Locke was wrong.

[CitizenofCapua]

We can't live, and die with every mistake they make.

This.

 

[vegas]

Good points here, trying to put a circle where a square belongs, coming along with the offense, looks held back. I would add that he is learning when to take the ball to the rim, he goes head down sometimes into a sea of opponents and commits a TO as a result.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Not a PG. I guess he can play it when need be, but we will be better off with an actual backup PG (one that can actually shooter and not a dinosaur).

The biggest problem is ball handling. Also, being a PG takes away from his biggest strengths. He just isn't that fast dribbling the basketball, but he does have a nice 1st step off the catch.

ALSO, I think it would have been sweet to post Burks up last night. There were a couple of times Burks entered the ball to Jefferson nearly 20 feet away from the rim, the paint was relatively free, Burks cuts into the paint, then leaves. I felt like he could have posted Thomas and gotten a lot of easy buckets or forced the defense to collapse.

 

[Hartsock]

There were also 3 or 4 times Burks was wide open on that flex cut right under the hoop and whomever had the ball at the top of the key ... foye, williams, sap, tinsley missed him

 

[Dr. Jones]

I think generally some people get confused between a true PG and someone who has the ability to bring the ball up the court and pass the ball to the next guy.
This is Alec .. which with some teams can be sufficient, but not normally the case.

I much prefer a PG that understands the playbook, cold. One that can not only get the ball over half court, but read the defense while doing so and already have several plays in mind .. playing chess on the court. Then, if all else fails .. call a play, direct the offense, shoot the gaps, and make the pass to complete the play.

Elementary, I know.. but some people need to hear that it's more than being able to just bring the ball up and have a cross over.

 

[Hartsock]

I think generally some people get confused between a true PG and someone who has the ability to bring the ball up the court and pass the ball to the next guy.
This is Alec .. which with some teams can be sufficient, but not normally the case.

I much prefer a PG that understands the playbook, cold. One that can not only get the ball over half court, but read the defense while doing so and already have several plays in mind .. playing chess on the court. Then, if all else fails .. call a play, direct the offense, shoot the gaps, and make the pass to complete the play.

Elementary, I know.. but some people need to hear that it's more than being able to just bring the ball up and have a cross over.

He didnt look so hot just bringing the ball across half court either though. Especially when its only against the great jimmer and baby IT.

 

[candrew]

There were also 3 or 4 times Burks was wide open on that flex cut right under the hoop and whomever had the ball at the top of the key ... foye, williams, sap, tinsley missed him

I'm glad I'm not the only one who saw that - these guys are at the top of the key to pass the ball; which makes me wonder if they're just going through the motion sometimes. Or maybe they stopped looking for cutters because no one cuts when Al is in the game.

 

[Kyoto]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who saw that - these guys are at the top of the key to pass the ball; which makes me wonder if they're just going through the motion sometimes. Or maybe they stopped looking for cutters because no one cuts when Al is in the game.

The Jazz don't have an offense when Al is in the game other than, give the ball to Al.

 

[b_line]

You can talk all you want about Burks not being a PG, or being a PG. When it comes down to it, put the ball in Burks' hands at the end of regulation yesterday, and ANYTHING he would have done would be better than Randy Foye dribbling around like an idiot and dishing to Big Al for a three... ANYTHING

 

[Zulu]

I fine with burks playing PG just as long as Hayward is in the game to handle the ball and if Mo is hurt!!

 

[margodydek]

With Burks at PG we don't get into our offense until 10 seconds left in the shot lock. I don't mind him filling in on occasion, but the guy is not a PG.

 

[Jazz_junkie]

You can talk all you want about Burks not being a PG, or being a PG. When it comes down to it, put the ball in Burks' hands at the end of regulation yesterday, and ANYTHING he would have done would be better than Randy Foye dribbling around like an idiot and dishing to Big Al for a three... ANYTHING

This......and for the record when I thought poor mans westbrook I did not understand how bad we would mismanage our young talent

 

[The Midnight]

I think generally some people get confused between a true PG and someone who has the ability to bring the ball up the court and pass the ball to the next guy.
This is Alec .. which with some teams can be sufficient, but not normally the case.

I much prefer a PG that understands the playbook, cold. One that can not only get the ball over half court, but read the defense while doing so and already have several plays in mind .. playing chess on the court. Then, if all else fails .. call a play, direct the offense, shoot the gaps, and make the pass to complete the play.

Elementary, I know.. but some people need to hear that it's more than being able to just bring the ball up and have a cross over.

Wow.. that's something you don't hear everyday.. cool!!

 

[akirac73]

Westbrook is like the Lebron James of point guards, no other PG in the league has the combination of athleticism, size, strength, and speed that Westbrook has. Burks has the athleticism but he is nowhere as quick as Westbrook, not even close.

 

[The Midnight]

I still think that if the jazz used burks like they should have from the first game of last year, then we would have a very talented and effective 2 guard right now.... instead they are trying to make him into something that he is not and are not using him properly.

Last night it was great to see him hitting those outside jumpers, but that is not his game..... It seems like the jazz try to take away everything that he is good at, and intead try to force him to do things that he struggles with, so i expect him to look bad.
He should be getting a few iso plays each game, and some pick and roll situations. They should have him doing back door cuts and flashes to hoop (similar to ronnie brewer type plays) to use his athleticism.

Instead, he brings the ball up and passes into the post and then mostly stands on the 3 point line waiting for a kick out so he take a long jump shot.... or he just sets screens down low to help al get the ball in post.

I think Burks has the potential to be that Harden type player (not Westbrook). Even Locke admitted his himself wayyyy before he was drafted - that he can see Burks as a Roy type player. I can see why, I mean look at his skill sets:

He can handle the ball. (he did it in college)
He can drive it.
He can draw contact and finish.
He can hit the occasional 3. (needs to improve on it)

What's missing? He doesn't seem to have the poise, the determination, or the "head" to play that type of game "yet".

So why not let him spend some time as the PG in the 2nd unit? That's what Harden does most of the time anyway. He's never going to be reliable enough with his dribbling ala Westbrook. But I'm pretty sure Harden is his ceiling.

I don't have a problem with Ty trying to put the ball in Burks hands and see where it leads. Who knows? May be he'll start to "get it" and play with poise & precision. At the moment Burks seems to have the "Brawn" but not the "Brain" - but that's not to say that it won't later come to him.

To me this clip perfectly sums up Burks' mental state ATM:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZupVXl1_Fg4

 

[bluenote]

well, Jazz_junkie... maybe you should just take things to the next logical step....

 

[Hartsock]

I think Burks has the potential to be that Harden type player (not Westbrook). Even Locke admitted his himself wayyyy before he was drafted - that he can see Burks as a Roy type player. I can see why, I mean look at his skill sets:

He can handle the ball. (he did it in college)
He can drive it.
He can draw contact and finish.
He can hit the occasional 3. (needs to improve on it)

What's missing? He doesn't seem to have the poise, the determination, or the "head" to play that type of game "yet".

So why not let him spend some time as the PG in the 2nd unit? That's what Harden does most of the time anyway. He's never going to be reliable enough with his dribbling ala Westbrook. But I'm pretty sure Harden is his ceiling.

I don't have a problem with Ty trying to put the ball in Burks hands and see where it leads. Who knows? May be he'll start to "get it" and play with poise & precision. At the moment Burks seems to have the "Brawn" but not the "Brain" - but that's not to say that it won't later come to him.

To me this clip perfectly sums up Burks' mental state ATM:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZupVXl1_Fg4

He cant really handle the ball that well, as we saw last night, he CAN do those things, like he physically can but how consistently can he do it is the real question. I think he can be a contributor and I absolutely think they should have gave him the ball at the end of the game. Foye is not a creator, he is a catch and shoot player. Terribly mistake by Ty.

 

[larryselbows]

I still think that if the jazz used burks like they should have from the first game of last year, then we would have a very talented and effective 2 guard right now.... instead they are trying to make him into something that he is not and are not using him properly.

Last night it was great to see him hitting those outside jumpers, but that is not his game..... It seems like the jazz try to take away everything that he is good at, and intead try to force him to do things that he struggles with, so i expect him to look bad.
He should be getting a few iso plays each game, and some pick and roll situations. They should have him doing back door cuts and flashes to hoop (similar to ronnie brewer type plays) to use his athleticism.

Instead, he brings the ball up and passes into the post and then mostly stands on the 3 point line waiting for a kick out so he take a long jump shot.... or he just sets screens down low to help al get the ball in post.

I say if Locke is right, and Burks didn't put in much work this summer and just rested on his laurels, then we should have benched the fool. What does he expect with Foye, Mo, and Marvin joining the team? I don't think anyone should be entitled to anything on this jazz team. I'm glad he's recently earned some time though.

 

[The Midnight]

He cant really handle the ball that well, as we saw last night, he CAN do those things, like he physically can but how consistently can he do it is the real question. I think he can be a contributor and I absolutely think they should have gave him the ball at the end of the game. Foye is not a creator, he is a catch and shoot player. Terribly mistake by Ty.

That's the thing. It seems like it's a MENTAL thing with him. He has the tools, he just needs the "brain". Locke to his credit called Burks out on this and always said that Burks is "Too cool for school".

That's what my video above is all about. Be strategic. Be poised. Attack strong when you need to, attack fast when you need to. Make plays when you need to. Imagine what Kobe would do if he had Burks' body. He could do a hell of a lot more than what Burks can right now I can tell you that.

Last night's game was a good step forward. He knew he was counted on as the back-up PG - so he played like it. He was poised. He was measured. He hit shots. He made passes. He attacked. He needs to play with that mental state ALL THE TIME.

 

[Weezur]

I say if Locke is right, and Burks didn't put in much work this summer and just rested on his laurels, then we should have benched the fool. What does he expect with Foye, Mo, and Marvin joining the team? I don't think anyone should be entitled to anything on this jazz team. I'm glad he's recently earned some time though.

Did Locke really say that? On all accounts that I remember, Burks worked hard over the summer.
1- Mo Williams said Burks would come out with him to the gym when he asked.
2- He was usually there with Favs and Kanter at P3
3- He gained weight over the summer.

I think what Locke means by "Too cool for school" is that Burks takes short-cuts on the court a lot because of his athletic abilities. IE- He may not go through a fence of screens, but rather over it. He may not box out but instead hop over people...etc.