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SALT LAKE CITY — Joe Ingles' game can speak for itself.
He just doesn't always let it.
For eight seasons with the Utah Jazz, the quick-talking Ingles got under the skin of just about everyone he went against. He famously angered Paul George during a playoff series, was heard yelling "you're a flopper" to Blake Griffin, and even blew a kiss to opposing fans after hitting a shot.
So what did the former Jazz forward have in store for his old team on Friday in his first game back to Vivint Arena since being traded last season?
He made some remarks to Udoka Azubuike after hitting a 3-pointer in his former teammate's face, he pointed to the Jazz bench after hitting another 3-pointer in the second, and he had some side conversations with Jazz coach Will Hardy.
As for the game itself, well, it was clear early that it wasn't going to be Utah's night. The undermanned Jazz didn't have near enough talent to keep up with the best team in basketball in a 144-116 blowout victory by the Milwaukee Bucks.
Ingles had 6 points and six assists in 22 minutes.
The lopsided affair had fans heading to exit well before the final buzzer, but those same fans gave Ingles a hero's welcome back. After a video tribute was played that chronicled Ingles' long run in Utah, the fans rose to their feet and gave the former Jazz forward a rousing ovation. Ingles, with a wide smile on his face, waved and pointed to the crowd in response.
"It's obviously a place that's always gonna be special for our family and to me," Ingles said on Friday morning.
Ingles came to Utah as a journeyman 27-year-old, who was likely on his last chance to make an NBA roster. He developed into a key piece on a perennial playoff team; and he won lifelong fans in Utah with his slow-mo style of play, his shooting and his dry wit.
"I wanted to play here my whole career," he said. "I thought I was going to; that was the intention. My family grew up here."
In some ways, it still feels like home. He mentioned how his kids think it's normal to have snow during Christmas due to their years in Utah ("They're gonna get a rude shock when we go to Australia," Ingles said). When his daughter found out they were going back to Salt Lake City, she wanted to know if she could see her school friends.
"We had a great time here," Ingles said. "We, obviously, had a hell of a run. At some point, they always come to an end, and ours did."
He quickly added, though, that it wasn't the players' choice to end the team. There's only three members of the Jazz left from the time Ingles was in Utah — Jordan Clarkson, Rudy Gay and Azubuike — only Azubuike played on Friday, which was something that did bum Ingles out a bit.
He and Clarkson grew extremely close during their time together in Utah, and Ingles even said he has a framed picture of them hugging on the court.
"I would have liked to have put him in a couple of pick and rolls," Ingles said.
As for the new team, Ingles said he was happy to see the Jazz be competitive.
"They've got a plan in place," Ingles said. "Obviously, they got some really good players back that have had great years. JC has had a great year, a great coach, they got all the picks, and the young guys; they're going to be good pretty soon. I'm, obviously, happy for him and definitely have no ill feelings or anything towards anyone here. I loved my time here."
As for the new coach, he and Hardy actually have built a relationship through the years. The two met through Ingles' Australian national teammate and former Spurs guard Patty Mills and, according to Hardy, "bonded over sarcasm."
"It'll be fun to coach against him for the first time," Hardy said before the game. "So it'll be fun to see him out there on the court. Obviously, happy for him that he's gotten back healthy."
So what were Ingles best moments in Utah?
He mentioned the first Autism awareness game after his son was diagnosed to be on the spectrum, the playoff battle with Oklahoma City, and the first playoff series win over the LA Clippers (the team that had cut him before he came to Utah).
Friday's game might be added to the list.
