Throughout the course of last week, the Utah Jazz went 3-0 which adds up to a nine-game win streak. The week was also highlighted by Joe Ingles, a regular man’s Hero, as nearly every day turned into something significant about our dude. With hindsight, I deem it Jinglin’ Joe Appreciation Week as he demonstrated every aspect of why Utah loves him: service, toughness, and threes.
ICYMI: The Rockets and Warriors are the cream of the crop in the NBA, and specifically in the Western Conference. After that, however, you’ll find a vicious race for playoff positioning from teams 3rd-10th, that flip-flops on the daily. I teamed up with Jesse Thayne, from the J-Notes and The Jazz Note Blog, to look at who challenges the Jazz en route to playoff seeding. Who gets in, and maybe more importantly, who actually has a shot versus the best of the west? Find out here.
Also, one time my wife made me a Joe Ingles cake for my birthday and it was awesome and he replied to the cake picture with a thumbs up which was even more awesome. So, obviously, I think he is awesome. OK, let’s do this.
I think @Joeingles7 and @colton_devries4 will like my birthday cake the most. #takenote pic.twitter.com/YPKvPlFgoM
— Steve Godfrey (@JazzJunkie12) November 20, 2017
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The Service
Landon Carter, age 10, was born legally blind without irises. He can see things that are super up close to him, but everything else is a blur. Take a minute to visualize that; living in Utah that means no fall canyon colors, no winter snow flurries, no red and orange sunsets, and no Jazz games. Last April, Landon and his Dad came to a Jazz game where they hooked Landon up with special goggles to watch the game live and without a blur or hiccup. Unfortunately for the Carters, the goggles stay at the arena to help others who are visually impaired.
That’s where Ingles stepped in. Joe forked out $10,000 to give a personal pair of electronic glasses from eSight as a gift to his buddy. Before the game on Thursday night vs the Suns, Joe met with Landon for an hour as the two are now friends. Then, Landon got a front row view – in every definition of the word – to watch Joe light it up.
Papa Carter said: “The level of him (Joe Ingles) giving back to the community is huge. It’s not just, ‘Here’s a few dollars,’ it’s being invested in the community and really giving back.”
Joe Ingles said: “He’s (Landon) just a regular kid, and wants to play like the rest of the kids and sit in the back of class — to be able to give an opportunity to do that was just something I couldn’t not do. To be able to walk down the street and look at the trees or see his friends, it means a lot. It was awesome to see him and his dad. Pretty special.”
Landon Carter said: “He’s a great shooter. That’s what I really like about him. And he’s just, like, really, really nice.”
Nothing warms a father’s heart more than knowing your son has a hero that is such an amazing person. Joe has been so gracious and has empowered Landon to do things he’s never done before! Thanks again Joe! @Joeingles7 @utahjazz pic.twitter.com/towxIPqXFY
— Jeff Carter (@jeffcarterux) March 16, 2018
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The Toughness
In that same game that Landon was able to watch, Joe Ingles did a little bit of everything as he finished with 17 points in 31 minutes and two rebounds and three assists, too. The Jazz were a +24 with Ingles on the court. His biggest contribution, in my opinion, didn’t show up in the box score.
As Ricky Rubio was blindsided, again, Joe Ingles, as usual, was the first to show up and stick up for his teammate. Notice how he jumps over players to confront Chriss, notice how he has to be bear-hugged by a coach, notice how he applauds once Chriss and Dudley are ejected. Simply: notice his passion.
Look, I’m not condoning violence or whatever, but I do love players who stick up for their teammates. As a biased Jazz fan, it seems like we get bullied and picked on a regular basis. Is it because we are in Utah, small market? Is it because we get under other’s skins with annoying defense and explosive offense? Is it because we have a chip on our shoulder, some attitude? Is it because we are an international roster? Whatever it is, we are taking some heat and I love that Quin Snyder is talking about it and that Joe Ingles wants to do something about it.
What makes it all the more meaningful to me is that this is an inherent attribute with Joe. He doesn’t hesitate. He doesn’t wait. It’s his initial reaction because he is physical, tough but also supportive and caring towards those in his corner. It’s who he is to stand up for someone he cares about.
The Threes
A few days later, vs the Kings of Sacramento, Joe Ingles made Utah Jazz history with a simple flick of the wrist. Joe did what he does best – hit a three, but this one was especially timely, with three minutes left in a close game, and gave Utah just enough umph to get over the hump and get another victory.
The three was also his 179th of the season.
Randy Foye set the franchise record in 2012/13 when he connected on 178 triples, but with the way Ingles has shot this year it was bound to be broken. Ingles is currently leading the NBA in his deep shot marksmanship, as he hits on 45% of his attempts. It’s the highest percentage of his career, which is all the more impressive when you realize he is shooting more threes a game than any other year, too. In fact, last year Joe shot 44% on three threes a game whereas now he is at 45% on nearly six triples a game. He loves drifting to the corner and popping that left elbow out for a deep swish.
When you break his shot selection down further, you learn that Joe indeed loves the three but now the stats back it up. He hoists up a triple 68% of the time. Most of those deep bombs are catch and shoot – 51% and connected on 2/4.3 a game. NBA Stats also proves his quick release as he shoots without a dribble 52% of the time and within two seconds of catching the ball 55% of the time.
With 12 games to go, I wonder two things. One, can Donovan Mitchell also break the previous record of 178 and cement himself as #2? Mitchell is currently fourth all time with 159, which means he’d break the number if he gets two a game the rest of the way. I also wonder if Joe can get to 200. He needs 21 more, with 12 games to get there. Should be easy, peasy, lemon squeezy as he averages 2.5 made triples a game.
PS- for a humble perspective, Steph Curry holds the All-Time NBA record for threes in a season with 402. He’s also the second place with 324. And the third place with 286. Joe Ingles current number of 179 puts him at 139th All-Time, tied with James Harden in 2012/13, Steve Nash in 07/08, and Nick Anderson of 1994/95. #TheMoreYouKnow
What’s Next?
Joe and the Jazz take on the Hawks (at home on Tuesday), the Mavs (in Dallas on Thursday), the Spurs (in San Antonio on Friday), and then the Warriors (on Sunday in Golden State). The first two games should be gimmies and I expect the Jazz to do their job, much like last week against others of the lottery.
San Antonio is tricky. A new rumor about Kawhi Leonard and his return surface daily, so who knows about him at this point. The Spurs are 5-5 in their last ten, after a bit of a free fall, but are now winners of three straight. Despite winning three against SA this year, I still am not used to the Jazz beating the boys of Black and Silver, so I am not expecting a win Friday night.
Golden State by name seems insurmountable, but they are struggling with injuries right now. Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant could all still be in suit and ties by the time Sunday’s date with Utah occurs. However, without the three superstars on Saturday night, Draymond Green scored 25 points and the Dubs won 124-109. However, however, the night before that they lost to Sacramento. It’s hard to tell if they are just disinterested and eager for April and the playoff quest to begin, or somewhat vulnerable. Nonetheless, I won’t pick against them at home on a Sunday, meaning the Jazz go 2-2 this week.
Photo courtesy of @windowsofangels. Be sure to find and follow their portraits on Instragram.
Steve Godfrey Writes 
Great article Steve! Love Joe and this whole team!
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