Photo Credit: AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Joe Ingles – From Being A Clippers Reject To Becoming The Clippers’ Kryptonite

The boys from down under are making some noise in the NBA playoffs. Since 2013, there hasn’t been an NBA champion without an Australian player on the roster, and San Antonio Spurs point guard Patty Mills isn’t the only one grabbing attention in the postseason. The Aussies are booming, and with number one overall pick in last year’s draft Ben Simmons set to take on the league next campaign, it is a golden age for Australian basketball at the NBA level.

The Aussies have been fantastic, and Utah Jazz swingman Joe Ingles has been a prime example of the rise and high caliber of players coming to US shores from the other side of the world. Ingles has been impressive for the Jazz all season long, and has been an important cog in their much anticipated return to the playoffs this postseason. The Jazz utility has taken his regular season form into the playoffs, and has been a key figure in fiercely contested first-round matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers so far.

As it stands, the series is tied at two games apiece, and Ingles was at the heart of everything good for Quin Snyder’s men in Game 4. The 29-year-old collected a career-high 11 assists as well as dropping eight points and pulling down six rebounds. He also registered two steals and a block on the evening, highlighting his usefulness on both ends during the victory. Ingles played 37 minutes on the night, which only trailed starting point guard George Hill’s 40 minutes.

The Australian international has been gaining some attention in the American media as of late, but individuals from his home-land down under were already well aware of his talents and ability. Ironically enough, Ingles was waived by those very same Clippers organization back in 2013. Unfortunately for him, his wife was eagerly on her way to the US to see him play in the NBA for the first time, but she would have to wait.

After being released by the Clippers, Ingles career was at a cross-roads as he deliberated about going back home to play professionally in Australia again. He didn’t give up however, and continued to fight for his NBA dream. After many hardships including attending the Olympic Games this past summer whilst his wife was expecting to give birth, Ingles is finally flourishing within the association, and getting much deserved plaudits for it.

He continues to go from strength to strength, and has developed into one of the better “glue” guys within the league. The Jazz coaching staff love his competitive edge, and he has quickly transformed into a crowd favorite.

He’s currently averaging 8.5 points per game, 4.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and two steals whilst shooting 40% from downtown in the series.

It looks as though Ingles may be coming back to haunt his former employer, and the two dagger three-pointers to seal the win for the Jazz in Game 4 shows just that.