The Utah Jazz have been determined to change things around in the midst of a losing skid. The team reportedly initially decided to bench veteran newcomer Mike Conley Jr. in favor of Royce O'Neale, yet the 13-year veteran soon found out his place in the lineup was safe, like if it was all a dream.
Head coach Quin Snyder had told Conley he would take on a bench role, but only a few hours later, it was lefty Aussie Joe Ingles who went to the bench, with Conley remaining as the starting point guard.
“I was told I was coming off the bench, and I took a nap and woke up and I was starting,” said Conley of the lineup shift snafu, according to Tony Jones of The Athletic. “It just happened that way. We have to take more advantage of our transition chances. We have to avoid having the basketball stick.”
Ingles had been struggling shooting the basketball — a recurring theme that is all too familiar for Jazz fans.
The swap for O'Neale would allow the Jazz to regain some defensive grip, some 3-point shooting, and the synergy they had with him at various moments throughout the season.
Conley has struggled to be the backcourt complement to Donovan Mitchell the front office had expected when trading for him this past summer. He showed so again on Wednesday, when Mitchell poured in a game-high 37 points and Conley shot 5-of-13 for 15 points, all coming on 3-point baskets.
Conley had a mere eight points and one assist in Monday's game against the Phoenix Suns, which would have justified his benching — yet it appears a second-thought from Snyder and his coaching staff have kept the lefty vet in the starting five after all.
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