The Jazz’s new signings spoke to the media for the first time.
It’s almost consensus. Out West, the Jazz won the first couple days of the offseason.
Utah Jazz General Manager Justin Zanik and VP of Basketball Operations Dennis Lindsey introduced Mike Conley and Bojan Bogdanović at the Encore Ballroom in Las Vegas.
“When you have an opportunity to add players of this caliber, let alone their character…sure. You always want to be if you can top 10 or at least top 5 in offensive efficiency and defensive efficiency. When we have that opportunity to improve the team, we’re going to go for it,” Zanik said when asked if the Jazz sacrificed defense in their acquisitions.
Utah hasn’t registered a top 5 offensive rating since 2007-08 under Jerry Sloan (1st). Defensively, the Jazz ranked top 5 in each of the last three years. Zanik cited Conley and Bogdanovic’s success with the the Grizzlies (9th defensive rating in 2018-19) and Pacers (3rd).
Conley comes to Utah at the end of the ‘Grit and Grind’ era in Memphis. Bogdanović is coming off career high numbers in points (18) and three point shooting percentage (42%) because Indiana’s injuries thrust him to be the first option. Both see their additions vaulting the Jazz to contender status.
Dennis Lindsey thanked Ricky Rubio, Kyle Korver, Grayson Allen, Derrick Favors, Jae Crowder, Raul Neto, and Ekpe Udoh for their time in Utah.
