The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Midseason Report Card for Emmanuel Mudiay

By Caleb Manser

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: Emmanuel Mudiay #8 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on January 12, 2020 in Washington, DC. 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 Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: Emmanuel Mudiay #8 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on January 12, 2020 in Washington, DC. 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 Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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Utah Jazz
Emmanuel Mudiay, Utah Jazz. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Defense

This is the faucet of Mudiay’s game that worried me about his fit with the Jazz.

Despite his large frame, Mudiay was never a lock-down defender in his short stints in Denver and New York. Would the Jazz second unit be able to stop anyone from scoring with Mudiay guarding the perimeter?

Fortunately, EM signed here with a willingness and desire to learn how to play defense correctly. He’s lived up to his word, soaking up the instructions from the Jazz coaching staff and giving his effort out there on the hardwood.

Unlike the previous slide, Mudiay actually helps the Jazz defense improve when he steps onto the floor. They allow 107.5 points per 100 possessions (good enough for 10th best defense in the league) with Mudiay, and that number rises to 108.3 with him on the bench.

I’m sure if Mudiay chose to stay in Utah for another year or two that the coaching staff could only improve his defense to another notch above where he’s at right now. It will be interesting to see if the Jazz need Mudiay in the playoffs assuming Mike Conley is healthy.

There’s a good chance they will be going up against an electric back court, and I’m not so sure that Mike Conley (6 foot) and Donovan Mitchell (6-foot-1) will be able to stop every opponent.

EM isn’t going to get the most stats on defense like steals or blocks, but he’s proven he can play in the Quin Snyder defensive system which was voted as the best in the NBA GM’s survey last fall.

Grade: B-

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