Grading every player on the Utah Jazz at the midway point
Utah Jazz center Udoka Azubuike
4.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 0.7 blocks per game
Udoka Azubuike is a strong candidate for the unofficial “surprise Jazz player of the year” award. When he’s been asked to deliver, he’s gone above and beyond.
Overall, his per 75 possession averages of 15 points, 14.9 rebounds and 2.25 blocks tell us more than his per game averages. Azubuike looks primed to outgrow his minimal role on the Utah Jazz sooner than later.
Grade: A+
Utah Jazz forward Eric Paschall
5.7 points and 2.0 rebounds per game
It is not Eric Paschall’s fault that the Jazz signed a similar, more experienced player in Rudy Gay. Nonetheless, he’s done little to convince Quin Snyder to give him his place in the rotation.
Not that Paschall has been horrible. He’s just been a little underwhelming. His 62.0 TS% is solid, but his -1.1 DBPM leaves much to be desired. All told, his season amounts to one big “meh”.
Grade: C
Utah Jazz guard Jared Butler
3.4 points, 1.2 assists, 0.3 steals per game
How do you grade a rookie averaging 7.6 minutes per game?
First, you use per 75 possession stats. On that measure, Butler’s performance has been mixed. He’s averaging 16.6 points, 5.9 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.9 blocks and 3.8 turnovers per 75.
Second, you use the eye test. In this case, it mostly backs up the per 75 possession stats. Butler needs to cut down on turnovers, but he works extremely hard to make up for the miscues with defensive playmaking. He’s a bundle of energy and effort. Once he harnesses those qualities, we expect him to be a solid rotational player.
He’s just not quite there yet.
Grade: B
Utah Jazz guard Trent Forrest
3.2 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists per game
The same small sample caveats that have applied to all the backend rotational players apply here. Per 75, Forrest is averaging 9.7 points, 4.8 assists and 5.1 rebounds per contest.
That’s…fine? Forrest provides strong positional rebounding, and his 1.5 DBPM is indicative of his effort there as well. It’s still unclear whether he has any particular strengths at the NBA level, or is just a solid, all-around bench player.
Grade: B-
Next. Ranking every season in Jazz history. dark
There are our rankings for every regular member of the Utah Jazz. Now, take to the comments section without delay, and tell us why we’re horribly wrong.