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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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 22: Emmanuel Mudiay #1 of the New York Knicks looks on during the second half of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Madison Square Garden on March 22, 2019 in New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 22: Emmanuel Mudiay #1 of the New York Knicks looks on during the second half of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Madison Square Garden on March 22, 2019 in New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

2.6

Emmanuel Mudiay is another one whose impact is hard to judge by his statistical output from a year ago. He did make massive strides in terms of his shooting efficiency, though 44.6 percent from the field and 32.9 percent from deep still aren’t much to get giddy about. He did also post a career-high 14.8 points per game a season ago, but considering the lackluster efficiency those points came on and the fact they came with a dismal New York Knicks team makes it less impressive.

So what’s there to be excited about as it pertains to Mudiay? Well, for one, the hope is that he’ll be able to come in and help the Jazz play more up-tempo and get out and run in transition. He’s extremely athletic and has a great quickness in getting down the court. Along that vein, the number that stands out for him is his 2.6 fast break points per 36 minutes last season.

Sure, that pales in comparison to the NBA’s leaders from a year ago, Buddy Hield with 5.7 fast break points per 36 minutes and LeBron James with 5.5, and it places Mudiay at just 75th in the NBA among players who appeared in at least 30 games. From that standpoint, it looks like a so-so, but not amazing figure.

But you know what makes it look a whole lot more promising? Comparing it to the fast break numbers of the Utah Jazz. Mudiay had more fast break points per 36 minutes than every single player on the Jazz roster, including Donovan Mitchell who came in at 2.5.

Sure, part of this is that the Jazz simply play at a slower pace. Mudiay might be hard-pressed to hit 2.6 this season and almost certainly won’t lead the team as he’ll be in a much smaller role than he had in New York last year. But the fact that he can get out and run then convert in transition is a great sign for a Jazz team that has lacked that ability and will need that type of energy and point-production off the bench. Such will be one of Mudiay’s strengths and a great change of pace for the Jazz second unit.

Next. Utah Jazz duo of Conley, Mitchell could team up at FIBA World Cup. dark

A season ago, the Jazz finished just 26th in fast break points per game at 10.6. We’ve addressed other concerns they patched up in free agency this summer such as three-point shooting, floor spacing, replacing Favors’ rebounding, and durability. For Mudiay, he should help remedy some of Utah’s issues on the break, serving as a threat to put opposing defenses on their heels as he gets out and runs.

He, like his fellow teammates signed this summer, should play a key role in mitigating one of Utah’s many former weaknesses making for an extremely promising 2019-20 campaign ahead.

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