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Utah Jazz: Three reasons for optimism after ‘Meet the Team’ event

Jared Woodcox|
Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 24: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers is interviewed after a game against the Denver Nuggets on March 24, 2019 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 24: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Indiana Pacers is interviewed after a game against the Denver Nuggets on March 24, 2019 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)

#2 Bojan Bogdanovic wins 3-point contest

After landing Mike Conley via trade, the Utah Jazz were already primed to be a dramatically improved team during the upcoming season. But from there, they made an even more unforeseen splash by adding sharpshooter Bojan Bogdanovic in free agency, taking the risk of trading away Derrick Favors in the process to clear space for him.

While Bogey is a clearly better offensive option, the move was still somewhat of a gamble considering that the Jazz sacrificed a lot on defense and size by doing so. However, Bojan is coming off the best year of his career with the Indiana Pacers. And if he can continue to knock down threes at the incredible clip he pulled off a season ago of 42.5 percent, then he’s going to be a heaven-sent for the Jazz.

So far, his odds of being that desperately needed perimeter threat are looking solid. Not only did Donovan Mitchell boast just days ago about him shooting ’90 percent from three’, but Bojan put on a show at the Meet the Team event by winning the 3-point contest.

Now, I know, this contest was simply a friendly bout between teammates, not a battle between the NBA’s greatest shooters (and not to mention, Joe Ingles himself didn’t even participate), but it was still very much a reassuring sign to see Bojan get off to such a prolific first step from the perimeter with his new squad. Winning this seemingly trivial contest set something of a tone that Bogdanovic really is going to be able to come in and be the reliable 3-point threat the Jazz need.

Along with Conley and Ed Davis, Bogdanovic is another guy who has been heaped with praise throughout the preseason slate by Quin Snyder and other teammates. He also has said all the right things, including expressing confidence in his new teammates, lauding this Jazz squad for being the best he’s ever played with and showing a willingness to simply work hard and play whatever role is required of him.

Combine all that with Bogey’s early perimeter shooting prowess from Friday evening, and he’s shaping up to be exactly the player the Jazz have been needing on every front imaginable.

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