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Utah Jazz: Lakers Game, HOFer Alex Jensen, Alec Burks’ #NBARank

By Ryan Aston

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Apr 1, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (right) reviews video with assistant coach Alex Jensen prior to the game against the Denver Nuggets at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Could there be a better way to get back into the swing of Utah Jazz basketball than with a crushing defeat of the Los Angeles Lakers? Aside from Enes Kanter, no one gets the heat from Jazz fans like Kobe Bryant and the Lake Show, making Sunday’s victory a smidgen sweeter than most.

Aside from some rocky stretches in the first half, the Jazz played well on both ends of the floor–particularly on the defensive side, with Utah’s big men clogging the lanes and Raul Neto working the Lakers in the backcourt.

Observations

  • Neto stole the headlines, but Trey Burke had some good moments. He was looking to run the offense and most of his shot attempts came within the flow of the system. He had a final line of 10 points, five rebounds and three assists, as well as four free throw attempts. The free throws are huge as Burke needs to show he can get to the line.
  • Burke also had some down moments. He telegraphed a pass on a pick-and-roll in the early going and looked bad late in the game when he went away from a screen and into the defender with the shot clock winding down. The ensuing jump was shot blocked away as time expired. Overall, he missed six of his nine field goal attempts.
  • The Jazz were running a lot more than we saw from them last season. Increased pace will be a focus of Quin Snyder and the Jazz coaching staff throughout the year.
  • I kind of loved seeing Trey Lyles and Trevor Booker on the floor at the same time. There was even a stretch where Booker did his best Draymond Green impression at the five spot. Recent talk about the comparison between Booker and the Golden State Warriors star is not unfounded. With that said, the Jazz small ball unit is a work in progress.
  • Speaking of Booker, I loved his energy overall last night. It was also great to see him get into Roy Hibbert‘s head a little bit with his physical play.
  • Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert did what you would expect them to do. Gobert was particularly important in helping to ignite a third quarter run that brought the Jazz back into the game.
  • Rodney Hood and Alec Burks couldn’t hit net, making one of their combined 14 field goal attempts. Not even close to being concerned about it. #preseason
  • Neto really was great running the team and wreaking havoc defensively. I think he has the early lead in the Jazz point guard battle.
  • Bryce Cotton never saw the floor. I expect this won’t be the case on Tuesday night.
  • You can see the potential oozing from Tibor Pleiss; I loved his activity level in the game. That said, I expect some growing pains. Jeff Withey also played well in limited action. For the most part, I would prefer to carry an extra wing, but it’s entirely possible that the Jazz carry three centers instead.

All things considered, I think you have to call the Jazz preseason opener a rousing success. I’m curious to see how Snyder distributes the minutes when the teams meet again in the second game.

Alex Jensen Entering Crimson Club Hall of Fame

Jazz assistant coach Alex Jensen is set to be honored by his alma mater. Jensen, who starred as a player for the University of Utah from 1997 to 2000 when he was named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year, is joining the Crimson Club Hall of Fame.

The former Utes forward will be announced as part of the hall’s 2015 class at the Utah-Cal football game on Saturday–

Jensen played for the Andre Miller-led Utes team that faced the Kentucky Wildcats in the 1998 NCAA title game. He appeared in 99 games for the Utes overall, averaging more than 10 points, seven rebounds and nearly three assists per contest.

Sep 28, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) during media day at the Zion Bank Basketball Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Alec Burks Hits #NBARank

Another Jazzman appeared on ESPN’s #NBARank project with Alec Burks hitting the list at No. 142. Despite missing most of last season with a shoulder injury, Burks hits the list 20 spots higher than his 2014 ranking.

As with many of his teammates, Burks definitely has the potential to outperform this ranking. A lot of it will depend on how coaches manage the situation between he and Hood.

One thing is certain–Burks is happy to be back on the floor and the Jazz will benefit from having him out there.

The Infamous Hula Video

Finally, leave it to G-Time to embarrass Jazz rookies in epic fashion. Behold, the infamous hula video–

Next: Raul Neto Strikes First In Point Guard Battle

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