The J-Notes
Fansided

3 of the best role players the Utah Jazz have had in the last 10 years

By Chad Porto

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 17: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz laughs during a pre-game shoot around before their game against the San Antonio Spurs on December 17, 2021 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena 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 Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 17: Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz laughs during a pre-game shoot around before their game against the San Antonio Spurs on December 17, 2021 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena 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 Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MARCH 16: Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz in action during a game against the Brooklyn Nets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 16, 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 – MARCH 16: Jae Crowder #99 of the Utah Jazz in action during a game against the Brooklyn Nets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 16, 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) /

Jae Crowder

When looking at NBA players who provide versatility at multiple positions as both offensive and defensive players, few can compare to Jae Crowder. Built more like an NFL player than an NBA player, Crowder is a physical presence on the perimeter, with the size needed to bang down low with other forwards and even a few centers.

He’s no All-Star scorer and he’s never going to win a Defensive Player of the Year Award, but there aren’t many players who can score nearly 10 points a game, put up shooting splits of .420/.350/.780, and be one of the best defensive players on a team with Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

He came over from Cleveland (why is it always Cleveland?) in 2018 to help the Jazz finish the year with 48 wins for the season. He then stayed in Utah for the next season (’18-’19), where he had 12 points, and five rebounds but was largely ineffective as a scorer. Still, thanks to his impact on the team, the Jazz won 50 games.

He was a heck of an asset off the bench, playing in 80 games, with 69 of those coming off the bench for the squad. He was gritty and tough, in an NBA era where that type of play has been minimized by more modern rule changes.

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