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Utah Jazz: Who will be the team’s best sixth man?

By Jared Woodcox

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 2: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz and Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz celebrate after the game against the Houston Rockets in Game Two of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - MAY 2: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz and Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz celebrate after the game against the Houston Rockets in Game Two of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – MAY 8: Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball against the Houston Rockets during Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 8: Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball against the Houston Rockets during Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Jae Crowder

The beauty of Jae Crowder’s game is that he’s simply a grinder and does whatever it takes to get the job done. Not only that, but he’s a superb spark plug whose style and personality seem to fit perfectly as a sixth man type player. The second his name is called and he comes in off the bench, he provides his team with an all-new energy.

Last season, Crowder struggled somewhat to find his shot with the Jazz as evidenced by his less than favorable shooting percentage. Nevertheless, he still found countless other ways to contribute even when he was having an off shooting night. From stellar hustle plays to his constantly consistent defense, Crowder played a big part in Utah surging in the second half of the season and clawing their way into the second round of the playoffs.

And though his shooting left something to desire, his nearly 12 points per game was a nice touch. Not only that, but when he was inserted into Utah’s so-called ‘death lineup’ at the four-spot alongside Rudy Gobert and the rest of the starters, the Jazz’s net rating was through the roof. Taking that into consideration alone just goes to show how prolific of a sixth man Crowder could very well be this upcoming year.

That will hold especially true if he’s able to match the production of this best year in Boston where he produced nearly 14 points per game on impressive shooting marks of 46.3 percent from the field and 39.8 percent from deep. Jae will also benefit from continuity and time with the team thanks to an entire offseason and training camp with the Jazz whereas he was just flung into the middle of things after being traded last season.

Between an already incredible foundation as a sixth man and the almost certain improvement and assimilation he’ll show this upcoming year, he’s a great option for Utah’s top sixth man in 2018-19.

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