Alec Burks looks ready to have a stand out 2013/14 season after patiently waiting his turn.
If I asked you to name a guy that has reportedly added six inches to his vertical over the off-season my guess is that the 12th pick of the 2011 draft is one of the last people that would jump to mind. In actual fact, I bet that a few of you reading this would struggle to name who that 12th pick even was? Am I right?
Well, the guy in question is 6ft 6 shooting guard Alec Burks. Drafted out of Colorado his first couple of years in the league have seen him left with sporadic minutes, often finding himself buried deep in the Jazz’s rotation. Senior year numbers of 23 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.8 steals though certainly point to a guy with real ability, and given the rebuilding stage the Jazz currently find themselves in, he should get a real opportunity to prove himself this year.
Whilst I for one certainly have the Jazz heading for the lottery this season, and possibly finding themselves with a good shot at recruiting much-hyped Andrew Wiggins, Burks is exuding the type of confidence that could bring a glimmer of hope to even the most pessimistic Jazz fan. During the recent media day player interviews, conducted by David Locke (@Lockedonsports), the Jazz players universally stated that the guy that they had been most impressed with over the previous months workouts was Alec Burks.
A recent three-day trip to Washington, along with the draft night acquired Trey Burke, to spend time with none other than Jazz legend, and all time assist leader, John Stockton appears to have paid dividends. Alec himself in his interview with Locke stated (on Stockton) that, “He taught me a lot about patience and the ball screen, shot selection, different reads out of the pick and roll. He taught me a lot in the three days I was with him”. Whilst these words are exactly what Jazz fans will want to hear they will want to see evidence of his new found intelligence on the Court. An indifferent Summer League campaign saw him forcing shots, a trait that simply cannot continue once the 82 game grind starts.
So, why do I see him having a breakout season? This is a question that can’t really be addressed without looking at the Jazz’s current situation. A perennial playoff franchise in years gone by they have never really recovered from losing Deron Williams to the Brooklyn Nets back in February 2011 and now find themselves very much in a rebuilding phase. A likely starting five of Burke, Burks, Favors, Hayward and Kanter will see them with one of the youngest starting rosters in the league and that is why widespread media has them heading for the lottery. There is no doubting the raw talent of these guys but at this stage that is exactly what their talent is; raw.
Whilst Burks will have competition from newly acquired Brandon Rush for the starting 2-guard spot, if the Jazz really are committed to the rebuild that media day suggests they are, then I can see Burks getting the nod.
It’s not only at the 2-guard though that Burks could see minutes and this is why I believe he’s headed for a big season. Utah’s current roster has only much travelled vet John Lucas III as a back up point, and Burk’s off season work on his explosiveness and athleticism has seen him start to develop into the combo guard that the Jazz have always hoped he would become.
The Jazz medical team have certainly been impressed with his development and if you compare his recent physical with the one he gave when he first arrived in the league there is no doubting he’s improved across the board. In May 2012 for example his vertical leap maxed out at 11’ 8.5”, he is now reaching 12’ 2.5” and for a 2 guard that is a little on the short side for the top level that increased explosiveness can only bode well.
Two years experience of the NBA, even without playing serious minutes, will have certainly aided his development and whilst I’m not for a minute suggesting that he’s going to come out and start to put up all-star calibre numbers I do anticipate that come April 2014 people will certainly be more familiar with Alec Burks.
Alec Burks: Top Ten Plays 2012/13 season:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8lE-JDq4HcU
Other Jazz Articles:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1790205-utah-jazz-media-day-2013-photos-interviews-and-takeaways
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/jazz/56940737-87/jazz-hayward-burks-favors.html.csp
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