Ron Mahoney Sports Illustrated article talking about Alec Burks

[Turkish Delight]

https://nba.si.com/2013/08/01/jeremy-lamb-donatas-motiejunas-alec-burks-byron-mullens-john-henson/?sct=nba_t11_a2&sct=hp_wr_a4&eref=sihp
Pretty good summary in my opinion, I agree with his thoughts on Burks' Defense. Will be interesting to see how he plays next to Burke and Hayward.
Here is the full text on Burks for those who don't want to read the whole article.

Alec Burks, Utah Jazz

"This summer, Utah parted ways with Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson and the very pretense of competing for a playoff spot immediately. The youth movement is in full force, and while prospects such as power forward Derrick Favors, center Enes Kanter and point guard Trey Burke will step into big roles for the Jazz, I’m particularly interested to see what third-year guard Burks does with the opportunity.

Burks, 22, the 12th pick in 2011, is already a decent perimeter shooter who gravitates toward the corners and navigates the baseline as a cutter well. He’s a good enough ball handler to make moves in transition or take advantage of lax defense, but he’s better suited for life off the ball. That could be a problem if he were expected to create more consistently, but Burks is set to fill a nice role in between the ball-dominant Burke and the more versatile Gordon Hayward in Utah’s perimeter rotation, from which he can space the floor and attack selectively.

He’ll need to work on his defense, though, as Burks reads help situations poorly and is still learning how to navigate screens. He’d benefit from not having to defend point guards on such a regular basis. When not trying to keep up with the super-quick, Burks did OK at keeping ball handlers in front of him and fighting to make up ground when his man got past him. He’s just susceptible to so many of the little quirks that plague young defenders — biting on pump fakes when trailing, digging down to help against a post player at the wrong moment, mishandling the process of going under a screen, etc. He can learn a bit by playing more, but Burks has to improve his fundamental understanding of defense if he’s ever going to be a starting-caliber player on a good team."

 

[LogGrad98]

Yep.

 

[candrew]

He’s just susceptible to so many of the little quirks that plague young defenders — biting on pump fakes when trailing, digging down to help against a post player at the wrong moment, mishandling the process of going under a screen, etc. He can learn a bit by playing more, but Burks has to improve his fundamental understanding of defense if he’s ever going to be a starting-caliber player on a good team."

This is what I've been saying about Burks' defense from day 1. The foundation is there he just needs to get out there and play. There is nothing in his game which makes me say that he can't hack it at this level defensively.

Some guys you see it right off the bat. I remember when Quincy Lewis came in the league it was glaringly obvious that he didn't have the foot speed to play the 2 at an NBA level. Or guys like Memo who just flat out refused to play help defense. Burks will never be a defensive stopper (there is no such animal anymore anyway) but he'll maintain once he gets the minutes.

 

[r_u_s_t_b_u_c_k_e_t]

As a rookie Burks drew 5.5 FTA per 36 minutes. Last season, just 4.1. Either the Jazz get that number back up again or they're stupid... is Crobin still the coach?

 

[loserslose]

I hope burks will be a inside-penetrating guy who scores 6-8 points by that, also 4-5 points from FTs and a rare outside shooting.Accumulated 14 points 3 rebs 3 asists would be enough for me

 

[Qman]

Everyone I know of has always said that Burks has the tools to be a very good NBA player. Perhaps better than a good NBA player. His offensive game has progressed to the point it works in the Jazz team concept. He needs to continue to improve his outside shot but he is definitely useful on offense.

On defense he plays pretty well 1 on 1. He gets lost on screens and off the ball. He needs to do more preparation to know opponents tendenicies.

Personally I think is going to marginally improve on D and become more consistent on O. Which would make him a rotation guy.

 

[Deleted member 848]

He's already averaging 7ppg off of <20 mpg. 12-13 is most certainly not outside of his ability, with an expanded role.

 

[fishonjazz]

I think burks can be a great scorer if given the opportunity.
He has the speed, quickness, ball handling, ability to adjust in the air, and finishing ability, and athleticism to be amazing at attacking the rim (maybe just needs a to add strength to get to the young d-wade level).
His outside shot has improved a ton, to the point where it is not really even a weakness anymore (still not a strength though either)
He could be a better facilitator but that is burke and haywards job anyway.... I want to see him aggressively trying to be a scorer.

His rebounding instincts are amazing for his position (especially on the offensive glass) and he has enough length and jumping ability to be one of the best rebounding 2 guards in the league.

Defensively he has all the tools to be good enough.... by far his 2 biggest weaknesses on D are guarding too far out on the perimeter (coach might be telling him to do this for some reason) and he is horrible at reading/fighting through screens.

If burks get enough minutes I think he will be in the discussions for most improved player in the league

 

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I want to see the coaches put Alec in position to do two things well: score, and guard his natural position. I appreciate his development so far; he needed to be more well-rounded in order to capitalize on his strengths. But now it's time to see what he can do with a more intense focus on scoring (via attacking the rim). Make the game easier for him by putting him in his best spots. They haven't done very much of this, imo.

 

[fishonjazz]

I want to see the coaches put Alec in position to do two things well: score, and guard his natural position. I appreciate his development so far; he needed to be more well-rounded in order to capitalize on his strengths. But now it's time to see what he can do with a more intense focus on scoring (via attacking the rim). Make the game easier for him by putting him in his best spots. They haven't done very much of this, imo.

100% agree with alla dis

 

[green]

I want to see the coaches put Alec in position to do two things well: score, and guard his natural position. I appreciate his development so far; he needed to be more well-rounded in order to capitalize on his strengths. But now it's time to see what he can do with a more intense focus on scoring (via attacking the rim). Make the game easier for him by putting him in his best spots. They haven't done very much of this, imo.

I agree. That's why I bring him off the bench and start Hayward and Rush.

 

[Jeffrey32]

I thought his man-to-man defense was one of the best on the team. Help defense is mostly about communication, and I think as a starter, he will have the confidence to be more vocal. For me, the question is can he play within the offense. I would like to see him come off the curl like Harpring and use backdoor cuts like Brewer. If he did just those two things very well, and shot over 35% from 3, watch out! Then, when a play breaks down, he can drive to the basket and make something happen one-on-one.

 

[Stoked]

I agree. That's why I bring him off the bench and start Hayward and Rush.

This is what I see. Favors, Kanter, Rush, Hayward an Bruke start and Burks is the 6th man.

 

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I don't understand the argument that bringing him off the bench will help him. It may be the case that Rush is a better fit with the other starters, but it is most cetainly the case that playing alongside Hayward, Burke, Favors, and Kanter would be better than playing alongside scrub A through D. Who'll give him room to work in that lineup? ****, fellas. ****.

 

[NUMBERICA]

I thought his man-to-man defense was one of the best on the team.

Aggressiveness can be as much your enemy as your friend when it comes to basketball. If you are aggressive without being smart, you're usually hurting yourself and your team. This aspect is something Burks needs to improve considerably.

 

[NUMBERICA]

I don't understand the argument that bringing him off the bench will help him. It may be the case that Rush is a better fit with the other starters, but it is most cetainly the case that playing alongside Hayward, Burke, Favors, and Kanter would be better than playing alongside scrub A through D. Who'll give him room to work in that lineup? ****, fellas. ****.

That, and the necessity for him to learn to play better with and off others isn't as much there and I'm pretty sure that that (being told to become a chucker instead of not become one, essentially) is not a good thing.

 

[green]

What in the hell do you guys want? Do you want Burks to be in a position to utilize his skills and have a chance to be the most successful or do you want him to be the fourth/fifth option on offense? You can't have it both ways.

 

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What in the hell do you guys want? Do you want Burks to be in a position to utilize his skills and have a chance to be the most successful or do you want him to be the fourth/fifth option on offense? You can't have it both ways.

Critical thinking has never been your strong suit.

But, I guess ur right cuz that startin lineup is gonna scure like 124 points a game no probs who needs Burks lol?!!!1!!!

 

[green]

I don't understand the argument that bringing him off the bench will help him. It may be the case that Rush is a better fit with the other starters, but it is most cetainly the case that playing alongside Hayward, Burke, Favors, and Kanter would be better than playing alongside scrub A through D. Who'll give him room to work in that lineup? ****, fellas. ****.

Uh....you bag on me? Lol. So, you start by saying Rush will be a better starter. Then you say that playing with three guys who will get the ball more than he will (maybe four guys) will put him in a better position to attack the rim then having him play with scrubs where he can dominate the ball and attack the rim.

Comprehension my friend. Like I said, you can't have it both ways. You can't have him be a defender/corner 3 guy with the starters and put him in situations to best utilize his talents. His talents are better suited coming off the bench.

So, you can utilize his talents AND take advantage of Rush's (good three point shooter/defender) or put Rush and Burks in a position where neither is fully taking advantage of their skills.

Easy decision.

 

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You whiffffff so god damn hard it's hilarious.