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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BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 18: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles the ball while guarded by Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics during a game at TD Garden on January 18, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 18: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles the ball while guarded by Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics during a game at TD Garden on January 18, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Brooklyn Nets: Kyrie Irving vs. Mike Conley

I have tried to not be too repetitive throughout this series, but this one is just too undeniable. As one of Brooklyn’s most prolific newcomers, particularly with Kevin Durant set to be sidelined for the entire 2019-20 season, Kyrie Irving’s fit and play in Brooklyn will be the main determining factor in their success.

There’s no denying that Kyrie is an exceptional talent, but he also brings no small amount of drama to the table, so his impact on the rest of Brooklyn’s exceptional young roster will be interesting to keep an eye on. Still, expect him to shoulder a massive load for the Nets in this transition year awaiting KD’s return and he’ll be the main figure to watch night in and night out.

With that being the case, Conley will have his hands full trying to grapple with him and hold him in check. Kyrie is as crafty with the ball in his hands as they come, and even though Conley has a significant edge defensively, that may still not be enough against the tremendously talented Irving.

Interestingly enough, the two players, much like Conley and Kemba, have a very close record against one another with Irving enjoying a slight 4-3 edge. However, Conley has never once outscored Irving in a head-to-head matchup. They both scored an identical 26 points against one another last December in a game where Mike struggled mightily from an efficiency standpoint, but Irving has gotten the upper hand against him in that category each and every other time they’ve faced off.

That’s something Mike will almost certainly be wanting to reverse when the Jazz and Nets face one another this upcoming season. Although they’ll only meet twice (barring this being the NBA Finals matchup which almost certainly won’t be the case), it would still be advantageous to the Jazz to see Conley get the better of as many opposing point guards as possible, especially considering the deep and capable teammates he’ll have around him.

There are a lot of intriguing Nets players to watch do battle with the Jazz this upcoming season, but the star-studded matchup of Conley vs. Irving will be the primary one to keep tabs on as both newcomers aim to unleash a new potential for their respective squads.

Scheduled Contests:

  • 11/12 Brooklyn at Utah
  • 1/14 Utah at Brooklyn
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