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

By Jared Woodcox

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 16: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz at the Wells Fargo Center on November 16, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 16: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz at the Wells Fargo Center on November 16, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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MEMPHIS, TN – OCTOBER 30: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets and Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies shake hands before the game on October 30, 2017 at 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN – OCTOBER 30: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets and Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies shake hands before the game on October 30, 2017 at 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Boston Celtics: Kemba Walker vs. Mike Conley

At the start of the 2019 Utah Jazz offseason, it was quite clear that the team needed an upgrade at the point guard position and many Jazz fans were pining after electrifying star Kemba Walker. Walker would have been an exciting addition, but it was clear from the summer’s onset that Mike Conley was Jazz target number one, and they managed to land him in a monumental trade with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Meanwhile, Walker ultimately opted to sign with the Boston Celtics in free agency, a team that already drew the ire of Jazz fans due to it being the team of former Jazzman Gordon Hayward. Factor in that the Celtics also signed Enes Kanter this offseason, and even though some Jazz fans would have loved to support Kemba earlier this summer, now that he’s joined a squad so littered with enemies, he’ll instead find himself on the opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to Jazz support.

And with that being the case, the battle between him and the point guard the Jazz actually decided to go with – the illustrious Mike Conley – is going to be the one to watch.

Although Kemba has the edge in All-Star and All-NBA accolades, much of that has to do with Walker playing in a weaker Eastern Conference. When comparing the two in a vacuum, there’s a very strong argument that Mike is actually the better of the two players and has enjoyed a more prolific career.

Conley is known as a better defender but Kemba is considered the more athletic and dynamic scorer. Nevertheless, both have gotten the better of one another in various bouts throughout their careers and they’ve enjoyed pretty balanced head-to-head matchups with Conley holding a 7-6 edge over Kemba in games they’ve played against one another.

Now that both are on staunch teams that figure to be among the top seeds in their respective conferences, watching them go head to head in what will surely be heated contests will be a thrill. The two dynamic point guards on brand new teams will have plenty to prove as they seek to take their recently-joined squads to illustrious heights.

Scheduled Contests:

  • 2/26 Boston at Utah
  • 3/6 Utah at Boston
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