This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Joe Ingles has been cut twice by the Golden State Warriors.

He's been let go by the Los Angeles Clippers.

They say the ability to stick in the NBA requires time. It requires patience, being in the right situation at the right time and maybe even a little luck.

All of this applies to Joe Ingles, the "veteran" rookie of the Utah Jazz. With Alec Burks hurt for the season and Rodney Hood down for the immediate future, Joe Ingles is the man at shooting guard, the proverbial "next man up".

He's got the opportunity to show Utah brass that he can be a long term piece for the future, and that he belongs in the league. He's played well to this point, but if the Jazz are to improve upon a 14-27 record, he's got to show consistency and the ability to produce on both ends.

Joe Ingles is a passer first, second and perhaps third, which isn't a bad thing. He's what you call the consummate "glue" guy. Still, the Jazz could use a little bit more scoring from him. Right now, the bulk of the perimeter points lies at the feet of Gordon Hayward and Trey Burke. For the Jazz to be successful going forward, Ingles has to make a dent there as well.

The good news? He's been much less hesitant to take open shots than he was at the beginning of the season. He's crafty off the dribble, able to get into the lane and find open guys.

For the last month, Ingles was seen as a stopgap, a place-holder until Hood came back. Now - with his foot issues - Ingles has to be seen as more of a fixture.

Tony Jones