As I have mentioned many times before, the Utah Jazz made some major changes to their roster over the last few weeks. There have been so many additions that fans, current members of the team, and even analysts from the likes of ESPN and Fox Sports Network are talking about this team being in the top tier of teams that can compete for it all this season. The additions make everyone excited.
There have however, been a lot of subtraction that have given the team the freedom to get the new players. I’m going to take a look at the players that are gone and the impact their absence will have on the team. To view these players on an even field I am going to leave Derrick Favors off of this list because it is widely believed that his absence will be the one felt most by the team.
Thabo Sefolosha SF – Unsigned
A quintessential “3 and D” type of guy. The NBA is full of players like him, but it seems like every team will tell you that you can never have too many players that fit that mold on your roster. Thabo is 35 years old and may start ring-chasing for the last couple years of his career. He averaged less than 4 points per game last year. The impact that the team will feel with his departure though comes from his defensive prowess. He’s never shied away from defending whoever the team needs him to. He’s a player that would get in the space of opponents and make his way into their heads. Sefolosha knew exactly what his role was, and he did it near perfectly every night.
Raul Neto PG – Philadelphia 76ers
The underappreciated sparkplug to the team last year. Raul averaged 5.3 points per game, 2.5 assists, and 1.7 rebounds while shooting 33 percent from behind the 3-point line. His numbers don’t seem all that impressive from a back up point guard, but he always did exactly what head coach Quin Schneider needed him to. That’s what will be missed. He’s always been a scrappy player. He’d give the team 100 percent hustle every night he stepped onto the court. His willingness to outwork his opponent led to many extra possessions from the Jazz and many missed shots or turnovers for whoever Neto was lined up against.
Ekpe Udoh – Beijing Ducks
On the surface, Udoh’s numbers won’t excite you, and they may even lead you to wondering why he was on this list. He was arguably one of Utah’s most important bench players last season. Udoh was a pro’s pro. His role carried over from the previous season and it was understood clearly by him. He played just over 6 minutes per game, and his per game averages were 2.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and less than 2 assists. He also averages less than 1 block per game at 0.6. So what gives? Why is he on this list? Udoh’s importance last year was that he was always available to play a few minutes here or there, and that he was as professional of a person as they come. Udoh played in 62 percent of the team’s games and got really important minutes during the games when Gobert or Favors were injured.
Final Verdict:
I believe that Raul Neto will be missed the most from the team next season. His energy he brings along with his great attitude will be missed, but the biggest part of his game that will be missed will be his availability. I understand that he has had injury issues, and as a third string point guard, it wouldn’t normally be that big of a deal. Neto had an interesting situation. He played behind the oft-injured Dante Exum. As a Jazz fan all we’ve ever heard about is how great Dante can be when things click for him. He’s spent so much time rehabbing injuries though, that Neto has become the team’s backup point guard. With Mike Conley’s age, and the uncertainty of the other two point guards on the roster, Jazz fans can feel uneasy about the point guard situation moving forward. Neto was a rock you could for the most part rely on to bring it every night and outwork his opponents at every opportunity. He’ll be missed, but hopefully for the Jazz’s sake, not too much.
Jazz Fans 