UTAH JAZZ

Magic Johnson Says Jazz Are Contenders

Feb 16, 2021, 2:39 PM
Magic Johnson (Photo: Ben Anderson/KSL Sports)...
Magic Johnson (Photo: Ben Anderson/KSL Sports)
(Photo: Ben Anderson/KSL Sports)

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – With the best record in the NBA, and a slew of players up for end-of-season awards, the Utah Jazz are rapidly turning heads across the league. Hall of Famer and one of the greatest players in NBA history Magic Johnson is one of the latest to join the chorus singing the Jazz praise.

On Tuesday, Johnson took to Twitter to endorse the Jazz, citing their star-laden backcourt, dominant defense, and shooting.

“The Utah Jazz have everything you need to go to the NBA Finals…” Magic tweeted. “Great guard play by Mike Conley & superstar Donovan Mitchell, dominate defense led by Rudy Gobert & Royce O’Neale, they are one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the league led by Joe Ingles & Bojan Bogdanovic.”

The Jazz sit at 23-5 on the season, have won eight games in a row, and 19 of their last 20 dating back to January 8. The Jazz lead Magic’s former Los Angeles Lakers team by two games in the Western Conference standings, and the Los Angeles Clippers by 2.5 games.

The team more than passes the proverbial eye-test when it comes to their rankings. The Jazz own the league’s fourth-best offensive rating at 116.6 and the second-best defensive rating at 107.4. They are the only team to rank in the top five of both categories.

Magic’s praise for the Jazz didn’t end with their starting lineup. The NBA legend also mentioned the team’s depth and coaching as a reason for their success.

“AND the best solid bench play led by Sixth Man of the Year favorite Jordan Clarkson,” Magic tweeted. “They are coached by one of my favorite coaches, one of the best basketball minds, and players love playing for him, Quin Snyder.”

Clarkson leads all bench scorers in the NBA at 18.2 points per game and is the favorite to win the Sixth Man of the Year award. Meanwhile, Snyder is set to be named the coach of the Western Conference All-Star team by way of leading the Jazz to the best record in the West.

  • Utah Jazz Scoreboard

  • Utah Jazz Team Leaders

  • Utah Jazz Standings

Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz guard Kris Dunn (11) high fives a teammate during an NBA game...
Ben Anderson

Markkanen, Dunn Share New Outlook On Careers In Utah

Lauri Markkanen and Kris Dunn have found new perspectives and success in their careers as members of the Utah Jazz.
2 days ago
Utah Jazz guard Ochai Agbaji (30) reacts during an NBA game against the Sacramento Kings...
Ben Anderson

Agbaji Career-High Lifts Jazz Over Kings

Ochai Agbaji scored a career-high 27 points as the Utah Jazz outlasted the Sacramento Kings 128-120 at home.
3 days ago
Utah Jazz center Kelly Olynyk...
Ben Anderson

Agbaji, Olynyk Carry Jazz Past Kings

The Utah Jazz blew a 25 point first half lead, but still held on to beat the Sacramento Kings 128-120 at home.
3 days ago
Utah Jazz center Udoka Azbuike dunks (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)...
Brian Preece

Udoka Azubuike Having Big Night, Utah Jazz Fighting Sacramento Late

Utah Jazz center Udoka Azubuike is taking advantage of his opportunity, scoring a career-high 13 points as the Jazz battled Sacramento.
3 days ago
Rudy Gay #22 of the Utah Jazz reacts to a call while taking on the Dallas Mavericks...
Brian Preece

Rudy Gay Turns Back The Clock With Dunk As Jazz Hang On Against Kings

36-year-old Rudy Gay looked ten years younger as he drove past the Sacramento Kings defense for a third-quarter dunk.
3 days ago
Kris-Dunn-Utah-Jazz-NBA...
Brian Preece

Utah Jazz Guard Kris Dunn Throws Down Dunk Against Sacramento

The Jazz took advantage of Sacramento's porous defense all half long, with Kris Dunn benefitting with a second-quarter slam.
3 days ago

Sponsored Articles

High angle view of the beautiful Rose Bowl Stadium...
KSL Digital Sales

How to Prepare for the 2023 Rose Bowl

Everything you need to know to plan your 2023 Rose Bowl trip in Pasadena, California. This year, the Utes will face Penn State.
Jordan-Clarkson-Utah-Jazz...
KSL Digital Sales

Notable Moments From The Utah Jazz Season… So Far

At the beginning of the season, the Utah Jazz were second to last. Now they rank in the top 10 teams in the Western Conference.
Football soccer ball on grass field on stadium...
KSL Digital Sales

Everything You Need to Know to Watch the 2022 World Cup

Find out where and when to watch the upcoming games and final match for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, including where to find live updates.
ksl sports logos...
KSL Sports

KSL Sports Newsletter: Sign Up Now

Sign up today for the KSL Sports newsletter. Get the latest Utah sports news delivered to your inbox.
jimmy-buffett-tour-art...
KSL Sports

Win Tickets Wednesday: Jimmy Buffett

Get your Hawaiian shirts ready.
Iron Maiden tour...
KSL Sports

Win Tickets Wednesday: Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden returns to Utah in 2022 with The Legacy of the Beast tour.
Magic Johnson Says Jazz Are Contenders