Royce O’Neale has taken advantage of his promotion from the bench to a starting role. His effect on defense changes the entire mentality of the Utah Jazz, who are enjoying a five game winning streak.
Six games ago, Royce O’Neale rejoined the starting lineup for the Utah Jazz. Who he was replacing was a tossup for a few hours, but ultimately, he traded roles with Joe Ingles, just before the Jazz’s game against the Boston Celtics on February 26.
Explaining his decision to insert O’Neale into the starting, Utah head coach Quin Snyder said, “The overriding thought on our team right now is we’ve got to get back to defending. That’s been our focus in practice. My decision to put Royce in the lineup is grounded in that, although he can’t do that on his own.”
Over his three seasons with the team, O’Neale has earned a reputation as being Utah’s best perimeter defender, and over the last six games, he’s proven that he is.
In those six games, O’Neale guarded the fourth most field goals a game (25.5) while allowing the lowest field goal percentage of any player on the team (44.1) and the second-lowest three-point percentage (34.7).
Although Rudy Gobert is a once-in-a-lifetime type of defender, his strength is at the rim, stopping opponents from getting close to the basket. That puts the pressure on perimeter guys to make sure teams don’t score from deep, and O’Neale typically takes on the other team’s top offensive weapon.
His lockdown defense is a big reason the Jazz are enjoying a five-game win streak at the moment. Another reason? His rebounding. The six-foot-four wing averaged 6.2 rebounds in the wins, which was second best on the team, trailing only Gobert.
He’s struggled offensively as of late, and he needs to score more, for sure. But Royce O’Neale’s defensive intensity is high and his awareness is keen. Keep an eye on his play as the postseason gets closer. If the Jazz want to keep playing deep into the summer, Royce O’Neale must keep up his current game-winning effort.