Nov 14, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Utah Jazz point guard Trey Burke (3) hits the game-winning shot as time expires against New York Knicks shooting guard J.R. Smith (8) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. The Jazz defeated the Knicks 102-100. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
There’s no way to get around it–Thursday was a day of mourning for Utah Jazz fans. Following the confirmation that Dante Exum has torn the ACL in his left knee and will likely miss the 2015-16 NBA season, it’s safe to say that the lot of us feel as if we’ve died a little inside. It’s a gut punch–a blind side jab to the very core of our Jazz fandom.
Nonetheless, I’m here to tell you that hope remains. The grand return of our boys in blue to the NBA Playoffs is still a possibility despite the cruel trick that the Fates have played on Exum and the entirety of Jazz Nation. We’ve still got a fighting chance and to find the solace we seek, we needn’t look further than third-year PG Trey Burke.
I recently expressed optimism that the former NCAA Player of the Year could surprise us all next season and would implore the rest of you to share in that hope. Because really, what choice do we have? Exum is out for the forseeable future and the former Michigan Wolverine is set to take up his mantle.
In order to foster our confidence in Burke and just in time for Throwback Thursday, here are three of our new starting point guard’s best moments since joining the Utah Jazz.
Trey Burke and Damian Lillard Win All-Star Skills Challenge
So it’s a silly contest during All-Star weekend–so what? You know you cheered your heart out when Deron Williams set record time in the Skills Challenge…and did so again when Burke teamed with Weber State alum Damian Lillard to take the title in 2014–
Burke Hits Go-Ahead Three with 1.6 Seconds Left Against Orlando Magic
Despite his shortcomings, one of the things that Burke really has going for him is his ability to take (and make) big shots in clutch situations. Here is an example of one occasion where the point guard showed that he has ice water running through his veins.
With the Jazz trailing the Magic 88-86 in the closing seconds of a late-season home game, the team went the length of the floor without the benefit of a time-out or a set play. The mission–tie the score or secure the win.
Enter then-rookie Burke with some last-second heroics–
Burke Beats the New York Knicks at MSG
As sweet as Burke’s game-winner over Orlando was, nothing can top his last-second jumper to sink Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks at the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden.
Next to Hayward’s dagger versus LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers or Trevor Booker‘s ridiculous shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder, it was probably the greatest moment of the 2014-15 season for the Jazz–
Of course, these are only snapshots. Burke still has a long way to go as an NBA player. Still, despite Exum’s unfortunate ACL injury, the never-say-die attitude of Trey Burke could be enough to help propel the Jazz into the 2016 Playoffs.
Or so we hope.
Next: A GIF Reaction to Dante Exum's ACL Tear
More from The J-Notes
- With the FIBA World Cup over for Simone Fontecchio, it’s clear he deserves minutes for the Utah Jazz
- Best, Worst and Most likely scenarios for the Utah Jazz this season
- Hoops Hype downplays the significance of the Utah Jazz’s valuable assets
- 3 Utah Jazz players who have the most to gain or lose this season
- Former Utah Jazz forward Rudy Gay is a free agent still and it shouldn’t surprise anyone