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New Orleans • He's shared words with His Airness and conferred with Jesus Shuttlesworth.
But there's still more for Utah Jazz rookie Trey Burke to learn, which is why his coach isn't worried about the point guard having to do a little extra work this week.
"You learn from the best guys in this league and what they do to keep themselves ready," Jazz coach Ty Corbin said of his rookie's trip to All-Star weekend in New Orleans. "The accolades that they achieve and they get from being the best in the league … And he has an aspiration of being one of those top guys in this league, so being around it he'll get a good taste of it."
Burke, the ninth overall pick in last year's draft, will be a part of two events this weekend.
On Friday night, Burke will play alongside Michael Carter-Williams and some of the NBA's best first- and second-year players in the Rising Stars Challenge. For Burke, it will be a chance to reunite with ex-Michigan teammate Tim Hardaway Jr. and former high school teammate in Jared Sullinger, all of whom will be on the same team.
"We're like this," Burke said of his old friends, crossing his fingers. "We're going to reunite and have a good time."
On Saturday night, Burke will team up with Portland point guard Damian Lillard in the Skills Challenge.
"They both should be fun," Burke said of the two events. "The game should obviously be a high-tempo game, and the skills challenge — both are exciting to me."
Davies impresses Sixers
Former BYU big man Brandon Davies was back in Utah on Wednesday, with the Philadelphia 76ers in town. Unfortunately for Davies, he's been sidelined by a fractured finger.
Still, Sixers coach Brett Brown had kind words for the forward.
"We really love him," he said. "He plays so hard. He's a great teammate. He's a towel swinger. He's one of those guys in the locker room where you really walk in and you enjoy seeing him."
Brown continued, "Even with multiple losses, he's someone who came in with tremendous heart and tremendous energy. He's got to continue to work on his skill package, but in relation to character and coming in and being a hell of a teammate and playing with toughness, I thoroughly respect the way he's gone about his job."
Stepping up
With Derrick Favors sidelined by a hip strain, Marvin Williams picked up some extra rebounding duties Wednesday, corralling a season-high 14 boards.
"He's been that guy for us all year," Corbin said. "Whatever you need from him to help us win, he's willing to do it."
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