One of Quin Snyder’s go-to refrains whenever he’s asked what this player or that player needs to do to get in the rotation is to issue a reminder that there simply aren’t enough minutes for everyone to play, and that certain guys need a certain number of minutes to optimize their performance.
Fair enough.
But that just makes games like Friday’s 121-92 demolition of the Clippers all the more ideal, because not only did the Utah Jazz secure an easy victory, but they did it on a night when regulars Donovan Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic, Hassan Whiteside, Trent Forrest and Danuel House all sat out.
And so, enter Nickeil Alexander-Walker … and Juancho Hernangomez … and Eric Paschall … and Jared Butler.
In particular, the latter’s opportunity to rack up 24 minutes and 31 seconds of meaningful (if not particularly competitive) game time against Los Angeles to show what he can do was significant, considering the team’s internal belief in his future potential.
“All those opportunities are great for us — we’re probably going to need him at some point,” Rudy Gobert noted afterward.
Butler showing what he could do was made all the better by him showing out.
He hit 8 of 13 shots — including 5 of 10 from deep — to score 21 points. Sixteen of those came in the fourth quarter alone. But he also flashed some of the combo guard skills the team has been working so hard to develop, amassing seven assists against just one turnover.
“That’s been a point of emphasis for sure for me,” Butler acknowledged afterward. “I think a lot of people have targeted me and boxed me in as only a scorer. I think I have the ability to pass tremendously well.”
His coach agrees.
“When you can create, [it’s easier] finding a balance between being aggressive and taking a shot and also creating for other people,” said Quin Snyder. “He’s got excellent vision. I think he’s finding that balance [between] just feeling who’s out there and if there’s someone open he wants to get them the ball, and not passing up his shot, either.”
Butler said that the biggest difference in his game between when he started with the team at OTAs and now is simply his comfort level.
And his teammates are seeing that manifested out on the court too, even if two of them independently mentioned — unprompted — one specific area where he can still stand to improve a bit.
“He played well, he played very well. I’m happy for him. He dribbles a lot!” Eric Paschall said in a joking-but-not-really tone.
“We knew that he was capable of making plays off the dribble,” added Gobert, “but he’s been able to adjust, getting better at finding his shots without needing 35 dribbles.”
Paschall, cognizant of not accidentally creating an “unsalvageable” sequel, quickly added that Butler “made a lot of great plays tonight, I can’t even lie.”
In particular, he cited the rookie’s passing (both ability and willingness), making the right reads in pick-and-roll situations, and — perhaps most unique for a rookie — his patience.
Gobert chimed in that the Baylor product is increasingly displaying on-court poise, which has led to making more right plays and also becoming increasingly efficient, with his shot and otherwise.
One of the keys to that progress, Paschall added, has been the rookie’s willingness to learn.
“Just being very open to listening. He listens to every one of us — if we have something to say, he’s there listening and he tries to implement it,” said Paschall. “We just constantly try to teach him, and he’s getting better every day. This was a big game for JB, and we’re very happy for him.”
Butler, who always seems to display an affable humility in his media interactions, even acknowledged that this was a big moment for him.
With no Mitchell and no Forrest, it was Mike Conley and Alexander-Walker who got the start in the backcourt. But when Snyder went to the bench to make his first substitutions at the 6:29 mark of the opening quarter, Butler was there at the scorers’ table, right alongside reigning Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson.
The significance wasn’t lost on him.
“That’s how the NBA is — I go from 35 seconds [of action] to the first guy checking in,” Butler said. “I go stretches where I don’t play, or play in the G League — it’s just about staying ready. Tonight was a great opportunity; playing with guys like J.C., they definitely helped me out, getting me in spots where I can be successful. I felt like I played well.”
