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Utah Jazz: One thing each starter needs to improve in 2019-20

By Jared Woodcox

Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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MEMPHIS, TN – JANUARY 16: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots a free throw against the Milwaukee Bucks on January 16, 2019 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN – JANUARY 16: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots a free throw against the Milwaukee Bucks on January 16, 2019 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Mike Conley – Three-Point Efficiency

This one may come as a surprise to some given how much all of us Jazz fans and writers have drooled over the floor-stretching abilities that Mike Conley will bring to this Jazz team. That excitement still holds true, however, as Conley’s career 37.5 percent shooting from distance is well above that of former Utah point guard Ricky Rubio whose mark is just 32.2 percent.

Not only that, but Conley’s percentage last season on catch-and-shoot threes, which may be his best trait in Quin Snyder’s offense, was a prolific 39.8 percent. By all measures, he’s more of a threat than Rubio was and should command more respect, create more spacing, and convert at a higher clip.

Nevertheless, there’s still ample room for improvement if the Jazz are truly to reach their highest potential next season. In 2018-19, Conley shot a disappointing 36.4 percent from the perimeter. That’s not a bad figure by any means and is certainly better than what Rubio could muster, but it’s below his career average and isn’t really near approaching “light the nets on fire from deep” figures.

It should be noted that Conley was the best player on his team last season by a considerable distance and commanded most of the opposing teams’ attention, which could have very well impacted his percentage. Nevertheless, the fact remains that he wasn’t up to par with what we’ve become accustomed to from him throughout his career.

As good as Conley is in all aspects of his game, adding an even more reliable three-point stroke to his repertoire will only serve to make the Jazz even more dangerous. He doesn’t have to be a 40-percent plus guy like Bojan Bogdanovic and Joe Ingles are known for being (though that would be nice), but even if Conley is able to return to right around his career average and land close to 38 percent next season, it will be an enormous plus for the Jazz offense and spacing.

The degree to which Conley becomes even more of a weapon for the Jazz could determine just how deadly they truly become.

And the good news is that Quin Snyder’s offense is known for creating open three-pointers at an incredible rate unlike any other team in the NBA. With that being the case and considering that Mike shot 43.3 percent on wide open looks last season, he should be in a great opportunity to easily up his three-point efficiency this year and take the Jazz O to a whole new level.

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