Power ranking NBA Western Conference shooting guards

3. Rodney Hood, Utah Jazz

If you’ve heard news about the Utah Jazz over the past two seasons as a casual NBA fan, or a SportsCenter viewer, that news has probably been focused mostly on injuries. Whether it be Rudy Gobert last year, Derrick Favors this year, Dante Exum last year, Alec Burks both years, or Gordon Haywood both years, Utah has had some awful luck.

Constant and unwavering amid a roster falling apart around him, Hood has played his game and continued to get better every season.

This year, Hood is up to 17.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 37 percent on 3-pointers per 36 minutes. The Jazz are +4.0 points per 100 possessions when Hood is on the court, the highest mark of his career. Utah has succeeded in the draft by continually nailing late-lottery do-it-alls, and Hood may represent their greatest success.

Without a point guard last year, Hood often handled the ball and initiated the offense. This year, with both Hayward and new acquisition George Hill healthy, he has more often moved without the ball, and he has accordingly upped his volume and efficiency on threes.

He could get to the line more to further diversify his offensive game inside the arc, but he seldom turns the ball over and makes things happen with the ball in his hands.

Similarly, there is a nitpicking possibility in his lack of turnover creation on the defensive end despite his long and athletic frame. Yet he uses that body nicely to stay with ball-handlers and affect drives to the hoop consistently.

Hood is as well-rounded as they come in a league that continues to emphasize versatility and malleability.