Utah Jazz: 2 studs and 1 dud from win vs Houston

Utah Jazz stud: Jared Butler

Butler’s performance last night came in stark contrast to a significantly more famous rookie guard in Houston Rocket Jalen Green. While Green was given a light befitting his name, shooting an ugly 3/16 from the field in 30 minutes, Butler still spent most of this game on the pine for the Utah Jazz.

When he did see action, he made the absolute most of it.

In 14 minutes, Butler finished with 4 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks and 2 turnovers. We’re not going to do the math required to extrapolate those numbers on a per 36 minute basis, but they would be absurd.

Butler was a whirling dervish against the Rockets: admittedly, not always for the betterment of the Utah Jazz. Turning the ball over twice in 14 minutes is definitely suboptimal. Of the two miscues, a pass stolen by quick-handed Rockets rookie Alperen Sengun was forgivable, but an easily-avoided offensive foul definitely classified as a rookie mistake.

Nonetheless, Butler gave Quin Snyder exactly what he wants to see from the rookie floor general in the fourth quarter of a blowout: relentless energy. Nobody expects 2 blocked shots from a point guard, but when they come from a rookie in 14 minutes of play, it’s almost hard to believe. Coupled with Butler’s 4 rebounds, it’s apparent that this kid plays hard enough to assure himself a bright future in the NBA.

Butler was also aggressive in trying to create offense for himself and his teammates. Obviously, a one-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio is not ideal, but it is to be expected from a rookie point guard. Moreover, his single made field goal was an impressive stepback 3 from significantly behind the arc.

Butler’s hustle and offensive gifts were on fuller display than they’ve been at any point in this young NBA season. Utah Jazz fans should feel reassured that they may have landed the steal of the 2021 NBA Draft.