Nov 7, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) is defended by Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 89-79. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
3) Alec Burks: Closer?
After the Jazz elected to forego wing players during last summer’s free agent frenzy, GM Dennis Lindsey declared that the team’s big addition would be the returning Burks. As it turns out, Lindsey may have been onto something.
Aside from leading the team in scoring at 16.2 points per game, connecting on 52.2 percent of his three-point shots and helping to orchestrate the offense in triple-wing sets, Burks has been the team’s most consistent performer in the clutch.
In the last five minutes of regulation or OT with the winning team up by five points or less, Burks is averaging six points, shooting 58.3 percent from the field and has not missed a free throw. Many expected Gordon Hayward to be the go-to guy to close out games–nonetheless Burks has been the man in crunch time.
Next: No. 2