Utah Jazz: One goal for every Jazzman in 2018-19

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JULY 5: Royce O’Neale #23 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game between Utah Jazz and Atlanta Hawks on July 5, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Royce O’Neale – Solidify the “3” in his potential “3-and-D” title

In today’s NBA, so-called “3-and-D” players are among the most valuable pieces a team can have on their roster. Formerly an unknown and undrafted player, Royce O’Neale carved out a nice nitch with the Jazz as a bona fide rotation player worthy of heavy minutes with the potential to become one of those 3-and-D studs.

The only problem – while O’Neale was an extraordinary defender, he didn’t exactly get the “3” part down as he shot just 35.6 percent from deep. That’s not a horrible mark by any means, but there’s certainly room for improvement. O’Neale did get hot at times and this mark was hurt by a slump he went through all during the month of March, but to say he’s a sharpshooter is still inaccurate.

In the postseason, he went a nearly identical 35.7 percent from deep which, again, wasn’t bad, but wasn’t where Utah needed it, especially if they hoped to overcome a tough Houston team.

O’Neale was one of the biggest surprises of 2017-18 and deserves to be praised far more than to be criticized for his efforts. However, if he is to take a leap and help his Jazz team improve as well, it’s vital that he convert himself into more of a 3-point weapon.

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