Quin Snyder is still in lineup experimentation mode.
After starting Royce O’Neale at the power forward spot against Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans, Jeff Green got the nod in the starting lineup on Monday night against Harrison Barnes and the Sacramento Kings.
Individually, Green looked good enough. He finished with 12 points on 5-for-7 shooting, and made both of his 3-point attempts. He even hit a couple of tough midrange jumpers that the Jazz needed as their offense stalled out.
But as a collective, the lineup didn’t look as good. The Kings outscored the starting lineup by 16-9 in the first quarter, then didn’t gain an advantage when the same look played in the second half. In particular, the Jazz’s defense looked very poor, though that’s been an issue no matter who has played.
“We had spurts where we guarded, but that needs to be a focus for us,” Snyder said. “I just thought it was too easy.”
It does seem as if Joe Ingles is almost certain to come off the bench for the Jazz to begin the season. As he told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, "At 32, it’s a new challenge, which excites me. I honestly haven’t sat at home and lost any sleep over starting or not. It doesn’t bother me at all.”
Emmanuel Mudiay gets first minutes
After dealing with hamstring soreness through the preseason so far, Jazz point guard Emmanuel Mudiay was deemed healthy enough to play on Monday night.
He played nearly 17 minutes in a backup role, and ended up making four of his six shots, all from midrange. Mudiay and Ingles both had opportunities to bring the ball up the floor in those backup units, but Ingles was far more effective as a passer, finishing with eight assists while Mudiay had none.
Purple Mountain Party
The Jazz are giving the general public a chance to see the new — and old — purple mountain jerseys and court that the team will use this season for select throwback games. This Saturday, Oct. 19 from 2-5 p.m., fans will be able to get photos taken on the new court — while Game 6 of the 1997 Western Conference Finals plays on the Jumbotron.
