Utah Jazz report card: Player grades at quarter-season

Overall GPA: 1.80 (C)

In my first team grades, Alec Burks received a D-plus which was the lowest on the team. With such a poor start to the season, Burks should have seen a decreased role going forward, right? Again, wrong.

Burks was one of the major recipients of minutes due to the injuries. Burks has proven to be a decent spark plug off the bench. While he continues to play with his trademark recklessness, Burks has shown that he can be an effective passer and rebounder when he slows down his game.

Despite shooting 1-of-10 on back-to-back nights against Philadelphia and Orlando, Burks has posted 10-plus points in five of Utah’s last 10 games.

If Burks can play under control and improves his ability to finish at the rim, he may just turn out to be a solid bench piece for a team desperate for shot creators.