The J-Notes
Fansided

Three players the Utah Jazz can pursue if they’re desperate for more size

By Jared Woodcox

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 01: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz is introduced prior to an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on December 01, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 01: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz is introduced prior to an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on December 01, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
MEMPHIS, TN – MARCH 20: Joakim Noah #55 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts against the Houston Rockets on March 20, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN – MARCH 20: Joakim Noah #55 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts against the Houston Rockets on March 20, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Joakim Noah

At 33 years old and having clearly lost a step or two, Joakim Noah wasn’t high enough on anyone’s priority list to find an NBA home this past summer. Nevertheless, he actually put up some good minutes on the Memphis team for which me most recently played. Noah averaged 7.1 points per game in 16.5 minutes per contest on 51.6 percent shooting from the field.

But the good thing is that Joakim wouldn’t exactly be asked to score, instead it would be more important for him to be able to defend. As a former Defensive Player of the Year, that end of the floor has long been Noah’s specialty and focus. Although he’s lost some of his athleticism, the fundamentals, understanding and attention to detail are all still there and he could provide enormous help as a backup to Rudy Gobert and against teams with two bigs.

Noah would also bring a lot of the grittiness and toughness that the Jazz lost when they traded away Jae Crowder. He’s a guy that doesn’t care what the opposition thinks and isn’t afraid to get nasty and physical, if needed. Considering how frequently the Jazz have been ‘out-physicaled’ this year, that would be a very beneficial trait.

And standing at six-foot-eleven, Noah could help contain opposing bigs and provide more flexibility and depth for the Jazz when facing enemy frontcourts with twin towers.

He wouldn’t be a flashy pick-up or a guy that moves the needle unbelievably, but he could very well provide just the slightest uptick in toughness and size that could help the Jazz be better equipped to compete.

Home/Jazz News