Meanwhile, soon-to-be sophomore Udoka Azubuike may see increased responsibility in situations where Gobert needs rest, and the Jazz need a conventional 5. At 6’8 and 250 pounds, the man otherwise known as “Big Truck” certainly fits the bill, and his career 35% mark from three-point range will stretch defenses in five-out lineups. With Favors having been recently jettisoned to the Thunder in what was effectively a salary dump, Head Coach Quin Snyder may look to deploy some small ball lineups with Gay at the 5 in a similar fashion as the Clippers this season. The gamble paid off, as the Clippers shot a blistering 43.3% from deep throughout the series with neither Rudy Gobert nor Derrick Favors able to consistently close out three-point attempts. In last season’s Western Conference semi-finals, the Jazz’s lack of positional versatility was exposed by the Los Angeles Clippers, as they played forward Nicolas Batum for extended stretches at the 5 position. Last season, Gay contributed an impressive 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 1.2 steals per 36 minutes for the San Antonio Spurs. Gay, a 15-year NBA veteran, fills a vital need for the Jazz as a backup 4 and potential small ball 5.
