Ranking each Utah Jazz player in season-opening win
By Matt Giles
10. Evaluating Utah Jazz guard Jared Butler against the Thunder
Stats for Jared Butler:
- Nine minutes
- Zero points
- 0-for-5 from the field, 0-for-4 from three
- One rebound
- One assist
- Zero steals
- Zero blocks
- One turnover
- One foul
Chalk up Jared Butler’s struggles, primarily of the cold-hand variety, to nerves. The rookie guard and former No. 40 overall draft pick exhibited the most promise of any Utah Jazz newbie in the preseason, as he led the team in scoring at 18.0 points per game while showing off a wealth of top-shelf perimeter abilities. However, the real-deal regular season presents a different beast.
Stats count toward averages. Intensity heightens. Guaranteed playing time disappears. And in the case of the 6-foot-3, 195-pound Butler, the rim probably seemed smaller than usual from 3-point land. His early turnover via a dribble off his legs likely didn’t help to settle his nerves either.
No worries. Coaches, teammates, and fans have already witnessed what the 21-year-old former Baylor national champ can do on the floor. In short, expect Butler to loosen up considerably next time out — a road environment should help take some pressure off — and then solidify his role as a quick-spurt sub for 34-year-old point guard Mike Conley as the season progresses.
Goose eggs in the scoring column should soon be few and far between for Butler.
Player grade: 72 (C-)