This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Monday night was the first time during the preseason the Jazz saw the immense ceiling of Joel Bolomboy in a game setting.
In that comeback 96-94 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, the rookie out of Weber State announced himself as a guy capable of coming off the bench and making an impact.
Bolomboy played much of the fourth quarter. He showed infectious energy defensively. He rebounded the ball. He finished at the basket, and his rebound dunk late in the game — complete with a primal scream — put a punctuation mark on Utah's rally.
"I'm just trying to figure out how to stay ready," Bolomboy said. "My job is to be ready to play whenever I'm called upon, and then come in and play as hard as I can."
When the Jazz lost Trevor Booker to free agency, what they lost was the raw athleticism and hustle that every team can use in spurts.
Booker had been a master at changing games by diving into the crowd, or grabbing the big rebound, or coming up with a huge dunk to fire the crowd up.
Bolomboy is Utah's most obvious candidate to fill that spot. He's not as polished as Booker, and won't be in the rotation as often as Booker. But like Booker could sit for 30 minutes, come off the bench cold and play well for 10 minutes, Bolomboy did just that against the Clippers.
His play in Monday's game earned Bolomboy rotation minutes in the first quarter of Wednesday's game against the Phoenix Suns, ahead of Jeff Withey.
"I feel like I'm starting to get more comfortable as each day passes," Bolomboy said. "The main thing I have to do is stick to my strengths. I have to stay ready, be able to come in and play hard and provide the team with energy. That's the big thing."
Early struggles
After three road games to begin the preseason, Jazz players and coaches expressed excitement at finally playing a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Players took to social media on Wednesday afternoon, imploring fans to show up and be loud. The Jazz unleashed a new in-game DJ — local legend DJ Juggy. And the new court with the new Jazz logo made its initial appearance.
"We couldn't wait for a home game," Utah forward Boris Diaw said. "Especially after three games in a row away from home."
New guy blues
Joe Johnson, entering Vivint Smart Home Arena for the first time as a home player, made his way to the Phoenix Suns locker room upon his entrance. Realizing he was lost, Jazz personnel directed him to the right spot.
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