Utah Jazz ’17-18 review: Alec Burks’ roller coaster year

After a season full of ups and downs that eventually culminated in a triumphant playoff return, describing Alec Burks’ season with the Utah Jazz as a roller coaster might be underselling it.

Finally healthy, Alec Burks seemed primed to achieve his long-awaited breakout year in the ’17-18 season with the Utah Jazz. A strong preseason, which saw Burks start the year 8-of-10 from beyond the arc, only served to fan the flame of Jazz fans’ excitement.

Before the season began, I pegged Burks as Utah’s biggest surprise for the upcoming season.

Throughout the preseason, AB’s confidence and court vision appeared to be much improved from previous campaigns. Dante Exum‘s preseason injury further opened the door for Burks to live up to his lofty expectations.

The stars were aligning for Burks to prove why the Jazz drafted him with the 12th overall pick in 2011. And better yet, prove worthy of his four-year, $42 million contract extension.

All systems go, right? Not so fast.

Despite Exum’s heartbreaking injury, Burks’ path to legitimacy wasn’t going to be as simple as anticipated, not if Donovan Mitchell had anything to say about it.

The rookie phenom didn’t waste any time proving that his electric preseason play wasn’t a fluke. Mitchell quickly proved to be the offensive answer the Jazz desperately needed, making his first career start in November. Mitchell and the Jazz never looked back.

Despite Mitchell’s surprising rise to stardom, Burks continued to prove that he was still a potent offensive weapon. Eight straight double-digit scoring efforts starting in late-November offered a glimpse at what AB could offer this team if set free.

Unfortunately for the Colorado product, the Jazz had yet another rookie on the roster that was outplaying his expectations in Royce O’Neale. The impressive two-way play of O’Neale signaled the beginning of the end for Burks.

AB’s minutes dropped from 20 per game in December to just over nine per night in April. To make matters worse, Burks failed to record more than eight points in a game during February or March.

Burks was lost at the end of Utah’s rotation and his role on the team was in serious jeopardy. Exum’s late-season return and tightening playoff rotations should have ended all hope of a Burks’ success story, right?

Again, not so fast.

Despite a number of disheartening setbacks, Burks remained ready to go when his number was called.

A minimal role in Utah’s first-round series against the Thunder saw Burks average just over five minutes per night. In Utah’s second-round matchup against the Rockets, however, Burks came to play.

While Utah was overmatched against the NBA’s number one seed, Burks did his best to keep the Jazz competitive. Burks averaged nearly 12 points per game to go along with four rebounds and three assists. Not bad for a guy whose season was considered lost, right?

All in all, Utah’s front office still has a large question mark looming about what Burks’ future is with the team. However, Burks’ ability to stay healthy and his performance on the season’s biggest stage should only help his case.

In the words of the great Donovan Mitchell, shout out to Alec Burks! 

Next: A Moose in Utah? Greg Monroe and the Jazz Could be a Good Fit

What do you think, Jazz fans? What should Burks’ future with the Jazz be? Let me know in the comments below or Tweet me @TylerDThorpe.