Utah Jazz rookie Keyonte George showed off in a career-best game so far.
The Utah Jazz are really hoping that Keyonte George can continue to showcase this type of play going forward. The rookie has had an up-and-down preseason and season so far, having some really stellar games followed by some really awful games. Yet, when the Jazz took on the Phoenix Suns, George showed off in what was easily his best all-around game.
He shot 5-11 from the floor, and 3-6 from three, all while hitting 2-3 from the free throw line for a total of 15 points. He also had six assists, three rebounds, and a steal. He did have three turnovers and two personal fouls, so it wasn’t a perfect game, but he played very well considering everything.
The Jazz have been significantly better with George guiding the offense, with the team averaging 122 points per game in the four games he’s started. The offense is shoring and his addition to the starting five has allowed Jordan Clarkson to seemingly return to form. And while the Jazz can’t win with Clarkson taking 20+ shots per game, seeing Clarkson be on a whole new level of efficiency is a sign of what George can offer the team.
George still needs to work on his defense, as he’s let too many guys get buy him, but the idea is that when Walker Kessler returns to the lineup, the Jazz will be better prepared for teams like the Phoenix Suns, who are just loaded offensively.
So while the Suns did beat the Jazz 131-128, the Jazz really did show they could hang with other teams. And if the Jazz can find a way to get George, Oachai Agbaji, and Walker Kessler into the starting lineup without losing much offense, then the Jazz could realistically become a playoff team once again.
They just need to work on their help defense.