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There's no doubt that stars Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan fueled the Toronto Raptors last season. But for Steve Novak, the team's run to the playoffs also highlighted the importance of something else.
"Really, last year was probably the biggest year I saw the importance of a bench," the veteran forward said. "When I was in Toronto, before we made the trade, our bench wasn't as strong."
The deal that sent Rudy Gay to Sacramento helped solidify the Raptors' roster, setting them up for their best season in years.
"We went from a team that had a couple pieces to a team with a very deep bench," Novak said.
Now in Utah, Novak is part of a retooled Jazz bench from a season ago. And while Novak isn't making comparisons to his old squad, he sees some promise among his new team's reserves.
"I don't think we probably have the deepest bench in the league here," Novak said following practice Saturday afternoon. "But we have guys that can definitely come in and do things and be effective."
Novak was brought in from Canada to provide shooting. Rudy Gobert, a year older and stronger, is developing into a critical piece of the Jazz's defense. Forward Trevor Booker, an offseason signing from Washington, brings effort and energy. And the Jazz's two first-round draft picks, Dante Exum and Rodney Hood, bring youth and potential.
How will that translate on the court?
That, of course, remains to be seen.
So far, in two preseason victories, new Jazz coach Quin Snyder has relied quite heavily on his starters. On Thursday, the Utah reserves chipped in just 18 points in a 109-105 win over Portland.
Add to the equation that Hood and guard Ian Clark have both been held out of the preseason action thus far with injuries and too many questions remain for any sweeping proclamations to be made.
"We haven't really had a [bench] unit yet but their individual contributions have been good," Snyder said.
The coach is also unsure how he will balance his lineups among starters and reserves at this point.
"It really depends," he said. "It could be both. If you have a real clear five-man unit, then it makes sense to do that. I think it's too early for us right now to know exactly how we're going to use our bench and rotations and time."
Last season, with veteran forwards Richard Jefferson and Marvin Williams regular in the team's starting five, the Jazz bench was buoyed by the efforts of Alec Burks (14 ppg) and Enes Kanter (12.3 ppg). This season, both Kanter and Burks have graduated into the starting lineup.
Still, Booker believes the team's bench will be fine.
"The bench, we're going to have to come together and get that chemistry going," he said. "We're not playing bad right now. But it can be better. … Hopefully, we can get the scoring going. But if anything, we're going to play defense and bring some energy."
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