2016 NBA Predictions: A look at each team in the league

Oct 18, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) talk during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) talk during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Utah Jazz

Oct 19, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Shelvin Mack (8) dribbles the ball as Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) defends during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Trail Blazers won 88-84. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Shelvin Mack (8) dribbles the ball as Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) defends during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Trail Blazers won 88-84. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Utah deserves some serious credit as the next up-and-coming team that will take the NBA by storm sooner than later.

A team that barely missed out on the postseason last year will only come back stronger and more determined.

They won’t be the best in their division, but that’s only because they’ve got great company in Portland and Oklahoma City that they have yet to be on the same level as.

But that’s okay.

Rodney Hood and Rudy Gobert are going to get some veteran help thanks to the additions of George Hill and Joe Johnson.

Both Hill and Johnson are playoff tested veterans that joined the Jazz knowing that the team needed players with a veteran’s perspective.

Mix that with the raw young talent they’ve got and the underdog feel that comes with them and you’ve got a dangerous team that nobody’s watching.

Even ESPN thinks that Utah will be a sleeper team, as listed in their 30 bold predictions for the upcoming season.

After missing out a year ago, the Jazz will storm back and claim the fifth seed in the Western Conference playoff picture.

Season Prediction: (50-32), 3rd in Northwest