Jazz vs. Mavericks Preview: Utah faces Luka Doncic and the West Champs in the preseason

Preseason is a strange time for sports. The games have no consequences beyond simple preparation for the coming season. Very few will remember the results of these games (except you idiots out there), and the stakes are imperceptibly low – especially for the Utah Jazz.

But isn't that exactly what's fun about it?

For a Utah team whose season goal revolves around player development and a youth revolution, playing time won't always be evenly distributed between each player's scores, but preseason is the time to see what's on this team and which players can move up the depth chart to secure a legitimate role.

Freshmen, sophomores and whatever Johnny Juzang is will all be looking to make a splash in the preseason, and in a matchup against a championship contender like Dallas, we could see some extra fire in the eyes of these rising stars.

Utah is currently a perfect 2-0 in the preseason (don't get used to it) with wins over the New Zealand breakers– former home of OKC’s Ousmane Dieng, if that means anything to you – and the Houston Rockets– former home of LAC’s Kevin Porter Jr., who I’m sure we’d all like to forget.

But I think I got a little off track there. Jazz basketball? Jazz basketball.

As you watch this Western Conference clash, here are some headlines to watch out for as the Jazz set a collision course for Dallas.

Outstanding preseason highlights

Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Johnny Juzang must have spent his offseason trying to be there Spider-Man in Civil War School “Where did he come from?” because he made a leap from last season to this one. He was 100% from the floor against the Breakers and was a major factor in Utah's victory. If he can contribute consistently, his minutes will increase during the regular season.

Isaiah Collier has looked comfortable so far, and fellow rookie Cody Williams could continue to show signs of what Utah expects from him this season.

Do you like Lauri Markkanen? Of course you do, he's the only 7-footer you've ever seen on skates. Whenever he takes the floor, it's obvious that no one in this squad compares to the Finn. Keep an eye on Lauri as he just keeps getting better.

Player development showcase

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We all want Taylor Hendricks to be great, right? This year he has a chance to show noticeable improvement and his defense has been outstanding in two preseason games. Dallas has some serious offensive firepower with Doncic, Irving and Lively (as long as he rolls to the rim), and while that's probably bad news for the Jazz, Hendricks' defensive performance could shine in this game.

Keyonte had an inconsistent rookie season, but he showed signs of stardom in Summer League and the preseason. He still has a lot of growth ahead of him, but his swagger and audacious scoring could produce some fireworks.

The rookies and sophomores filling out the depth chart should get plenty of attention, and the guards in particular should have an entertaining night as the Doncic-Irving tandem isn't exactly a brick wall on defense.

Light the tank

Photo by ANTTI AIMO-KOIVISTO/Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images

Similar to that Spanish Inquisitionno one expects tanking to begin during the preseason. Now that an opponent is ready to line up on the opposite bench, the Jazz can roll out the red carpet for their bench players. Let the youngsters run around on an NBA floor and it might remind you of a Chuck E. Cheese playground – it's all chaos, but at least the kids are having fun.

Expect Will Hardy to experiment with lineups, rotations and player combinations. I'm trying everything possible to find answers to questions such as: which player is the best fit for Filipowski, where on the field can we maximize Kessler's performance, is Juzang young enough to play with these kids or is he getting closer this difficult threshold that he may still be at a bit? Too old for trick-or-treating?

With condolences to those who want the Jazz to remain competitive this year, the tank is on and on the whiteboard in the Utah locker room there is only one explanation: Capture the Flagg!

Don't expect a world-beating performance from Utah tonight – the L's are about to start piling up.