A panel of SCH writers usher in the Jazz season with a quick discussion around key players, big improvements, and Utah’s early schedule slog.

Questions asked were:

• Who will be the Jazz’s most valuable player this season?

• Which Jazz player is poised to make the biggest step forward in terms of development?

• Who’s somebody whose minutes will be squeezed and who won’t have as big a role as he otherwise might?

• What game in the early part of the Jazz’s schedule are you most looking forward to?

Steve: The Golden State game is a no-brainer, but I’m more curious to see how the Jazz matchup against the Rockets in Houston (October 24). Before the Jazz can be seen as a threat to the Warriors, they first need to overcome the team that defeated them last spring. Houston lost defense and depth but added Carmelo Anthony and retained the back-breaking backcourt of Chris Paul and James Harden. The Jazz stood pat. Are they inching closer to Houston’s tier? Could they overtake them for a second or third seed? An early test could give us a few clues.

• Predict the Jazz’s record over their seven October games?

To read each writer’s opinions on the above questions, head to SaltCityHoops.com to check out the staff scrimmage.