The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: One eye-opening stat from each major free agent signee

By Jared Woodcox

Las Vegas, NV - JULY 7: Royce O'Neal, Mike Conley, and Emmanuel Mudiay of the Utah Jazz look on during the game against the Miami Heat during Day 3 of the 2019 Las Vegas Summer League on July 7, 2019 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
Las Vegas, NV - JULY 7: Royce O'Neal, Mike Conley, and Emmanuel Mudiay of the Utah Jazz look on during the game against the Miami Heat during Day 3 of the 2019 Las Vegas Summer League on July 7, 2019 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 09: Jeff Green #32 of the Washington Wizards looks on against the Boston Celtics at Capital One Arena on April 09, 2019 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 09: Jeff Green #32 of the Washington Wizards looks on against the Boston Celtics at Capital One Arena on April 09, 2019 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

78.18

Admittedly, it was a little tougher for me to find a stat that really stood out about Jeff Green. In a nutshell, he’s a pretty solid and well-rounded contributor, but Jazz fans have to temper expectations and remember that he was added on a minimum contract. Still, he does a lot of things well and has helped several teams that he’s been on before. He can score in a variety of ways and has the length to be a plus defender. As a power forward option for the Jazz who will largely fill the former Jae Crowder role, he should be a worthy addition.

But the Salt Lake Tribune’s Andy Larsen recently described Green perfectly when being realistic about both his positives and some of his deficiencies. He stated–

"All in all, Crowder is actually a pretty reasonable comparison for Green: both aren’t good shooters, passers, or rebounders. But both use their physical traits — for Green his length, for Crowder his strength — to give their teams something on the defensive end. And both are wing fours who can open up some space for Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell and the rest to do their things. For the minimum, that’s enough, a nice contribution. But if we’ve learned anything from Green’s career, it’s this: if you set your expectations too high, he’ll fall short. If you don’t expect much, he’ll pleasantly surprise you."

In other words, Jazz fans should be a bit cautious about expecting Green to be a game-changer, even though I do believe he’ll be a nice stopgap at the four-spot. That said, one thing that really stands out to me about Green is his consistency in terms of being available. What I mean is – throughout his 11-year NBA career (excluding the 2011-12 season in which he didn’t suit up due to a serious heart condition), Green has averaged 78.18 games played per year. That’s less than four missed contests every season.

In those 78.18 games, he’s averaged a heavy average of 30 minutes per contest throughout his career. That’s a lot of mileage, and yet, Green continues to show up, play hard and contribute for every team with which he’s made a stop. He likely won’t log that much playing time this season, but it’s still good to know that he’s capable of bearing that degree of a load.

Considering the somewhat checkered injury history that has plagued the Jazz the last few years, having a guy who’s consistent enough to play 30 minutes a night for close to the entire season is an extremely valuable luxury. I suspect that Green will be relied on to help space the floor and play versatile defense, and that he’ll fill that role consistently and without question just as he’s done his entire career.

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