Keyonte George hasn't been the Utah Jazz's best player this season, but he's been their biggest story. Enough time has passed now that his excellent play at the start of the season should no longer be cautioned as a tease. While Jazz fans know this by now, now Zach Lowe is all aboard the Keyonte George hype train.
On "The Zach Lowe Show," the renowned sportswriter made it clear that he thinks George could definitely make the All-Star team in the future.
"Keyonte George looks like a real guy," Lowe said. "...He looks pretty real to me. Not saying he's an All-Star right now or maybe in the future, but I think he's got a shot to make an All-Star team in the future. Every part of his game has matured and gotten better."
Lowe isn't saying anything the fans don't already think about George at this point, but his belief in George is a welcome 180 from how he felt about George back in May. There was legitimate concern about where his career would go from here, and now he's played well enough that one of his harshest critics has changed his tune on him.
It also goes to show that George could get better from here
Lowe said it best in that George has played well enough that he could make an All-Star team either now or in the future, but it's not a given. Those kind words indicate that George could take it to another level if he keeps going.
If there is another gear in his game, then it only works out for the Jazz. They've wanted a young cornerstone to build around, and now they finally might have one with George, and who's to say he will only be the other one.
What also works against George is that the Jazz's defense is pretty downright terrible despite their overall improvement as a team. If they improve on that side of the floor - which George himself could take part in - that could lead to more wins, which would get him more recognition over time. It might not happen this year, but it could be on the table.
The NBA typically does not reward players like George primarily because he's not playing for a winning team. That could change if the Jazz's winning rate increases. That probably won't happen this season, but the Jazz are trending upwards, so this could be an even better case next season.
Even if George doesn't make the All-Star team, he's played well enough that he is a legitimate campaign. No one would have seen that coming at the start of the season.