3 things Keyonte George has to prove in camp to start for the Utah Jazz

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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – JANUARY 10: Raul Neto #19 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives against Jordan Clarkson #00 of the Utah Jazz during the second half at Vivint Arena on January 10, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

Can he play defense better than Jordan Clarkson?

So admittedly, Jordan Clarkson shouldn’t be seen as a real contender to start for the Utah Jazz, only due to the fact that Clarkson should be viewed as the team’s starting shooting guard, or their sixth-man who plays 30+ minutes a night. Clarkson is not a good point guard in the sense that he values distribution over scoring.

Clarkson will get to show some of that off in the FIBA World Cup, but for the most part, he’s always been known as a shooter.

He’s going to try and score first and foremost, that’s what his job is wherever he’s gone. So if he’s going to be a long-term option for the Jazz going forward, that’ll likely be his job. But, let’s say the rumors of Clarkson being in the running are true, what does Keyonte George need to do better than Clarkson?

He won’t be a better scorer from the jump, he’ll need some time, but from day one, George can lean into his aggressive mentality on defense. Glimpses of that were shown in the NBA Summer League, and if he can keep that desire to chase the ball down regardless of the side of the court he’s on, he may just find himself in the starting lineup sooner rather than later.

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