Could Alec Burks really be the backup point?

[Karadrys30]

I hope that he can become not just a backup point but the starter at point. Why did utah take Williams over Paul? Size. So they have a very athletic guy with size and likes to mix it up in the lane. Sounds like a supersized Stockton if Burks has the handles and court sense. You also have too look at the the teams to beat in the west. Size is going to matter at every spot, what is nice with having burks play point is that he wont have to start. So he can learn the system and improve his outside range. That also allow hayward or cj to play the 2 spot.

 

[mellow]

No, Burks won't be the back-up. He might play some point gaurd this year, but he won't be the 2nd pg on the Jazz team. KOC has a plan.

Did you know that Stuckey is a free agent, and yet even without him the Pistons have 3 or 4 players capable of playing pg. And even though no-one believed Prince would be back with Detroit they resigned him today.......

I don't have any insider info, but a Jazz/Pistons trade wouldn't suprise me.

 

[gomretat]

Nope. Nor was Ronnie B even though many said he could do it.

 

[NAOS]

My sig is meant to say more about Jazzfanz than Alec. People are going to over-react during his growing pains. It's going to irritating. I like the pick.

 

[cctrackstar]

Didn't the Jazz employ the 2 point on the floor system right around when Ty came to the team?

Is it possible that the Jazz will go away from the point to power forward system they have had, and move more to two point guard system, but use combo guards as the second point? Visualize Alec and Hayward at the two guard spots working together to distribute the ball? As long as they have the dribbling skills to get the ball up court, that's a LOT of offence in the wing. (this is of course later in the game, not that Harris wouldn't be starting)

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

If he can bring the ball up consistently against pressure then I guess it is possible. That can be hard for someone who is 6'6 playing against fast-handed, lightning quick 6' guards.

 

[NotDeadYet]

Nice article!
If we can't sign Watson, I expect to see Burks and Hayward together in our backcourt a fair amount. Serious mismatch advantage, Jazz, as both are long and can drive and draw fouls, as well as see the floor to dish to cutters or spot-up shooters.
Coach Ty will have a most interesting camp, finding out just what he's got...

 

[colton]

A probably, but probably not THE.

Basically what NAOS said.

Yes, I think that too. No chance he will be The backup, at least not at the start of the season. But they are clearly going to try playing Burks at PG, so I think he will serve as the third string PG this year. Hopefully behind Watson.

 

[utahjazz107]

If he can bring the ball up consistently against pressure then I guess it is possible. That can be hard for someone who is 6'6 playing against fast-handed, lightning quick 6' guards.

Stuckey is 6 5 and does it easily. Magic was 6 9. It's more about ball handling than height.

 

[LogGrad98]

Didn't the Jazz employ the 2 point on the floor system right around when Ty came to the team?

Is it possible that the Jazz will go away from the point to power forward system they have had, and move more to two point guard system, but use combo guards as the second point? Visualize Alec and Hayward at the two guard spots working together to distribute the ball? As long as they have the dribbling skills to get the ball up court, that's a LOT of offence in the wing. (this is of course later in the game, not that Harris wouldn't be starting)

I can see this kind of thing happening. I know the Burks homers are all convinced he can play both positions equally well, but I have my doubts, so a combo with another distributor would make some sense.

I would rather see Burks develop as a SG this season, possibly some as combo guard, and see Hayward develop into more of a point forward ala Odom.

 

[vslice02]

Yes, I think that too. No chance he will be The backup, at least not at the start of the season. But they are clearly going to try playing Burks at PG, so I think he will serve as the third string PG this year. Hopefully behind Watson.

Agree. There's a reason more teams don't use SG's as their primary backup PG. In the playoffs when the game slows down and defenses dig in, there's a big difference between being able to dribble past halfcourt and actually creating shots for teammates and getting you into your offense.

If Burks can play it in a pinch or certain situations - that's great, but it's not something I want to rely on regularly or even much during his rookie season - when I'd prefer to have him gain as much experience possible playing off-the-ball in our halfcourt sets and defending opposing wings.

 

[Thee Jazz Fan]

I don't get it, really?

Players who can play SG: CJ, Hayward, Raja.

Players who can play PG: Harris.J

I remember what my teachers told me in math class in elementary school, they said that three was more than 1

(the interesting thing about this is that both CJ and Hayward have good enough court vision to play a little PG in a pinch. I know that goes against what I'm saying, but there are two sides to every coin.)

Harris is above average I consider Hayward sf's that leaves Bell. I believe Watson will sign. Bigger need in my eyes is sg so Hayward can play sf leaving Miles out of the starting lineup. Any situation with Miles playing less minutes is a big win.