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Utah Jazz: Let’s not forget about Thabo Sefolosha’s impact

By Zachary Padmore

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: Willie Reed #35 of the LA Clippers shoots while being guarded by Thabo Sefolosha #22 of the Utah Jazz at the Staples Center on October 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: Willie Reed #35 of the LA Clippers shoots while being guarded by Thabo Sefolosha #22 of the Utah Jazz at the Staples Center on October 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /
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Conceivably forgotten due to a knee injury, Thabo Sefolosha’s impact on the court for the Utah Jazz cannot be overlooked.

When the Utah Jazz signed Thabo Sefolosha to a two-year contract last summer, they knew they’d be adding a lengthy defensive presence on the wing. However, the 34-year-old didn’t just make an impact on the defensive end; he looked good in the Jazz’s offense as well.

After losing Sefolosha for the season due to knee surgery in January, my instant thought was: “what else could go wrong?” The Jazz were sitting at 17-25, already playing without their star center Rudy Gobert,and were looking like a team that would be Draft Lottery bound.

We all know what happened next. The Jazz enjoyed a remarkable turnaround and finished the season with 48 wins, making it to the second round of the NBA Playoffs.

I’ve found myself wondering how much of an impact Sefolosha could have had on the Jazz when they were fully healthy and winning ball games. He’s just another weapon for the Jazz, and would fit very nicely next to Jae Crowder coming off the bench, in my opinion.

Both Sefolosha and Crowder have shown the ability to lock-down on the defensive end throughout their careers. They bring toughness, intensity and an edge to a Jazz team that has suddenly become a real pesky group for opposing teams.

Thabo also shot the ball very well in his first year with the Jazz, shooting 49 percent from the field overall and 38 percent from 3-point land.

With the Jazz bringing so many players back from last year’s team, the Jazz bench looks stronger than ever. Getting a healthy Sefolosha back is big, and seeing him paired with guys like Crowder, Dante Exum and Royce O’Neale will be exciting. Utah has got to have one of the best, deepest benches in the entire league.

The bench lineup should do a tremendous job defensively. They all have the ability to switch and guard multiple positions. Getting Thabo back gives the Jazz another great perimeter defender, and they are going to need all the defense they can get in the Western Conference next season.

Remember, Sefolosha will not play in the first five games of the 2018-19 season, as he was suspended due to violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy. After those five games, Sefolosha will be back in the fold, and fully healthy, which is key.

He’s been an important piece on every team he’s been on throughout his NBA career. I’m sure a lot of people remember him from the 2011-12 Oklahoma City Thunder team that made it all the way to the NBA Finals, losing to LeBron James and the Miami Heat.

How much does he have left in the tank at this point in his career? That remains to be seen. Coming off knee surgery isn’t easy, but if he plays like he did last season, he will be a big piece to the Jazz in 2018-19.

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