Utah Jazz 2016-17 season review: Jeff Withey
By Adam Coffman
Jeff Withey’s second year with the Utah Jazz was characterized by low minutes. What should we remember from his 2016-17 season?
As a backup on a team stocked at his position, Jeff Withey had a limited 2016-17 season in terms of making an impact on the court.
The Utah Jazz ran out a strong front line this season consisting of Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors, Boris Diaw and others who all contributed in big ways to a landmark 50-win season.
Withey’s minutes mostly went as Gobert and Favors’ did, which meant he was often stuck watching his teammates do work.
The Jazz certainly prefer this eventuality to any case in which either of the main cogs were injured, but it does leave us wondering what Withey could do given a longer leash. Not many teams roster two legitimate seven-footers as the Jazz do with Gobert and Withey. Perhaps by design, this has led to them taking on somewhat similar roles, as we’ll cover.
Playing in 8.5 minutes per game, Withey averaged just one point and 2.4 rebounds per game. The low scoring output is partially due to his role but also a result of his somewhat-limited repertoire.
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In evaluating his season, we’ll look at his strengths and weaknesses, as well as what he and the Jazz can look for moving forward. Without further ado, let’s get into it!