SALT LAKE CITY – One of Utah’s top players so far this year has been Alec Burks, who has come off the bench to be Utah’s leading scorer, along with Derrick Favors, at 15.2 ppg.
When a reporter tried to praise Alec Burks for his fine play this year, Snyder put the brakes on it.
“I wouldn’t say that frankly,’’ he said. “He’s got a long ways to go, he and I talk about it all the time. When I say he’s got a long way to go, I really mean that in the most complimentary fashion. One of the things that came from him having to sit part of last year is that there’s a real hunger for him.’’
Snyder went on to say that he’s been especially pleased with Burks’ assists – he had eight Thursday night against Denver – and that he still has work to do on defense.
“The number that was real significant is what he had against Denver, he had eight (assists) that’s the part of him that’s growing,’’ he said. “His defense is growing. But I’m going to keep publicly challenging him to play defense. He knows where my heart is on that and I know where his is.’’
SAME STARTERS: Six games in and Utah has used the same starting lineup each game with rookie Raul Neto and Rodney Hood at the guard line with Trey Burke and Alec Burks coming off the bench. The only time the Jazz didn’t go with the lineup was the second half at Denver when Burks replaced Hood because of Hood’s foul trouble.
Snyder explained why he likes the lineup so far.
“Trey had shown why he’s so good in that role … he had the one game up in Detroit where he didn’t play well, but other than that he’s been terrific and really efficient. And same thing with Alec. I think all of the guys need to stay flexible and understand we’re going to do what gives us the best chance as a team.’’
IN GOOD COMPANY: Gordon Hayward has been the first to acknowledge he's been in a shooting slump to start the season as he ranked 108th in the NBA at 38.8 percent coming into Saturday night’s game.
At least Hayward has good company near the bottom of the league in shooting.
Among the bottom seven shooters in the league are all-stars James Harden (34.4 percent), Joe Johnson (33.3), Monta Ellis (32.9) and Kobe Bryant 32.1 as well as heralded rookie Emmanuel Mudiay (30.5) and last year’s rookie of the year , Andrew Wiggins (29.3).
JAZZ NOTES: The Jazz head out on the road for a week-long Eastern road trip next week. The Jazz play at Cleveland Tuesday, at Miami Thursday, at Orlando Friday and at Atlanta Sunday . . . Rudy Gobert ranks third in league in rebounds (13.0 rpg) and third in blocks (3.60 bpg) . . . Gobert was given a technical for a foul against Marc Gasol late in the first half . . . This was Memphis’ third game of a four-game Western road trip . . . Before Saturday, the Grizzlies’ three losses were by 50, 30 and 19 points, the latter at Portland Thursday night.