Utah Jazz: Answers to 10 Big Questions at Midseason

Oct 28, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) is congratulated by guard George Hill (3) after a basket and a foul in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) is congratulated by guard George Hill (3) after a basket and a foul in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
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Utah Jazz George Hill
Nov 4, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) is introduced prior to the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. San Antonio won 100-86. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Who’s been the biggest surprise?

George Hill, hands down. Most Jazz people thought the team pulled a rabbit out of their hat when they turned the No. 12 pick in a ho-hum draft into Hill, and I was definitely one of them. What I didn’t expect was for Hill to come in and make this his team almost immediately.

Given the fact that he handled the ball about as much as Ian Mahinmi as a member Indiana Pacers, there was bound to be an uptick. But the 18-4-4 line, 52 percent shooting, 48 percent from three and the team’s 11-1 record when both he and Hayward are in the lineup is probably beyond anything we could’ve reasonably expected.

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