Utah Jazz: One intangible trait that each newcomer will bring to the team

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BROOKLYN, NY – FEBRUARY 27: Ed Davis #17 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots a free-throw against the Washington Wizards on February 27, 2019 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Ed Davis – Security

With the loss of Derrick Favors and to some extent Ekpe Udoh, who had his moments when given an opportunity, this summer, Jazz fans would have been very much justified in feeling uneasy about their rim protection next season whenever Rudy Gobert wasn’t on the floor. Even with Favors in action as the backup center, there were times when Jazz fans felt that way as it was.

Luckily, it wasn’t too long of a wait before the Jazz found their answer at the backup five spot. And they found it in an absolute underrated stud in Ed Davis. Davis may not quite be the rim protector that Derrick Favors was, but at 6-10, he’s still a handful and can certainly insert himself as a force on the defensive end.

Most importantly, though, he allows the Jazz to still have a solid player on the floor at the center position protecting the rim and crashing the boards even when Rudy Gobert is resting. In that regard, Ed Davis brings security to the team. As a nine-year NBA vet, he’s found a niche by knowing and fulfilling his role extremely well. Part of that role is keeping defenses solid even when the starter is resting and the other part is rebounding.

The latter is something Davis is absolutely exceptional at. Last season, he grabbed 8.3 rebounds per game in just 17.9 minutes per game. That’s nearly two rebounds per minute, which led him to finish second in the NBA in rebounds per 36 minutes – 11.4 – trailing only Miami’s Hassan Whiteside.

No, Davis is no Gobert and he’s really not even a Derrick Favors. But he brings an energy, motor and hustle that very few players are able to match. And perhaps even more importantly, he gives the Jazz security. Even when their rim-protecting defensive anchor Rudy Gobert is off the floor, they’ll have Davis around to take on opposing bigs and gobble up boards at will.

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