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Since his return to the Utah Jazz lineup, the biggest change in Alec Burks may actually not be a physical one.
Take Thursday night's win over the Denver Nuggets for example. Burks, Utah's sixth man, found himself in the lane time after time off the dribble. And time after time, Burks made the right decision, found the open man, and put that person in position to score.
By the time the Jazz finished a resounding victory, Burks had himself a career-high eight assists. Coming off his shoulder surgery that cost him most of last season, Burks has no doubt made physical improvement. But the thinking game might be where he's made the most gain.
"Sitting out the last year, I saw the different types of coverages people used, and I think it's helped me a lot," Burks said. "I've slowed down a lot. I think the last year I was going as fast as I could. Now, I think I'm more mature and making some better decisions."
Burks said he benefited last season from watching Gordon Hayward and Rodney Hood move on the court, and watching how they run pick and roll sets. This season, Burks isn't starting games, but he's finishing most games and is currently averaging a career-high 15 points a night.
The Jazz faced the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night, something that was significant because a road game at Memphis last year was the final game for Burks.
"I remember this because that was the last time we had Alec," Utah coach Quin Snyder said. "He's got a long way to go, and I mean that in the most complimentary fashion. There's a real hunger for him looking at people play and how they are doing. I feel like his passing is growing and his maturity is growing."
Closer to 100
Derrick Favors said on Saturday morning that he's feeling a lot better, after being plagued for the last two games with flu-like symptoms. He stayed after shootaround to get some extra post work done with assistant coach Tony Lang. Favors missed the second half of Utah's win over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.
"I'm better now," Favors said. "I feel like I have a lot more energy."
Stay on the floor
Snyder said foul trouble is putting a wrench in his first half playing rotations, and has done so in the last few games. Staying away from foul issues is important going forward, Snyder said.
"Every first half, it seems we're in foul trouble," Snyder said. "That's disruptive to a team."
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