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Utah Jazz: Reviewing the FIBA performances of current Jazzmen + Rubio

BEIJING, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 14: Donovan Mitchell #5 of the USA Men's National Team against Team Poland during the 2019 FIBA World Cup Classification 7-8 at the Cadillac Arena on September 14, 2019 in Beijing, China. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 14: Donovan Mitchell #5 of the USA Men's National Team against Team Poland during the 2019 FIBA World Cup Classification 7-8 at the Cadillac Arena on September 14, 2019 in Beijing, China. Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
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BEIJING, CHINA – SEPTEMBER 15: Joe Ingles #7 of the Australian Boomers reacts to a play during the game against Team France during the Third Place Game of the 2019 FIBA World Cup at the Cadillac Arena on September 15, 2019 in Beijing, China. 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 Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA – SEPTEMBER 15: Joe Ingles #7 of the Australian Boomers reacts to a play during the game against Team France during the Third Place Game of the 2019 FIBA World Cup at the Cadillac Arena on September 15, 2019 in Beijing, China. 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 Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Joe Ingles

Joe Ingles had some incredible outings for his Australian team. In some contests he was the best all-around player, controlling the tempo, setting up teammates, and hitting big shots. He finished third on the team in points per game at 10.5, second in assists only to Matthew Dellavedova at 5.6, and first in rebounds, even ahead of Andrew Bogut and Aron Baynes at 6.1.

In these regards, Joe looked as good as ever. And considering that he should still be a primary ball-handler for the Jazz, perhaps even leading the second unit in that role, his high assist marks and good decision making were encouraging sights to behold.

However, there was a very disheartening aspect of Ingles’ play that hopefully will prove to be little more than an anomaly rather than a trend. Throughout FIBA play, he struggled dramatically to find his shot as he went an appalling 26.3 percent from the three-point line.

Last year, Ingles shot an undeniably solid 39.1 percent from three. As good as that mark was, though, the fact that it was nearly a five percent decrease from the year before was quite the red flag. After finishing as one of the best shooters in the NBA in 2017-18, Ingles seemed to lose a step last year. If his drought in FIBA play is any indication, there could be yet more regression.

Sure, the FIBA World Cup lasted just eight games which is an extremely small sample size. Chances are that over the course of a full season in an NBA with far more space, Ingles will correct his shooting dramatically. That should be even more the case now that he’ll be joined by Conley, Bogdanovic and hopefully an improved Royce O’Neale as prolific three-point threats to further stretch the floor.

Still, when considering what we’ve most recently seen out of Ingles including horrific shooting in the playoffs against the Rockets and a continuation of that in FIBA play, there’s definitely some justifiable concern about his shot. Hopefully, the revamped roster will help Ingles break out of this funk and he’ll yet again find himself among the NBA leaders in perimeter shooting efficiency.

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