The J-Notes
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Happy Holidays: Utah Jazz center Tony Bradley makes season debut

By Josh Padmore

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 29: Tony Bradley #13 of the Utah Jazz tries for the block of the shot by Noah Vonleh #32 of the New York Knicks in the second half of a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 29, 2018 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. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 29: Tony Bradley #13 of the Utah Jazz tries for the block of the shot by Noah Vonleh #32 of the New York Knicks in the second half of a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 29, 2018 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. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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Christmas is in the rear view mirror, but it’s still the holiday season for Utah Jazz center Tony Bradley, who made his season debut on Saturday night.

With multiple players out due to injury, and with the Utah Jazz absolutely annihilating the New York Knicks, I knew there was a chance Tony Bradley would get some burn on Saturday night. Sure enough, he got eight minutes of action, which is a glorious amount for a player who hadn’t graced the court all season.

Bradley, in a way, looked like a rookie out there. That’s not a dig at him — it’s the reality of the fact that this was only his 10th game as an NBA player. He was hesitant to shoot the ball. The box score says he went 0-for-3 from the field, but he really only took one shot attempt. The other two were simply Bradley tapping the ball up and keeping it alive off his miss. That’s unfortunate, because Bradley is now shooting 21.4 percent from the field for his career. It’ll go up eventually.

The second-year center has been playing well for the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G-League, averaging 14 points and eight rebounds per game. During his first NBA game of the season, Bradley finished with three rebounds in nine minutes.

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Unfortunately, I don’t expect to see much of Bradley this year. However, I do think he’ll have a chance to crack the rotation next season. Ekpe Udoh will be a free agent, and the Jazz will have a team option on Derrick Favors‘ contract.

The 20-year-old center showed some promise during summer league, averaging 15 points and nine rebounds per game. He’s got a big body that he can fill into over time, and also grew an inch and a half over the offseason. Bradley is an impressive 6-foot-11, with a 7-foot-6 inch wingspan.

Physically, he’s very intriguing. Once he puts together his basketball skills, he could become a very good player.

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