just how life is.
Ricky Rubio did not practice with the Jazz today, is still getting treatment on his hip.
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) February 22, 2018
Ricky Rubio’s hips do not lie. And unfortunately is appears that this injury is more serious that we had hoped. I have two good hips, I really don’t need both of them do I? How soon can I donate my hip to Ricky Rubio? How good of a life can one live with just one hip? I’m willing to risk it all in the name of Ricky Rubio. Get better Ricky, we miss you on the court brother.