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Does making the All-Summer League first-team matter for Keyonte George and the Utah Jazz?

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 08: Keyonte George #3 of Utah Jazz controls the ball against the LA Clippers during the first quarter of a 2023 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 08, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 08: Keyonte George #3 of Utah Jazz controls the ball against the LA Clippers during the first quarter of a 2023 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 08, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)

The Utah Jazz’s Keyonte George earned first-team All-Summer League

The Jazz’s Summer League went as well as one could hope. They went 4-1 in the Las Vegas league and did so with style. While the team suffered injuries, none of them were that serious, which means that the team won’t have to worry about any long-term consequences or any missed time.

The team also saw the potential leveling up of Johnny Juzang, who shot lights out for the team. His performances earned him another two-way deal with the Jazz. Luka Samanic was also a big winner coming out of Summer League, as he was able to showcase his versatility as an offensive threat.

But it was arguably Keyonte George who had the biggest uptick during the league. He had two huge games and got people talking and despite only playing in portions of three games total, he warned himself a first-team selection for the All-Summer team.

But, is this a big deal?

Some names, including some current Jazz players, have not only made the All-Summer League team but have gone on to regular-season success. The Cavaliers Jarrett Allen made the team in 2019, as did the Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson. Current Jazz player, Kendrick Nunn, also made the first team that year as well.

In 2021 it was less impressive, with names Davion Mitchell and Obi Toppin making the first team. In 2022, Keegan Murray not only made the first team but was MVP as well. Quentin Grimes also played well and saw his regular-season performance rise in production as well.

So while earning the selection isn’t something to snub your nose at, it isn’t a guarantee that George ascends to any particular heights. The thing that is helping George more than the Summer League award is that the Jazz need a player like him at point guard.

The Jazz are not settled at the position. Right now Collin Sexton seems to be the starter, but he’s not a traditional point guard, as he’s a shoot first-pass second type of guy. That could work if you have a guy like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Nikola Jokic, but the Jazz doesn’t have that point-forward, point-center player.

So George’s passing could be the reason that he gets more minutes than previously thought, not so much his two games outing in the Summer League.

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