Anyone know why Burks was a DNP?

[InGameStrategy]

I was watching. It was nice. But it was also in a game that was already over. In fact all of his stats have come in games that were over at the time.

His feeling should have less than no impact to his playing time right now. It's not an ancillary reason. It's no reason at all. I own a successful company and manage people (both employees and customers) every day. You do not give resposibility to sombody you don't feel is ready for it. It creates more problems than it is worth. The coaches obviously don't feel he is ready.

But when it's garbage time, there's no downside, "being ready" is irrelevant, because there's nothing to "be ready" for, and there is no better way to refine skills (and identify weaknesses) than being on center court. Practice, game film, individual workouts with assistant coaches, and college/NBDL/overseas can only do so much.

Meanwhile, leaving Raja in the game instead of bringing in Burks sends a bad message that veterans get guaranteed minutes independent of their performance. (Fortunately, that theory was disputed by Harris being benched briefly vs. Philly and then playing better.) Even a few minutes of time provides huge benefit for especially a motivated player for improvement, and is more valuable than Bell playing another 5 minutes or so after he's already played 15 or 20.

This is why I don't buy the "tighten the rotation" theory, especially in a compressed season like this one. Developing depth and keeping legs fresh are far more important than any mild boost in chemistry from a smaller rotation--and the chemistry can be maintained well if only one player is substituted at a time, most of the time.

As to whether he has earned the time or not, that is a different argument. One I would be inclined to agree with you on. I feel he should be playing over Bell. But his feelings have nothing to do with it. But that Bell is terrible and Burks can't be much worse.

Excellent--a glint of wisdom.

 

[candrew]

I was watching. It was nice. But it was also in a game that was already over. In fact all of his stats have come in games that were over at the time.

That's not correct. He came into the Laker game in the second period when the score was 22-20. In fact his first ever defensive assignment was against Kobe.

 

[vslice02]

As a fan on the outside I could argue Burks deserves more minutes - but I have no idea what goes on in practice and how much of a grasp he has on the offense. I liked what I saw from Burks in Denver but playing well in garbage time is still garbage time.

It's only Game 3. If he's got a long string of DNP's by game 43 then I'll be concerned but Ty spent 7 seasons coaching under Sloan - who liked to teach rookies lessons of preparation and professionalism by giving them inconstent minutes throughout their rookie season.
Also keep in mind despite his 3-year contract, Ty is a young coach with some but not unlimited job security. At the end of the day he's going to do what helps the team win - and if that's playing Burks then he'll have to do it.

 

[Siro]

Because he's a ball hog. Jimmer and CJ look like Mark Eaton next to him.
Jordan wishes he saw as many "good shots" as he sees.

I think that's the reason, and I'm surprised so few people see it. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Burks. But he does seem to demand the ball on every play. I think Burks would make an amazing Deron Williams style PG if he can learn to penetrate, break down the defense, and pass. Regardless, I would like to see Bell with as many DNPs as possible. I'd almost rather see the Jazz play 4 v 5 than see Bell on the floor.

 

[Chad Feldheimer]

As a fan on the outside I could argue Burks deserves more minutes - but I have no idea what goes on in practice and how much of a grasp he has on the offense. I liked what I saw from Burks in Denver but playing well in garbage time is still garbage time.

Garbage time or not. 15 points in 10 minutes is still pretty impressive. Especially from a team that struggling to score and he can't even get 1 minute? I call ********.

 

[vslice02]

Garbage time or not. 15 points in 10 minutes is still pretty impressive. Especially from a team that struggling to score and he can't even get 1 minute? I call ********.

Entirely different game. Denver put Farried and Koufos on the floor and they stop scoring. To his credit Burks took advantage (had 2 steals - 1 from good defense the other from a poor Denver pass) and got out on the break - but Burks doesn't get out on the break if Utah's taking the ball out of the net every possession. It's easy for fans to overreact - especially when you consider the putrid play of our SG's this season - but CJ looked like our SG of the future against G.S. in the final game of the 2005-06 season.
Burks shot 3-20 in the 3 games prior to Denver. IMO it is more crucial to Burks' development that he learns early in his career he has to work like a dog to earn minutes than be given a pre-determined allotment of gametime to develop. Bell's a veteran but he clearly sucks, so if Burks stays with it and keeps working Corbin will have no choice but to play him.

 

[cowhide]

I think Ty realizes he has to tighten up the rotation for chemistry purposes. No team plays 13 guys a night consistently.

Well then sit Bell. Bell sucks big time and won't even be on the team in two years. There is really no logical answer except Ty is like Sloan play the vet over the rookie.

 

[cowhide]

Ty in an article after the Denver game mentioned that Burks had earned more minutes and then he doesn't play him at all. Makes no sense?

 

[cowhide]

Bell has done NOTHING to earn minutes. He looks like he is just mailing it in most games.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

The best time to groom an ultra-young player; missed oppty by Corbin.


Yeah, except for those 2 steals on defense and 6 for 9 on offense--on a very low sample size of a total of 15 minutes, btw. Or, if you were referring to the Laker game alone, 6 minutes is not enough time to really write a player off.

Sarcasm, CT? Trolling? Or are you really serious?

I was talking about the Lakers game. He managed to make tons of mistakes on the defensive end with missed assignments. Inexcusable and you can't really have a guy out there if he doesn't know when and where to rotate, it only hurts the development on the team. On offense he attempted to take Kobe one on one and put up a shot that nailed the left side of the backboard, didn't even hit the rim. It's a small sample size, but he made numerous mistakes and proved he isn't ready for playing time at this point in his career. He needs to go through a couple of more practices.

 

[write4u]

I just wish Ty would figure out that Bell doesn't deserve minutes either and KOC would trade him for some fry sauce. Most of us had figured out this last year.

 

[candrew]

I tell you one thing. I was a little wary of Burks when The Jazz drafted him; but after watching him run the floor and his natural ability to create offense I find it hard to believe, Fredette, Walker and Thompson were all picked in front of him.

I'm sure this kid will fall on his face 25 times this season and he needs to get a clue as to where he needs to be on defense; but the foundation is clearly there for him to be a special player.