#freealecburks

Brad did a fantastic job introducing our blog. Yet when we were throwing around ideas of what we were going to write about, the Utah Jazz weren't exactly on the top of my list of topics to talk about. Like Brad said, I didn't move to Utah until the summer of 8th grade and as such didn't really embrace the Jazz as my team until recently. Because of my new found embrace of the Jazz as my team, there is something that must be addressed about them. The younger players need more playing time. Now, most of the young guys have good established players ahead of them in the line up. Paul Milsap and Al Jefferson deserve to start in front of Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors. But C.J. Miles instead of Alec Burks? Please...
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During the 2011 NBA draft, the Jazz had the 3rd and 12th picks courtesy of a trade that sent Deron Williams to New Jersey in return for Devon Harris, Derrick Favors and two first round draft picks. (we won't get into this now, but lets just agree that Utah DEFINITELY won that trade). That 3rd pick, was courtesy of that trade. Enes Kanter is who the Jazz drafted with that pick. I felt that the Jazz made the right pick with going with Kanter. He was young, and raw but we need size to compete in the west. Then with the 12th pick, the Jazz picked Alec Burks. My first impression was, who? Turns out he is the explosive shooting guard that we need.

In 42 games played this season, Burks is averaging 6.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, .08 assists and a +5.43 efficiency rating in 14.6 minutes per game. CJ Miles is averaging 9.3 points, 2.10 rebounds, 1.2 assists and a +7.04 efficiency rating in 20.4 minutes per game. So their numbers are basically the same given an adjustment for minutes played. Yet its how they play. Burks is always looking to be aggressive. He plays good defense most of the time (its the NBA, no plays good defense all the time). He is four years younger than Miles and with that youth he has greater potential to grow. He, along with Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter, in my opinion are the future of the Jazz. We know what CJ Miles is, but we want to see what Burks will become. Please Coach Corbin, #freealecburks.