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Utah Jazz: Why The Point Guards Aren’t Weak Anymore

By DJoumbarey A. Moreau

Apr 8, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) dribbles the ball as Sacramento Kings guard Andre Miller (22) chases during the third quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Utah Jazz on the game 103-91. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) dribbles the ball as Sacramento Kings guard Andre Miller (22) chases during the third quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Utah Jazz on the game 103-91. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s been said that if you cut off the head of the snake, then the body will fall. That proverb is more non-fictional than it is proverbial, but on the basketball court for the Utah Jazz last year, it didn’t ring true.

In basketball, the point guard position is looked upon as the head of the snake since he’s the person calling out plays and telling everyone the adjustments that need to be made. In essence, he’s the coach on the actual court. For the Jazz last year though, that head of the snake was Trey Burke.

However, Burke lost his starting spot and the Jazz ultimately saw themselves with a better record when Dante Exum was inserted into the starting lineup. This year Exum begins the season out due to a torn ACL injury that he suffered while playing for the Austrailian National Team. He’ll most likely miss the entire year, which means Burke is back in the No. 1 position.

ALSO ON HOOPSHABIT: Utah Jazz: 5 Reasons Why They’ll Make The Playoffs

Since Burke is back in the starting lineup, people are going to keep a close eye on his production because once again the Jazz have a formidable backup point guard waiting to take his spot. Raul Neto, the rookie from Brazil, has wowed many people with his playmaking ability during the NBA preseason. Now, Neto may never win the starting job over Burke, but there’s a bigger picture for both of these guards.

Raul Neto and Trey Burke both have to produce this year because next year when Exum returns, all three of them most likely won’t be on the roster together. If they all are on the same roster, then all three of them won’t be satisfied with the playing time they’ll get which means for Burke, and even a rookie like Neto, this is a make-or-break season. Exum will most likely get a pass not only because he’s only 20 years old, but also because he’s injured.

In addition, it goes back to general manager Dennis Lindsey not looking like he struck out in the draft by selecting Exum over stud point guards like Marcus Smart, Zach LaVine and Elfrid Payton, who were all drafted layer. Utah desperately wants Exum to pan out to be the player they imagined he’d become or it’ll look foolish for drafting Exum.

Now even though Utah didn’t get much production from the point guard position last season, this year it’s going to become one of the reasons why this team makes the playoffs.

Both Neto and Burke have one objective when they step on the court and that’s to set their teammates up for easy points. Neto is more of a natural passer because he’s so used to getting dimes and not attempting to look for his own shot. During the preseason, Neto has 12 assists and only 19 shot attempts.

Neto was created in that Ricky Rubio “I can’t shoot, so let me pass the ball every possession” mold and it works in Utah’s favor. It’s better to have a point guard that plays to his strengths instead of going outside of his game and showing his weaknesses.

For Burke, many people feel that his scoring ability, more so his shooting, is the weak part of his game and they’re not wrong. Burke knows he needs to shoot more efficiently and he’ll get there in due time. As far as his game is concerned, he sees himself as a Chris Paul-type of player and why not look up to one of the best point guards to ever play?

Burke’s assists need to come more fluidly, which means head coach Quin Snyder needs to start running more plays to get Burke to distribute more and look for his shot less.

Furthermore, the fact that Utah also has Bryce Cotton as its third string point guard is an absolute blessing. If anything were to happen or if he needs to substitute into a game, the team wouldn’t miss a beat with his presence on the floor. Last year and this summer, his game has been a true surprise for many to watch.

Nevertheless, the point guard situation in Utah is the best it’s been in three years. Will it equate to the playoffs? If it doesn’t, you can’t just say Exum would’ve been the difference and leave it at that.

Next: Utah Jazz: Why Alec Burks Is The Missing Link To Success

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