Utah Jazz: Raul Neto has cup of coffee in the G-League, return is imminent
By Ryan Aston
Utah Jazz back-up guard Raul Neto is finally closing in on a return to the hardwood after starting the season on the shelf.
Although the Utah Jazz have had their share of nicks and bruises in the early season, only one player has missed substantial time thus far. That player is point-man Raul Neto, who has yet to see the floor during the 2018-19 campaign thanks to a right hamstring injury.
However, after finally getting back into some limited full-court activity over the last week, Neto now looks to be closing in on making his season debut.
Per an announcement from the Jazz on Tuesday, the 26-year-old has officially been cleared for practice. As part of the final stage in his return to play protocol, Neto received a rehab assignment to the team’s G-League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars, with whom he’ll get two closed practice sessions.
It’s great news for Neto, whose battle with injuries has seemingly been unending over the last year-plus.
Not only has he been on the shelf since training camp, but he’s coming off a season during which he missed 41 games with more ailments than I’ve ever seen a player have. We’re talking a concussion, a broken left wrist, left hamstring soreness, bruised ribs, a left knee bone contusion, an injured left quad, foot soreness and a sprained ankle.
This guy is clearly due some good luck, and the Jazz could definitely use him for point guard depth. He’s a nice player to have when, say, Ricky Rubio goes 3-for-11 and fouls out with just two assists (as he did against the Memphis Grizzlies)…or when Dante Exum gets pulled for the night after an embarrassing 2:37 against the Boston Celtics.
Despite the litany of problems he had last year, he still put up 4.5 points per game in limited action and was a 40-percent 3-point shooter. Moreover, the Jazz rocked the opposition when Neto played; his net rating of 10.2 was the highest on the squad among rotation regulars.
When teams are forced to go to their third guard, they’re usually just hoping he doesn’t hurt them on the court. Statistically speaking, Neto somehow made things better.
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The Jazz will be back in action on Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks. Tip-off will be at 6:30 PM MT.