The most surprising player from each NBA team this season
By Connor Learn
Utah Jazz: Joe Ingles
Australian native Joe Ingles began his professional basketball career back in 2006. He played in Australia before getting a couple of chances to play with the Warriors Summer League teams in 2009 and 2010. When no NBA offer materialized, it looked as if he was destined to not cut it in the United States. Ingles went and played the next four seasons in Spain and Israel. After winning a Euroleague Championship and playing well for the Australian national team in 2014, he was given another NBA look.
The Los Angeles Clippers brought Joe Ingles in and cut him fairly early into camp. When the Utah Jazz claimed Ingles off waivers, some thought it to be a move to help make fellow Australian Dante Exum adjust. He ended up starting 32 games for the Jazz that first season. A smart decision-maker, decent shooter, and acceptable defender, Ingles didn’t leave much of an impression with his playing time. Ingles played even less last season and didn’t look the part of an NBA rotation player.
Utah added Joe Johnson this offseason into a wing rotation that already included Gordon Hayward, Rodney Hood, and Alec Burks. As a result, it was assumed that Joe Ingles would no longer have to play rotation minutes and his roster spot could even be in jeopardy. Ingles has responded with the best basketball of his career. The 29-year-old is turning in high level role player minutes for the Jazz this season and has helped them through a number of injuries. He ranks second in the league in 3-point shooting percentage (44.4 percent) and has held his own on defense. Ingles has responded when his team has needed him to.