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The Alec Burks Debate
Posted by: Zach on December 31st, 2011
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.Let me start out by saying that I really enjoyed the game last night. The crowd was alive again! The last game I had gone to before last night’s victory was our loss to the Wizards near the end of the season, and it was not pretty. That game, we handed the Wiz their only their 2nd road victory of the year. I have never heard the arena that quiet. Last night, there were some in-game moments where the crowd was eerily quiet as they tried to decide what they thought about our team. Then the energy picked up and we went on some runs and the place was roaring again! The crowd had decided, they were along for the ride and ready to accept their team again.
Now, to the purpose of this post. Jazz fans are notorious for judging their players. Sometimes that means getting overly excited and deciding that their unproven rookie will be an all-star and looking past all of their faults. Other times, that means criticizing a player to no end (AK, Boozer, Deron, Bell). They may(Bell, Fes of course) or may not(AK, Deron, Booz) deserve such harsh criticism. I’m no different, I live and die by the Jazz. I’m both overly critical and overly excited at times. I don’t always give everyone a fair chance and I’ve been wrong before. On this site, we’ve done our fair share of judging lately and come to some obvious conclusions. We know Bell is worthless on the court, CJ is wildly inconsistent, and Devin needs to step up. The one player for which everyone still seems to disagree on is Alec Burks.
Enter Alec Burks. The rookie out of Colorado. Not Alex Burks, or Alec Burkes, but Alec Burks. A slasher. A scorer. The one knock on him as a draft prospect was his outside shooting. Pre-draft workouts, a charity game, and a scrimmage would suggest that’s not a problem. He’s played a total of 16 minutes for Ty corbin in 2 games, the least of anyone on the team besides Jamaal Tinsley. In those 16 minutes, he’s scored 15 points on 6 of 11 shooting and 3 of 3 free throws. All of his points came in 10 minutes in garbage time against Denver, when he hit 6 of 9 shots and looked great. In reading thoughts on this site and on sltrib.com, there are 2 main opinions: 1. He’s a bust or not ready. 2. He’s good, play him more. I do not understand what has convinced some fans that he’s a bust or not ready to play. Some say his defense is poor. From what I saw, his defense looks just fine, certainly better than Bell’s or Harris’s. He got 2 steals in those 10 minutes. I really hoped we’d draft this kid, and I was elated when we did. He’s somehow found himself in Corbin’s doghouse and under criticism from fans. The truth is, we have NO idea what he can do. I say Burks has earned the chance to show us.
Replies: 6
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6 Responses
@Corbin, Y U NO PLAY BURKS?
Not sure I understand why the Jazz do not give him a chance. Raja has not shown anything nor will he so give Burks a try. Yes I know the points against Denver were scrap points but he hustled to get those. Much better hustle then what you see Raja giving.
SG should be Hayward and Burke backing him up. Trade Raja or have him be the third option at SG. I am not just in favor of Burke because I live in Colorado but the kid can play if you give him a chance. What do the Jazz have to lose??
Just one thing: Crowd wins game not Corbin.
Hayward first sg, Alec 2nd and Raja 3rd.
For those that follow this site may know I started talking Burks long before the draft. Last night was one game. Do we know he is in the doghouse?? This may be a subject for mid season talk. He will get the minutes and be a fine player. He will be a fan favorite and a regular on the floor. After ten games I see Bell as a second or third option.
Anyone is better than Bell. He is no longer a defensive threat and cannot shoot! Why is he still starting I don’t understand! IRRITATING
I also am part of this movement for Burks. I think honestly in the next 5 to 10 games the starting lineup will change to Harris, Hayward, Howard, Millsap, Jefferson. And hopefully Burks gets some minutes off the bench rather than Bell. Then have CJ and Evans split time at the 3 on second unit. I honestly wish we would have shipped Bell off with Memo.