The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Three (over?)reactions from season-opening victory vs. OKC

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 23: Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz celebrates a free throw during an opening night game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 23: Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz celebrates a free throw during an opening night game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 16: Emmanuel Mudiay #8 of the Utah Jazz in action during a preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 16, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 16: Emmanuel Mudiay #8 of the Utah Jazz in action during a preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 16, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

Emmanuel Mudiay impresses

The Utah Jazz had a stellar offseason with the additions of Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic, Ed Davis and Jeff Green. However, they signed another free agent on a minimum contract that many have had very tempered expectations about. The man I speak of is, of course, Emmanuel Mudiay.

Jazz fans were (and quite frankly very much still are) justified in having reservations about Mudiay as he’s been highly inconsistent throughout this NBA career. Known as a poor decision maker and an unreliable shooter, many wondered if Emmanuel would even be able to find his way onto the floor.

Obviously, he’s been helped initially by Dante Exum remaining sidelined as he continues to rehab from a knee injury. But even if Exum weren’t hurt, Mudiay got off to a sensational start which might make it hard to remove him from the rotation even when Dante returns, if he can keep it up.

In game one, he went for 12 points on 54.5 percent shooting while notching five assists and, perhaps most impressively, zero turnovers in his 22 minutes of action. He was an instant spark for the Jazz as he provided desperately-needed energy during scoring droughts and made key buckets when his team needed them most.

His decision making, shot selection, execution and even his defense were all on-point, which is opposite of what we’ve seen from him throughout this career. But Mudiay came to Utah with his heart set on improvement and development in a system known for doing as much, so it’s entirely possible that he’ll continue on this path.

And if he does, it will work wonders for the Jazz. Even though he doesn’t figure to log massive minutes, if he’s able to provide scoring off the bench and create offense for a reserve group that has historically gone stagnant, he’ll fill a critical role.

Not to mention, we’ve seen what former Denver Nuggets rejects (Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert) have turned into for the Jazz. If Mudiay can even partially follow in their footsteps as he’s shown an initial capability to do, it will be good news for the Utah Jazz.

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