The Post Game Returns To The Utah Jazz
Dec 14, 2020, 6:20 PM
Bojan Bogdanovic #44 of the Utah Jazz drives past Abdel Nader #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 9, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The 2020-21 NBA season may mark the return of the post-up game to the Utah Jazz offense. With Bojan Bogdanovic healthy and back in the lineup, and the addition of rookie Udoka Azubuike, the Jazz have two players capable of scoring in the low post.
Fans have long clamored for Rudy Gobert to ad a back to the basket move to his game. The team worked on it with Derrick Favors, but more regularly utilized his faceup game.
But in the team’s first preseason exhibition, both Bogdanovic and Azubuike saw low post touches. The Croatian forward went 1-2 on first-half post-ups, while Azubuike connected on his only attempt.
Quin Snyder on Udoka Azubuike's post up game which was effective at Kansas.
"His ability to do that is something that he'll have those opportunities in games … if there's a matchup situation that's really what dictates the post up."pic.twitter.com/6zFkil8A4B
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) December 15, 2020
“You almost see as many smalls posting up as bigs,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said of the NBA’s move away from the post-up game. “If there’s a matchup situation that’s really what dictates the post-up.”
At 6’8 and 225 pounds, Bogdanovic has the ability to matchup against smaller wings when he draws the matchup. At 7’0 and 260 pounds, Azubuike is a mismatch physically against most NBA players.
“Dok’s ability to finish at the rim, whether it’s on a post-up or an offensive rebound, or out of a pick and roll is something that has been a strength of his,” Snyder says.
Bogdanovic drops 32! 🔥@44Bojan tallies 32 PTS on 12-18 shooting as the @utahjazz win their 5th consecutive game! #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/E0iQY3fpXI
— NBA (@NBA) March 8, 2020
As the team’s third-string center, Azubuike’s opportunities to get low post looks may be few and far between. For Bogdanovic however, it’s been a point of emphasis.
I’m trying to work on my post-game,” Bogdanovic said. “They showed me the numbers, that I was efficient last season, so we’re going to try to work more to put me in position to post.”
The Jazz will get an opportunity to continue to develop their post-game Monday night against the Phoenix Suns. Azubuike will be available to play after being listed as questionable in the team’s initial injury report.
The two teams tip-off at 7 pm MT, the game will be broadcast on AT&T SportsNet and NBATV.
