The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Three pleasant surprises and three disappointments 10 games into season

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - NOVEMBER 08: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Utah Jazz celebrates a play with teammate Royce O'Neale #23 during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on November 8, 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 - NOVEMBER 08: Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Utah Jazz celebrates a play with teammate Royce O'Neale #23 during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on November 8, 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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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 03: Utah Jazz Guard Mike Conley (10) looks on during a NBA game between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers on November 3, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 03: Utah Jazz Guard Mike Conley (10) looks on during a NBA game between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers on November 3, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Disappointment #1 – Mike Conley’s early struggles

Mike Conley has looked much more like the player he was expected to be in Utah over the course of the past few games, but that doesn’t change the fact that for most of the first 10, he’s struggled to find his way. Even now with the recent improvement, Conley is still shooting just 36.5 percent from the field, which would be a career-low by a long shot.

If we clip off his last three performances, though, things look even worse. In the first seven games, Conley put up just 12.4 points on 31.8 percent shooting from the field and 28.2 percent from deep while logging nearly as many turnovers (3.1) as assists (3.9).

Mike looked largely out of sorts and without rhythm through the early stretch of the season as he struggled to find his place in a new Jazz system having left the Memphis Grizzlies for the first time in his professional career. Considering all the hype and excitement surrounding him as a missing piece for the Jazz and a prolific Ricky Rubio replacement, there’s no denying that his start was disappointing.

Fortunately, Mike has looked much better of late which will ideally become a trend for him as he strives to become one of the key pieces of a championship-worthy Jazz team. He has a ways to go yet to prove himself and shake off the slow start, but all signs during the three-game winning streak indicate that he’s getting swiftly back into a groove.

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