Keyonte George’s Development: A Critical Stretch Ahead
As we approach the midpoint of the NBA season, it’s time to focus on Keyonte George’s progress. The next 20-25 games are crucial for evaluating his development and potential as a key player for the Utah Jazz.
George’s rookie year was a mixed bag, with shooting struggles and a high usage rate that may have been too much to handle. I’ve always maintained that we should disregard the final stretch of last season when judging George’s performance, as he was playing without significant talent around him.
This season started rough for George, with one of the worst stretches for a regular NBA rotation player. However, there’s been a noticeable improvement in the last 13 games. He’s shooting 43% from the field and 39% from three-point range – numbers that suggest he could develop into a solid NBA starter.
The Importance of the Current Stretch
The upcoming period is critical because the team composition might change by February or March. George needs to capitalize on playing alongside veteran players who can create opportunities for him. This is his chance to show that he can be a viable fourth or fifth option on a competitive team.
What’s encouraging is George’s off-court maturity and on-court composure. He’s calmed down, stopped forcing plays, and is making fewer careless turnovers. His catch-and-shoot numbers have improved significantly, though his off-the-dribble shooting still needs work.
Defensive Concerns
Last night’s game raised some eyebrows about the Jazz’s defense, particularly with allowing an unusually high percentage of shots at the rim. However, this seems to be an anomaly rather than a trend. The Jazz have generally been good at denying rim attempts this season.
It’s worth noting that when we field lineups focused on player development, like pairing Isaiah Collier with Kyle Filipowski, our defensive metrics naturally suffer. This is part of the growth process and shouldn’t be overly concerning at this stage.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Jazz’s defensive strategies and player development, tune into the Locked On Jazz podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Jazz Podcast:
• Late game analysis of recent NBA matchups
• Phoenix Suns’ struggles and Kevin Durant’s usage
• Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets’ playoff potential
