Utah Jazz: Making the case for Joe Ingles as sixth man

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 01: Joe Ingles of the Utah Jazz poses during an NBL Media Opportunity at Cruise Bar on August 1, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 01: Joe Ingles of the Utah Jazz poses during an NBL Media Opportunity at Cruise Bar on August 1, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
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Joe Ingles three-pointer Utah Jazz
SAN ANTONIO, TX – NOVEMBER 1: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball against the San Antonio Spurs on November 1, 2016 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)

Some final thoughts…

After all that has been said, if Joe Ingles were to be the starter on opening day, it would not surprise me. He is an integral part of this team, and Quin Snyder and the coaching staff are far smarter than I am. They would have good reasoning.

The biggest counter argument for Ingles coming off the bench is that the Jazz need his shooting in the starting lineup. With Sefolosha starting, the projected lineup is Rubio, Rodney Hood, Sefolosha, Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert. The only above-average shooter in the group would be Hood.

While the team’s defense would be incredible, opponents would shrink the floor on the offensive end, closing driving lanes and limiting space for Gobert and Favors.

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Ingles starting would absolutely help Utah’s spacing early in games. Nevertheless, for the three reasons shared previously, I think the pros outweigh the cons for Ingles coming off the bench. We’ll see what happens on opening night, and regardless off the starting lineup, I trust Coach Snyder to know what is best for the team.