The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Most intriguing individual matchups series – Southwest Division

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 4: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz speaks with Derrick Favors #15 during the game against the Houston Rockets during Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 4: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz speaks with Derrick Favors #15 during the game against the Houston Rockets during Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 23: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball while defended by Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers in the first half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 23, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 23: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball while defended by Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers in the first half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 23, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

San Antonio Spurs: DeMar DeRozan vs. Bojan Bogdanovic

Although Bojan Bogdanovic enjoyed the best years of his career the last two seasons with the Indiana Pacers, for whatever reason he really struggled those pair of years against DeMar DeRozan, be it when he played in Toronto or San Antonio.

In four of the six contests, Bogey put up just seven points or less whereas DeRozan had 26, 24, 12 and 18 respectively. Overall for their careers, DeRozan has averaged 22.4 points against Bogdanovic teams where as Bojan has averaged just 11.4.

However, that isn’t taking into account how much Bogdanovic has improved over the course of the last two seasons, so I suspect we’ll actually see a much closer matchup between the two moving forward. That’s especially true considering that Bogey made massive strides as a defender in Indiana and that he’ll have tons of space to operate in a Jazz offense in which he’ll be the third or fourth offensive option (depending where you rank Rudy Gobert).

Then again, with DeRozan now having a full season in the Popovich system under his belt, many suspect that he’ll also be more effective this upcoming season, so Bogey could have his hands full. Fortunately, he’ll now have the two-time Defensive Player of the Year watching his back, which should allow him further liberty to challenge DeRozan this time around.

DeRozan is unquestionably more athletic and the more dynamic scorer of the two, and with multiple All-Star appearances on his resume, there’s no disputing he’s the better player. But with Bogey in a system wherein he should thrive and holding an ability to drain threes at a clip that DeRozan couldn’t even dream of, this will be a fun individual battle to behold as Bojan looks to hold his own and challenge his All-Star opponent.

Next. Utah Jazz: Mitchell hollers at Zendaya, gets roasted by Gobert. dark

Scheduled Contests:

  • 1/29 Utah at San Antonio
  • 2/21 San Antonio at Utah
  • 3/22 Utah at San Antonio
  • 3/24 San Antonio at Utah
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