Game #31. Jazz at Memphis. Monday 6pm mtn

[franklin]

it isn't true that Burks MUST have the ball in his hands to be effective. and, it isn't true that playing off-the-ball means chucking jumpers.

Burks could be very good as:
1. a guy who works in "catch and scramble" situations
2. a ball handler in secondary PnR situations
(3. his shooting isn't that bad)

The bench has been good for him. But I'd like to see him in the starting lineup.

Why?

 

[GVC]

it isn't true that Burks MUST have the ball in his hands to be effective. and, it isn't true that playing off-the-ball means chucking jumpers.

Burks could be very good as:
1. a guy who works in "catch and scramble" situations
2. a ball handler in secondary PnR situations
(3. his shooting isn't that bad)

The bench has been good for him. But I'd like to see him in the starting lineup.

Before last game, he was getting plenty of minutes with the other starters closing. Burke-Burks-Hayward have played 10 minutes per game together over 16 games. If the Jazz had someone else who could score on-ball, it'd be ok for him to start. The advantages of him coming off the bench, both for the defense (Hayward can slide to the 2) and bench offense, are just too great to make a change IMO. I think we'll continue to see Burks get 30+ minutes and close in most games, which is good.

 

[GVC]

It's probably worth mentioning that RJ's minutes have gone from 29.9 in November to 22.7 in December. Alec's have gone from 26.0 in November to 28.0 in December. Alec's also "closed" 5 of the 8 non-blowout (decided by 11 points or fewer) games in December (6 of 9 if you include the 16 point loss to San Antonio; 5 of 7 if you don't include the 11 point loss to Portland).

 

[One Brow]

One more consideration:

If the primary goal of the tank is a Wiggins/Parker/etc. SF, doens't that automatically put Burks on the bench next year?

 

[GVC]

One more consideration:

If the primary goal of the tank is a Wiggins/Parker/etc. SF, doens't that automatically put Burks on the bench next year?

You could argue that Parker should start as a stretch 4. In that case, Enes is back on the bench (or traded). With that said, Parker at the 4 would give the Jazz yet another player who excels with the ball in his hands, which makes Burks off the bench more of a no-brainer.