This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
On one play, Trey Burke executed a pick and roll, got into the lane and finished at the rim over Rudy Gobert. On another, the Utah Jazz starting point guard penetrated, pulled up and hit a 15-footer on a dime. The preseason is upon us. The regular season will be a marathon of 82 games. But through the first week of training camp and Utah's intrasquad scrimmage on Monday, Trey Burke seems to be improved from his rookie year. "He's had a really strong camp," Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. "I think he's stronger. I think he knows what we want defensively and is trying his best to execute. He seems like he has a better understanding of that the NBA is like. He's trying to be a leader out there, and that's a positive." Burke has as much pressure on him as anyone currently dotting the Jazz roster. And that's simply because the point guard position is as loaded as any in the NBA. Burke knows that every night he's going to see a guy who is either elite, or in the conversation. So he knows that he needs to improve. So far, he's pushing the ball consistently. He's making plays for himself and for teammates. He's making snap decisions. Now, Burke gets to show what he can do in Tuesday's preseason opener against the Portland Trailblazers. If he can make a leap, then it stands to reason the Jazz will be better for it. Through the first 15 games a year ago, Utah was a rudderless team, a group without a floor general. Not surprisingly, the Jazz were 1-15. Burke could be a key ingredient to a better start, if a better start is in the offing. Tony Jones