Alec Burks and the Man, the Plan

[SojoDave]

I was impressed with Burks interview and his bit during the game. The guy could hardly talk when he got here. I remember when Locke asked him if he could have dinner with any three people dead or alive who would he have dinner with? Burks named three Rappers. It was hilarious. He is maturing and for me, the big difference on how effective he will be is how well he plays defense. He is athletic enough, but he was pretty poor defensive player under Corbin. But then again, HE DIDN'T HAVE GOBERT STANDING BEHIND HIM!!!

 

[Sexual Favors]

I just got the impression that the two didn't really like each other but I may just be reading to far into things. Content itself was about par with the other interviews. Just didn't flow like the others.

I got that too. Locke has flip flopped a lot on Alec, just like he did with Enes, and with Alec being injured, I'm sure he's had more time to hear and read a lot of it.

Locke never embraced Alec or Enes (while he was on the team), like he has our other players. Be it the lockout, Jerry's retirement, trading D-Will, the 8th seed potential roster, the rent-a-vet roster, or the hanging on to Ty one year too many, etc. Both of those players wanted to play more, but Locke was in a position where he had to support the FO and the coach for his own job security. How do you support the coach and FO in those years? You tell the fans that the lottery talent drafted wasn't worthy of playing time, because you can't tell your fans that the team is a mess, in limbo, and their are internal power struggles over what direction to take. The rookies from other draft classes didn't inherit the same amount of mess and uncertainty as those from the 2011 class, as Gordon was drafted to a good team, Derrick was who we got for our all star and was only the third big once the writing on the wall was clear with Memo (and Favors was a defensive big in a front court that needed that), we didn't draft in the first round in 2012, and were mostly decided on our direction by end of 2013 when we drafted Trey, just needed Ty to prove he wasn't worth it.


Alec is here to stay, and Alec has always had a lot of potential. Locke needs to be consistently fair if he wants Alec to like him.

 

[Sexual Favors]

I think Burks will fit in great with the new team. Why?

Alec, when healthy can:

1. Put pressure on the rim, finish, draw fouls, or both.
2. Is actually really good with catch and shoots from 3.
3. Has shown signs of being a really good on-ball defender. With a front court of Derrick and Rudy, that's what is asked of our guards. They pressure the ball hard, but if their man beats them they're hesitant about facing the Wasatch Front.
4. Alec plays with pace, which Quin is still intrigued with. We played slow to learn concepts and build habits, and it is what a rookie PG and Trey could do. With Alec, Bryce, and possibly Neto, as well as having Hood being healthy and likely taking more of slo mo's minutes. i expect we'll play a little faster next year.


Alec just needs to work on passing and using the pick, but it sounds like he has been learning a lot in his time off the floor.

 

[Stoked]

I think Burks will fit in great with the new team. Why?

Alec, when healthy can:

1. Put pressure on the rim, finish, draw fouls, or both.
2. Is actually really good with catch and shoots from 3.
3. Has shown signs of being a really good on-ball defender. With a front court of Derrick and Rudy, that's what is asked of our guards. They pressure the ball hard, but if their man beats them they're hesitant about facing the Wasatch Front.
4. Alec plays with pace, which Quin is still intrigued with. We played slow to learn concepts and build habits, and it is what a rookie PG and Trey could do. With Alec, Bryce, and possibly Neto, as well as having Hood being healthy and likely taking more of slo mo's minutes. i expect we'll play a little faster next year.


Alec just needs to work on passing and using the pick, but it sounds like he has been learning a lot in his time off the floor.

With Exum, Hayward, Hood, Gobert and Favors there could be a lot of those catch and shoot 3s. Gobert is very good about passing out to the 3 point line when needed.

 

[Batman]

I think Burks will fit in great with the new team. Why?

Alec, when healthy can:

1. Put pressure on the rim, finish, draw fouls, or both.
2. Is actually really good with catch and shoots from 3.
3. Has shown signs of being a really good on-ball defender. With a front court of Derrick and Rudy, that's what is asked of our guards. They pressure the ball hard, but if their man beats them they're hesitant about facing the Wasatch Front.
4. Alec plays with pace, which Quin is still intrigued with. We played slow to learn concepts and build habits, and it is what a rookie PG and Trey could do. With Alec, Bryce, and possibly Neto, as well as having Hood being healthy and likely taking more of slo mo's minutes. i expect we'll play a little faster next year.


Alec just needs to work on passing and using the pick, but it sounds like he has been learning a lot in his time off the floor.

I totally agree on the 3 point shooting. Burks is an underrated 3 point threat. For whatever reason, most fans talk about Burks as though he's a 22% 3 point shooter. Honestly, he's no Josh Smith from deep.

 

[Greasy84]

Whenever Burks shoots in a catch-and-shoot, I expect it to go in (just like whenever Trey puts up a shot, my first thought is "rebound!"). Burks has had a habit of taking a lot of wild midrange shots. I think he's correcting that.

Am I the only one that thinks we might see a 3 guard rotation with: Exum, Hood, and Burks next year? It wouldn't have worked in Corbin's or Sloan's (Johnson's) offense. But it might with Quinn's. If Alec comes back strong, and we don't make any major changes, I want to see these 3 each get 30+ minutes a game. Call me crazy, but I'd like to see them try it. I love the idea of having 2 of your 3 best guards on the floor at any given time (like Magic, Cooper, and Scott or Isiah, Dumars, and Microwave). These guys might have the right mix of speed and versatility to pull it off. The way Quinn used Hood at the end of the season makes me wonder. Feel free to flame away. Just my opinion.

 

[//r00t 4 Jazz]

Am I the only one that thinks we might see a 3 guard rotation with: Exum, Hood, and Burks next year?

I honestly don't know why that wouldn't work in any system but that aside I am sure we will see it. Hood saw minutes at SF this year some with Burke & Exum playing the 1 & 2 so see no reason why he wouldn't play with Exum & Burks.

To me I didn't hear any attitude that you guys heard, Locke didn't sound like he took exception or was worried with any of Alec's responses to his questions and Alec was just honest and sounded a little excited about next season. He's still Alec and has the low mumble voice but he seems more mature and had more thought out answers (as opposed to his traditional 3-5 word answers).

Also I don't hear as much of Locke as most of you guys so it is very possible I missed it but I don't remember hearing Locke being overall negative towards Burks he has mentioned some stats over the years like defense and needing to improve his shooting/FT's but would have something positive to say like % of possessions ending at the FT or catch & shoot 3pt % for example. I also remember Locke talking about Burks in his draft analysis and saying Burks could be one of the biggest sleepers in the draft but also saying he could also be a bust if he couldn't adapt his game to the NBA, my point being I think he has a rooting interest in him because of that.

 

[JLT]

Also I don't hear as much of Locke as most of you guys so it is very possible I missed it but I don't remember hearing Locke being overall negative towards Burks he has mentioned some stats over the years like defense and needing to improve his shooting/FT's but would have something positive to say like % of possessions ending at the FT or catch & shoot 3pt % for example. I also remember Locke talking about Burks in his draft analysis and saying Burks could be one of the biggest sleepers in the draft but also saying he could also be a bust if he couldn't adapt his game to the NBA, my point being I think he has a rooting interest in him because of that.

I think the one most people remember Locke saying that there was a good chance that Burks may never be as good as Randy Foye. Pretty harsh, I'd be unhappy with Locke too if I were Alec haha!

 

[Batman]

I think the one most people remember Locke saying that there was a good chance that Burks may never be as good as Randy Foye. Pretty harsh, I'd be unhappy with Locke too if I were Alec haha!

I think Locke is more critical of Burks than the other youngs And he does not seem to recognize that.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Locke is about as critical of Burks as he is anyone else. Hayward and Favors just proved themselves this year and Burks hasn't, so he is going to have more questions around him. I doubt Burks reads anyway.

 

[Stifle Tower]

Am I the only one that thinks we might see a 3 guard rotation with: Exum, Hood, and Burks next year?

Can either Hood or Burks guard the opposing PG if they're on the court together?
I think it's more realistic to look at a wing rotation of Hood, Hayward and Burks, with some Ingles thrown in as needed. At PG, I think Exun will get his usual mins and Trey and Cotton will split the remaining time.

 

[Greasy84]

Can either Hood or Burks guard the opposing PG if they're on the court together?
I think it's more realistic to look at a wing rotation of Hood, Hayward and Burks, with some Ingles thrown in as needed. At PG, I think Exun will get his usual mins and Trey and Cotton will split the remaining time.

Burks has the quickness, but it's still a big question mark. I guess I'm optimistic that he can improve his technique with the right coaching. Does he struggle more guarding point guards than two guards? I'm not sure. Maybe.

I like the wing rotation too.