The sure to be epic 2013 Jazz off-season!

Earlier this week, Utah Jazz shooting guard Alec Burks had something to say to assistant coach Sidney Lowe after a game at the Orlando Pro Summer League.

"Coach, did you see that defense?"

Lowe had seen it.

"That's exciting for us," Lowe said.

It wasn't just exciting to see that the third-year pro played defense.

It was also exciting for the Jazz coaching staff that Burks listened to its advice and then returned with a positive self-report.

That's progress in action.

"We know that he can score the basketball. He can get to the basket," Lowe said. "But I saw him trying to really defend a little better here this summer, really trying to get after people better."

Burks has shown an improvement in the angles he takes on opposing shooting guards, Lowe said. He's pressuring the ball better. He's being more aggressive.

"He's certainly got to get better," Lowe said, "but he's working at it."

Burks didn't play in the Jazz's 79-73 loss to Indiana on Thursday

Trey Burke's brief bench banishment ended Thursday.

Unfortunately for the rookie point guard, his poor shooting didn't.

Though he made three shots in a row in the first half, the national player of the year missed his final 11 field goals in a 79-73 loss to Indiana at the Orlando Pro Summer League.

Burke, acquired in a draft-day trade after being picked No. 9 by Minnesota, has now only hit 9 of 42 shots (21.4 percent) in a Jazz uniform.

The 20-year-old said he felt rested after Jazz coaches had him sit out Wednesday's win over Brooklyn, but he's mystified by his continued inaccuracy.

"I know I can play much better than what I've been showing," Burke said.

According to the Jazz, those poor offensive numbers don't tell the full story.

Assistant Sidney Lowe credited him for being livelier Thursday.

"He went to the basket a couple of times and was able to get up and get the shot off," Lowe said of Burke, who had one particularly nice move when he went left and floated in a driving shot off the backboard.

"His defense was a little better; his movement was better," Lowe added. "I think the rest really helped him."

As coaches hoped, Burke did a better job of pushing the pace. That was one of the things he was instructed to do while sitting next to Jazz assistant Brad Jones during his one-game rest.

"The coaches said I played good, just my shot is flat. I've got to get some arch on my shot," Burke said. "That's just an adjustment I've got to make as well as playing through mistakes. Sometimes I make the wrong pass and I'm getting down on myself. I'm just trying to get comfortable out there."

Burke did finish with a plus-minus rating of plus-1 in a loss despite his 3-for-15 shooting. He had eight points, four assists, four rebounds and just one turnover in 26 minutes.

CHAMPIONSHIP DAY: Call off the parade preparations. The Jazz were eliminated from playing for the OPSL title with their loss Thursday. Utah is one of six teams that finished with a 2-2 record, but the Jazz and Pacers will have an early rematch Friday (8 a.m. MDT, NBA-TV) in the third/fourth-place game. Both teams finished with 16 points (three for victories, one for winning quarters).

Houston and Oklahoma City, both 4-0, will square off for the first championship in this new tournament format.

GAME RECAP: Former Bradley standout Chris Roberts, starting for Alec Burks, continued his solid play for the Jazz, leading the team with 18 points in Thursday's setback. The 6-4 shooting guard, who played for Austin in the D-League last season, leads the Jazz in scoring with 14.7 ppg this week.

Rookie center Rudy Gobert, the 27th pick in last month's draft, had another solid game with 11 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Guard Jerel McNeal, who has a non-guaranteed contract with Utah, scored 11 points.

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When Rudy Gobert stands underneath a regulation basket and extends his arms as high as they will go, he is separated from the rim by less than the length of an average ballpoint pen.

To dunk, he doesn

[QUOTE]"I thought all the guys played well, played hard," Corbin said.

Some shot better than others.

Although Jazz coaches aren't acting overly concerned about Burke's offensive debut, the shooting struggles of the national player of the year will probably be the lasting memory of this summer session.

Only three months after leading Michigan to the NCAA championship game, Burke just couldn't find his groove

Summer league results

Sunday

[QUOTE]"I think my performance," Burke said, "was poor."

Two weeks after the Utah Jazz boldly traded up in the NBA Draft to acquire Burke, the rookie

[QUOTE]One summer league ended Friday amid scuttlebutt that another could be starting back up.

Utah Jazz president Randy Rigby said Friday that he is gauging interest around the NBA of resurrecting the Rocky Mountain Revue, the popular summer league played in Salt Lake City for 24 years until 2008. At the time, more teams began flocking to the slate of games in Las Vegas, which is run by the NBA, and the Revue fizzled.

Now, Rigby believes the trend could be going the other way.

"There seems to be an interest from teams in bringing it back," Rigby said. "We have an interest, and I think we have a fan base that would support it."

Rigby said the Jazz would ideally start a six-team summer league next summer the week before Las Vegas

The Jazz got a "significant amount of cash" (Lindsey's words) for helping the Warriors clear enough salary space to obtain shooting guard Andre Iguodala from Denver. That undisclosed amount of money, the GM noted while thanking the Miller family, will be used for basketball-related facilities, to improve scouting and/or to sign and trade for other players.

"We're going to invest that money in ourselves," Lindsey said.

[QUOTE]Jefferson does bring in a career scoring average of 15.0 ppg on 46.6 percent shooting, so it's possible he could find time behind Hayward and rehabbing Marvin Williams.[/QUOTE]

Jefferson has certainly faded but he's still got to be better than Marvin no?

Always look pretty crap when i've seen the Warriors play last year.

Nice quick write up on the Jazz summer league team

[url]http://www.shamsports.com/2013/07/2013-summer-league-rosters-orlando_8344.html[/url]

[QUOTE]Marc Stein: Hearing: Free-agent PG John Lucas informed other suitors today that he has committed to Utah. Deal w/Jazz on course to be sealed this week Twitter @ESPNSteinLine[/QUOTE]

I'm ok with him as a 3rd pg but it appears as if he will be the back-up possibly forced to start because Burke is so far in over his head. Tell us again Lindsey how you're looking to compete. :rolleyes:

[QUOTE=El Kabong]Always look pretty crap when i've seen the Warriors play last year.[/QUOTE]

M. Gaye was crappy too.

[QUOTE]Lucas' signing would bring the Jazz's roster up to the league minimum of 13 players, including guard Jerel McNeal's nonguaranteed deal.

Though the Jazz have added six other players this offseason, Lucas is the first via free agency. Utah acquired Trey Burke, Rudy Gobert and Raul Neto in draft-day deals, while Andris Biedrins Richard Jefferson and Brandon Rush all came from Golden State in a three-team trade with the Warriors and Nuggets.

It's possible the Jazz will still bring in another player via free agency or a trade. Last week, general manager Dennis Lindsey said he's more than willing to take on salaries from other teams to acquire future assets.[/QUOTE]

1 to 3 roster spaces open. I would think Lucas is a minimum wage guy but who knows. He had the Jazz at the top of the list. I'd think just because he could be playing but maybe for money reasons too?

Alex Kennedy: Sources say if the Dallas Mavericks reach a revised agreement with Devin Harris, it's unlikely they'll continue to pursue Jamaal Tinsley.

Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA

[QUOTE]
Alex Kennedy: I'm hearing Mo Williams is considering taking less to join a contender such as the Spurs or Heat. Nothing imminent, but he's considering it.

Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA

Alex Kennedy: The Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Charlotte Bobcats and Phoenix Suns have expressed interest in Jamaal Tinsley, according to sources.

Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA

Alex Kennedy: A return to the Utah Jazz for Jamaal Tinsley is no longer being considered after the team signed John Lucas III, according to a source.

Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA[/QUOTE]

Kind of figured that. I'd rather have Tinsley. I guess with Burke, Lucas, Burks and possibly McNeal, Neto and/or Stockton they are set. Could get really ugly!

[QUOTE]Terms of the deal were not known, but the minimum salary for a five-year veteran is $1,027,424 and indications are that Lucas will receive more. [/QUOTE]
Another head scratcher. He is a vet minimum 3rd pg and not a very efficient one at that. Anyone doubting a tank job?

[QUOTE=Xiao Yao You]Kind of figured that. I'd rather have Tinsley. I guess with Burke, Lucas, Burks and possibly McNeal, Neto and/or Stockton they are set. Could get really ugly![/QUOTE]
I'd rather Tinsley too. Neto sounded good from them describing Summer League play, so hopefully they bring him over.

[url]http://basketball.realgm.com/blog/228988/Behind-Utahs-Unique-Rebuild[/url]

[QUOTE]The Jazz broke apart a 43-win team and received nothing in return[/QUOTE]

2 firsts, 3 2nds, 3 expiring contracts and cash isn't exactly what I'd call nothing and it sounds like they are still looking on getting more out of what's left of their cap space. Would they have got this much if they'd traded their guys before the trade deadline as everyone thought they should do?

[QUOTE]All five fit together, something teams that build through the draft are rarely able to pull off.[/QUOTE]

Remains to be seen how Burke fits. Gobert and Neto look like they could certainly.

[QUOTE]While they made the playoffs only once in the last three years, they were always in the hunt[/QUOTE]

They were in the hunt until they traded Deron 3 years ago. Than they had the worst meltdown in league history.

[QUOTE] the most important lessons might have come in practice, where Favors and Kanter battled 1-on-1 with Jefferson, one of the best post scorers in the NBA.[/QUOTE]

I'm sure they got nothing from battling the other vets.

[QUOTE]Neither is a great perimeter shooter[/QUOTE]

Kanter looks like he very well could be.

[QUOTE]Hayward, Burks and Burke don

[QUOTE]The Nets were not even in Brooklyn two years ago, they were in New Jersey

[url]http://www.slcdunk.com/2013/7/18/4536684/nba-breaking-news-raul-neto-to-return-to-europe-for-at-least-one-more[/url]

[QUOTE]Raul Neto: The Jazz are not interested in me this year. They just hired another guard who was drafted along with me Basketeria

Jody Genessy: This isn't surprising that Raul Neto won't play in NBA yet if it turns out to be true. Jazz wouldn't mind him getting more Euro experience. Twitter @DJJazzyJody[/QUOTE]

Why can't he play in the D-league instead of a 2nd division Spanish league? I think it comes down to the fact that they will look bad if he out plays Burke and also might make them more competitive when obviously they are shooting for gold in the lottery. He only makes 100,000 in Spain so it's not like his buyout should be a problem. He would pay it just for the pay raise.

[QUOTE=Xiao Yao You]Another head scratcher. He is a vet minimum 3rd pg and not a very efficient one at that. Anyone doubting a tank job?[/QUOTE]
Easiest way to tank. Minor league gaurds. The head scratcher to me was butchering the draft. That wasn't needed to tank

[QUOTE=el gringos]Easiest way to tank. Minor league gaurds. The head scratcher to me was butchering the draft. That wasn't needed to tank[/QUOTE]

If Lucas is in the rotation it's definitely a sure sign they are tanking although it sounds like maybe they plan on playing Burks at both guard positions again and Lucas will be at the end of the bench hopefully where he belongs.

What was your idea for the draft? I liked McCollom personally but Burke was the highest rated pg and that was the position they needed though I think more of a combo guard to play with Hayward and Burks makes sense. Sounds like Burke could fit that role though he didn't look like he was anywhere near ready for the NBA in the summer league. The fact that he dropped and he's the one guy they didn't work out seems a bit risky but they've said the workouts is a small part of their process. Obviously they had scouted him.

Hard to complain about the other two picks that they bought and who both looked like great fits in SL.

[QUOTE]The Utah Jazz announced today that Brad Jones has been promoted to an assistant coach on Tyrone Corbin's staff, after having spent the 2012-13 season as assistant coach/player development. Jones joins returning assistants Sidney Lowe and Michael Sanders on Corbin's staff.

NBA.com[/QUOTE]

I read somewhere he was their best pg coach after he sat on the bench with Burke the game they sat him out. Not sure if it's true but until Stock comes aboard they obviously need someone.

Bill Oram: As his tweets suggested, John Lucas III will sign contract with the Jazz tomorrow pending a physical. Twitter @tribjazz

John Lucas: Just touch down SLC Twitter

[QUOTE]Bill Oram: John Lucas III

[QUOTE]Favors has spent the summer training alongside Jazz legend Karl Malone, who turns 50 on Wednesday and "could come out here and still hold his own," Favors said.

Malone, who won Olympic gold medals in 1992 and 1996 as a member of Team USA, was notorious for his training regimens, and Favors said that holds true.

"When I

Hayward reminisced about previous opportunities he

Throughout the 2012-13 season, Hayward and Favors spoke positively of how their Team USA experience boosted their self-esteem and level of play.

"I think I've shown that I belong in the league. It's something that you work for and you work towards. Now I think I know that I belong," Hayward said of his 2012 experience just before last season. "Now you push yourself even further, try and become an All-Star.

Lucas said Lindsey had

[QUOTE]Asked what he remembers most about playing in Utah, Lucas said the fans because "they are constantly talking to you

[QUOTE]According to the whispers emanating from UNLV's Mendenhall Center, Portland's Damian Lillard, Utah's Gordon Hayward and collegian Doug McDermott of Creighton were among the Day 1 standouts, with the Los Angeles Clippers' Jordan said to have made his presence felt defensively. ESPN.com

Utah Jazz center Andris Biedrins has decided not to represent Latvia this summer at Eurobasket in Slovenia. Hot on the heels of Latvia

Amid a strong finish over the final week of NBA summer league, Dionte Christmas has received interest from teams, including from the organization he played for, the Phoenix Suns.

[QUOTE]Jody Genessy: Gordon Hayward on his increased offensive responsibility: "I

Bill Oram: The Jazz have made official the hiring of former Ute Alex Jensen as player development assistant. Long expected. Twitter @tribjazz

Former Utah Jazz star Karl Malone, who turns 50 on Wednesday, has made one concession to age. He bought a mule. During 18 seasons with the Jazz and one with the Los Angeles Lakers, Malone was known as a fitness fanatic who willed himself into the Hall of Fame. "In 30 years," says Jazz strength coach Mark McKown," I

[QUOTE]“It’s time,” Favors said, “for two other people to be the new leading scorers.”

The two candidates best positioned to take over an offensive responsibility that’s been shouldered by Jefferson and Millsap are participating together this week at Team USA’s minicamp.[/QUOTE]

I'd be looking for Kanter and Burks and eventually Burke if he ever lives up to expectations as the first options. Hayward is their leading return scorer but he'd be most effective making plays for others and not concentrating on scoring. I'd like to see his assists go up more than his points. Favors looks like a double double guy but unless the Mailman can do something miraculous he certainly hasn't looked like a go to type guy yet.

[QUOTE]Who knows if Favors and Gordon Hayward will be able to match the 7,600 points Jefferson and Millsap combined to score over the past three seasons?

One thing is certain.

The soon-to-be fourth-year veterans can’t wait to have increased offensive opportunities — and the accompanying responsibilities.

“I’m really excited,” Hayward said after Tuesday’s practice session at UNLV’s Mendenhall Center. “It’s going to be a challenge, for sure. But it’s time. I’m ready to step up and take that challenge.”

The new-look Jazz will need somebody to do that.

Even with their reliable post players last season, Utah only ranked 13th in the NBA in scoring with 98.0 points per game.

In a remarkable indication of the organization's overhaul, Hayward is the only player on the Jazz's current roster who averaged double digits in the NBA last season.

Utah had five players in the 10 points-plus range in 2012-13, but Jefferson (17.8 ppg), Millsap (14.6 ppg), Mo Williams (12.9 ppg) and Randy Foye (10.8 ppg) will all have new homes next year.

Hayward was third on the team with a 14.1 scoring average on 43.5 percent shooting, while Favors produced 9.4 points an outing on 48.2 percent shooting.

The Team USA hopefuls, who’ll undergo contract-extension negotiations this summer, will have plenty of chances to improve all of those numbers in the future.

“We’ve just got to come in and work harder,” said Favors, who knows something about hard work after training with Jazz big man coach Karl Malone this summer. “Obviously, we’re going to have to adjust, but it should be fun. It’ll be exciting.”

The Jazz, Hayward noted, will likely veer a bit away from the rigid inside-out philosophy that’s been in place since 2010-11 to capitalize on the strengths of their dearly departed post players.

With rookie Trey Burke running the show from the point guard position, the Jazz are likely to focus more on one of his strengths — scoring off of screens. Favors and Hayward are also adept at that style of offense.

“You’ve got to adapt to the players that you have — maybe a little more pick-and-roll, perimeter-oriented stuff,” Hayward said, anticipating possible offensive changes.

“We still have Fav and Enes (Kanter) down low. They’re still big bodies that can move people and make good moves and create stuff for other people,” he added. “I’m not going to say the offense is going to change a lot, but there will probably be some differences.”[/QUOTE]

More easy transition baskets coming off better d at the other end. Definitely more pick and roll and motion offense with Al gone. G and Burks should be running the show until Burke shows he can too.

[QUOTE]Ah, yes. Enes Kanter.

The Jazz center spent the past 10 days working out and rehabbing at the P3 training center in Santa Barbara, Calif. He’s expected both to be fully healed from his spring shoulder surgery and to be a big contributor in Utah’s offense, something he showed he’s capable of doing while racking up 23 points and 22 rebounds while filling in for Jefferson against the Bobcats last March.

Hayward said the Jazz are going to need Kanter (7.2 ppg in 2012-13), projected starting shooting guard Alec Burks (7.0 ppg) and champing-at-the-bit Jeremy Evans (5.8 ppg) to fill the offensive void created by management’s new direction.[/QUOTE]

Yesterday G was the projected starting 2. Evans filling the offensive void? He's got a jumper now but that might be asking too much. Rush I'd look to more.

[QUOTE]It remains to be seen what Utah will get from Marvin Williams, who isn’t expected back from his Achilles tendon surgery until December, or from their new acquisitions. Burke, the 2013 national player of the year, was a prolific scorer in college (18.6 ppg), but the 6-1 playmaker struggled mightily while shooting just 24 percent overall and 1 for 19 from 3-point range in the Orlando Pro Summer League.[/QUOTE]

I'm not expecting anything from Marvin but a place at the end of the bench and an eventual trade. I'm hoping Burke isn't the complete bust he looked like in Summer League.

[QUOTE]And the incoming veterans?

Combined, Jazz additions Andris Biedrins, Richard Jefferson, Brandon Rush and John Lucas III averaged 3.1 ppg, 1.7 rpg and 0.9 apg last season.

Even if they have outstanding offensive years, Hayward and Favors can’t do it all.

“We’re going to have to find other ways to get other people involved,” Hayward said. “But, yeah, Derrick and I are going to have to step up big-time — not just in a leadership role but in a production role.”

Hayward, a versatile 6-8 wing, has been working hard to improve his ballhandling skills and his ability to find better ways to finish close to the basket, whether it be with floaters, pull-up jumpers or other creative shots.

“I see everything — drives to the basket, pull-up jumpers, everything from him, man. He’s doing a lot here,” Favors said of Hayward. “I think he can take on that role of being the leading scorer on the team.”

Favors, being tutored by the Mailman, continues to search for his “go-to move,” and he showed a couple of promising glimpses in a scrimmage Tuesday. He drew a few “oohs” from the small crowd while powering past defenders for a dunk, and he used his imposing athletic ability for a 6-foot-10, 248-pound man with an equally impressive spin move in the post to get to the foul line.

“There’s a lot of stuff I can do. I’m multi-talented, man,” Favors said. “I’m going to be a lot more aggressive this upcoming season because we don’t have Al or Paul here.”

Hayward won’t argue with his teammate on that multi-talented part.

“Derrick is still developing his game down low. What he’s best at in my opinion is setting screens, rolling, finding the open area, and just making power finishes. He can do that with anybody in the NBA,” Hayward said. “He’s gotten tremendously better since he came into the league with his post game, and he’s only going to get better doing that.”

Hayward doesn’t believe that the Jazz’s renewed emphasis on building a “defensive foundation” — something Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey said will be more important than 2013-14 win-loss totals — is out of necessity due to a lack of firepower. He sees it more as giving the team more transition opportunities from making stops.

“Defense is what wins ballgames," Hayward said. "We’ll be able to score.”

Favors emphatically agrees.

"Points will come from anywhere," he said. "Last year, because we had Al and Paul, mostly we were a post-up team because those guys were out there killing everybody. But there's different ways you can score points."

EMAIL: [email]jody@desnews.com[/email]

TWITTER: DJJazzyJody[/QUOTE]

Ian Clark Receives Interest From Warriors, Blazers, Jazz, European Teams
Jul 23, 2013 6:09 PM EDT

Ian Clark is receiving interest from the Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz following a strong performance in Summer League.

Clark played for the Warriors in Las Vegas and for the Miami Heat in Orlando.

"I'll sit down with my agent and family and talk about," Clark said. "I don't know too many details. But I want to make the right decision.

"I'm trying not to pay attention to what I can't control. I just wanted to come out, play basketball and play well."

Clark is a 6-3 combo guard that is also receiving interest from European teams.

Clark played collegiately at Belmont.

Via Jeff Zilgitt/USA Today

[QUOTE]With Kanter sidelined because of offseason shoulder surgery, Malone

Mo Williams has told friends in the league that if the offers don