Four Missing Elements from the Utah Jazz Season So Far

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Dec 31, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) works out prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Some Alec Burks Houdini Magic

Sidelined for nearly the entire season due to undergoing and recovering from ankle surgery, Alec Burks has surely been missed by this Jazz team. At the start of the season, he was slotted to be Utah’s sixth man who would provide athleticism and an offensive punch off the bench that would be hard for opposing teams’ reserves to match.

Unfortunately, Burks has logged just 16 total minutes over the course of four games this year and has scored just eight points as he works his way back into game shape. After logging 20 minutes of play in a game with Utah’s D-League team the Salt Lake City Stars last night, hopefully that means that his return to normal playing time for the Jazz will be forthcoming.

Alec Burks said today's rehab game was only the third time he's played 5-on-5 in a year. He said this will be his only D-League game.
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) January 12, 2017

Alec Burks finishes with 13 points on 5-17 shooting, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal, and 3 TOs in 20 minutes playing for the SLC Stars.
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) January 12, 2017

Because while there’s been plenty of impressive plays from Utah’s team that’s stocked full of play-makers this season, it certainly hasn’t been quite the same without Alec Burks’ magic around the rim. He is an incredible finisher whose talent at scoring in ridiculous ways earned him the nickname “Houdini” as commentator Craig Bolerjack likes to constantly remind viewers.

Yet it’s a very fitting nickname as Burks is capable of converting on drives that don’t even seem physically possible. If you were in need of proof, check out a few of his amazing finishes below:

Getting Burks back at full strength and speed will certainly provide a boost for Utah’s second unit as a whole, but it will also add some excitement and thrills for the fans. If Alec Burks can get back to giving us a nightly dose of his Houdini magic around the rim, it will help fill a void that has been crucially missing from Jazz basketball this season.

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