Sep 30, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz players from left to right forward/center Derrick Favors , guard Alec Burks (10) , forward Gordon Hayward (20), center Enes Kanter(0) and guard Trey Burke (3) pose for a photo at Zions Bank Basketball Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Most Valuable Player : ________________ <– Insert Here
This has been, to me, pretty much a tie among a few different Jazz players. I couldn’t decide who was leading, so I asked the other writers here at The J Notes, and I got confirmation on the answer. It really is a tie! I see four players on this team as being extremely valuable. Trey Burke, Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward, and Alec Burks.
You really can make a case for any of these guys to be the MVP up to this point. Each player has seen plenty of ups and downs this season. However, I will still make a case for each player.
As mentioned in the Defensive Player of the Year portion, Derrick Favors is a huge part of the defense. He makes a huge difference when he is out there. He has missed six games this season and it has resulted in an 0-6 record for the Jazz and has resulted in the defense giving up 103 points per game, which is about four more than with him on the court.
Trey Burke was a big part of the turnaround when the season started off so poorly. The Jazz only won a single game before he came back from injury. Since he has been the starting point guard, the Jazz are 18-20. Without him, the Jazz would more than likely be more towards the bottom of the rankings than they already are.
Alec Burks has been a key component off the bench. His scoring and driving ability has kept the Jazz bench afloat. He has the chance to turn into a viable sixth man candidate because he can score, and he is getting the minutes. If you take Burks out of the game, the Jazz bench isn’t as strong. Jeremy Evans and Enes Kanter have played well off the bench, but Alec truly makes that bench what it is.
Gordon Hayward, who we haven’t talked about yet, has been a big part of the team because of his all-around game. Hayward has been in a shooting slump as of late, but even in a slump, he still has so many different facets of his game that he can capitalize on to give the Jazz a chance to win. He rebounds, passes, steals, blocks, and scores night in and night out. So far this season, Hayward is averaging 16.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. The only other Jazz man in history to average those numbers is “Pistol” Pete Marovich.
I’m sure a lot of fans could even make a case for Enes Kanter to be one of the most valuable pieces for the Jazz. Possibly even Marvin Williams. There are positives and negatives to every player on the team. At this point of the season, I might have to give a slight edge to Gordon Hayward. He has a well rounded game that helps this team a lot. However, his lead is not a landslide by any means.
This Jazz season has had it’s ups and downs. I think, as fans, we have had quite a roller coaster ride so far. The roller coaster is only going to continue once the second half of the season starts. However, for now, let us all just kick back and enjoy All-Star weekend!