Purple&Blues Q&A : Jazz Stats Predictions
By Cody Powers
November 12, 2012; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Trey Burke (3) passes the ball on IUPUI Jaguars guard Jordan Shanklin (10) of a preseason NIT game at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
3. Who will lead the Jazz in assists this season?
Haslam – Hayward- Again I think he plays more than Trey and has the ball in his hands more which will allow him to drive and dish.
R. McDermott – Trey Burke.
L. McDermott – This is the hardest one to predict. Burke, Burks and Hayward are going to share the ball handling responsibilities so much while Trey is getting his feet wet. Burks and Hayward are playmakers and I expect the ball to be shared quite often with this team. I will give the edge to Burke because he is the PG and will have the ball the most but it won’t be a very big disparity.
Newman – Trey Burke. Trey is going to struggle but we know he takes care of the ball. He was 5th in the entire NCAA last year in assist to turnover ratio at 3.02. He’s got more talent around him and more weapons. Trey should lead this team fairly easily if he gets starter minutes.
Anderson – I really believe it will be neck-and-neck between Trey Burke and Gordon Hayward. But, this is Hayward’s team as much as Burke’s, and he has the veteran experience to find his teammates whereas Burke is a novice rook. So, Gordon Hayward.
Powers – It’s easily going to be John Lucas III……………obviously kidding. I honestly believe it should be Trey Burke. He and Hayward will be controlling the ball for the majority of the season, but I’m going with Trey because he will be bringing the ball up the court and Hayward and Alec Burks will be curling off screens at the free throw line for easy jumpers. If all Burke’s has to do is just get them the ball there, he should have no problem getting 7-8 assists per game.