10 Hot Takes & Predictions on the Utah Jazz After 25-ish Games
By Ryan Aston
10) Joe Ingles Should Keep His Spot When Alec Burks Returns
Joe Ingles’ career with the Utah Jazz so far is one of the league’s ultimate unlikely success stories. Once a training camp castaway from the Los Angeles Clippers, Ingles landed in the 801 and was quickly thrust into the starting lineup thanks in large part to an Alec Burks injury.
In the ensuing years, Ingles has capitalized on his opportunities, establishing himself as that gritty, blue-collar player and savvy vet that every locker room needs.
This season, Ingles was expected to see a reduced role on an overhauled Jazz roster. However, Burks’ injury has kept the door open for the Aussie. In response, he’s played some of his best basketball and been a key factor in multiple Jazz wins.
For the season, he’s averaging a career-best 6.4 points per game and currently tops the NBA in three-point shooting at an incredible 50.8 percent. Looking beyond that stats, though, Ingles just makes things jell for the Jazz on the court.
Even if Burks returns, Slow-Mo Joe should be allowed to keep doing so. We’re all enamored those Houdini moves, but Ingles has earned a spot ahead of him.
Next: No. 9