Utah Jazz 2014-15 Player Review: Williams, Benimon, Christopher, and Murry

Mar 10, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Jerrelle Benimon (22) looks to pass while defended by New York Knicks center Andrea Bargnani (77) and guard Alexey Shved (1) during the first half at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Looking back on the Utah Jazz 2014-15 season that was. 22 players logged minutes; some stepped forward, others back. Some were called up from the ether, others packed bags for alternate destinations.

Elliot Williams

Elliott Williams had an eventful 2014-15 season. He started in the D-League with the Santa Cruz Warriors before spending a few weeks with the Jazz beginning on January 7 when he was signed to a 10-day contract. He was signed to another 10-day contract on January 17. When faced with the decision to sign Williams for the remainder of the season or let him walk when the second contract expired, the Jazz chose the latter. He later had stints with the Hornets (he never played) and the Pelicans (eight games played).

2014-15 Utah Jazz Stats

5 GP, 8.4 MPG, 3.6 PPG, 0.8 APG, 0.6 RPG, 0.4 SPG, 0.0 BPG, 46% FGs, 71% 3FGs, 50% FTs, ORtg 98.3, DRtg 92.9

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Strengths

We didn’t see a lot of Williams, but when we did see him, he was usually attempting and making three-point field goals. This was evidenced by his making five of seven from long-range.

Weaknesses

When shooting from inside the three-point line, Williams shot just one for six for 17-percent.

Jerrelle Benimon

Jerrelle Benimon had an even shorter stint with the Jazz than Elliot Williams. Jerrelle was signed to a 10-day contract by the Jazz on March 6, 2015. Benimon played a total of three minutes in two games with the Jazz, who declined to offer him another contract. Benimon didn’t catch on with any other NBA teams in 2014-15.

2014-15 Season Stats

2 GP, 1.5 MPG, 0.0 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 0.0 APG, 0.0 BPG, 0.0 SPG, 0 FGA, 0 FTA, ORtg 120.0, DRtg 0.0

Strengths/Weaknesses

Let’s keep it real, three minutes isn’t enough time to see much of anything, positive or negative.

Patrick Christopher

Patrick Christopher started the season with the Iowa Energy of he D-League after being waived by the Grizzlies on October 25, 2014. After playing in seven games by the Energy, Christopher signed a non-guaranteed multi-year deal with the Jazz on December 10. Note that 10-day contracts weren’t an option yet. Patrick appeared in four games for the Jazz, and even got to start in his final game. Unfortunately, his time with the Jazz came to a disappointing end. On January 2, 2015 in a home game against the Hawks, Christopher went airborne hoping to deflect or intercept a pass intended for former Jazzman Kyle Korver. Unfortunately, not only did Christopher not disrupt the pass (which led to Korver knocking down a J), but he landed awkwardly (to put it mildly) in front of the Jazz bench. The diagnosis was a dislocated kneecap, ending Christopher’s season. With his return out of the question, the Jazz waived him on January 6, 2015.

2014-15 Season Stats

4 GP, 7.3 MPG, 1.5 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 0.0 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.0 BGP, 25% FGs, 0% 3FGs, 0 FTAs

Strengths

Christopher played hard, which is common among players called up from the D-League who are fighting to stay in the NBA. On the play he was injured on, Christopher put forth his very best effort to get in the passing lane.

Weaknesses

He didn’t play a lot, but he didn’t shoot the ball very well when he did. He made just three of his 12 FGAs, including missing all four of his 3FGAs.

Toure’ Murry

Toure’ Murry signed a two-year contract with the Jazz back in August, with the second year being non-guaranteed. Following a rookie season in which he appeared in 51 games (with 7.3 MPG) for the Knicks, Toure’ figured he would get a chance to perhaps carve out a similar role with the Jazz. However, this wasn’t the case. Murry was assigned to the Idaho Stampede of the D-League a couple of times, and even when with the Jazz, he usually wasn’t active. Murry played all of one minute and five seconds for the Jazz, on January 3, 2015, right after Patrick Christopher’s season-ending knee injury. The Jazz waived Murry the following day, even though he his contract was guaranteed for 2014-15. He would later sign a pair of 10-day contracts with the Wizards, ultimately being let go partway through the second one.

2014-15 Utah Jazz Stats

Murry missed his single field goal attempt and recorded no other stats with the Jazz.

Strengths/Weaknesses

Next section please.

Summary

Elliot Williams, Jerrelle Benimon, Patrick Christopher, and Toure’ Murry all played very small roles for the Jazz, with none of them being with the Jazz for anywhere near the entire season. Of the four, Patrick Christopher will likely be the most remembered, and unfortunately that is due to his injury. Maybe one of these guys will get another shot at the NBA and stick around. Regardless of that though, once a Jazzman, always a Jazzman. Even if you only played one minute.

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