Udoh needs 10 MPG consistently every night. I don't necessarily mean that Udoh needs consistent minutes, but rather the Jazz need his consistent minutes. His defensive presence is not just good or helpful, but impactful and elite. The biggest challenge is his offensive ineptitude, so it's really more a matter of figuring out a way to mitigate those issues in ways that get him on the court. Having a quality stretch 4 to pair with him helps, but we don't really have that, at least not in terms of the one that would enable him to get more floor time. This isn't a knock on Favors, and this is not a blame to Favors (Favors is a solid player who almost never makes mistakes), but we're plugging Favors into this backup 5 role to maintain floor time for him. Udoh is the only other guy we've had who can protect the paint with Rudy not on the floor, plus he can't be targeted for a switch (well, he can, but it doesn't work for the other team).
If we want to maintain defensive identity, and not drop off when Rudy sits, then Udoh has to play. We have to find the minutes for him.
Ekpe FTW
P.S. He needs to be re-signed this summer.
If we want to maintain defensive identity, and not drop off when Rudy sits, then Udoh has to play. We have to find the minutes for him.
Ekpe FTW
P.S. He needs to be re-signed this summer.