Alec Burks never averaged double digit points until his 3rd season in Utah and spent most of his career being a net negative on the court(way worse over players you dramatically cry about). He was never a good defender in Utah. His defense is average at best right now because he has Robinson/Noel behind him for when he gets beat. You can't even make a list of players Burks has "shut down" with his defense, so stop acting like he can clamp dudes up. Burks defense...if it was so great, why did Utah fans for multiple seasons begged management to ship Burks away? Most Jazz fans were pissed when they resigned him and he didnt live up to his contract. Burks did absolutely nothing for us in the playoffs.
career in the playoffs:
10 ppg
39% FG
32% 3PT
Burks is fine where he is now. A reserve off the bench on limited minutes. We win one game with Burks starting and dramaboys, want to proclaim Burks the franchise player of this team.
Mental.
RJ in his 3rd year is light years ahead of Burks in his 3rd year and overall RIGHT NOW despite RJ's slump
RJ shot 40% in his
SOPHMORE season on 17 ppg and good defense.
It took Burks 5 seasons to become that kind of shooter and his defense was very ass in his 5th year.
a developing 21 year old who averaging 6 rebounds per game, dropped a career high (higher than Burks goofy)
RJ will be a better defender as the season comes along. His potential is CLEARLY there and you guys eat too much within 20 games. Do you guys even watch games at this point or just check scoreboards? RJ constantly fighting over screens and his strength has been an asset.
the end this debate comes by asking the forum who they would rather have if their shooting % average out through the season.
It's easy to claim "Burks is better" because RJ is shooting below his career averages. But if you project RJ to stay around 39% shooting, obviously the K2 consumption is real in your life and you need serious help.
RJ will have a long season to drop multiple 30 point games. His numbers will be normalized and so will Burks. It's not even close. RJ is a legit corner stone of this franchise at age 21 and Alec Burks is just a reserve who can be easily replaced.
People take small sample sizes and want to run a non-sensible take. At best, Alec Burks is Tim Hardaway Jr with less offense slightly better defense, but not good enough defense to say he's "good".
What will put RJ ahead of Burks always is RJ has very active hands and feet. Plus has strength to absorb bumps on picks, where as Burks get devoured for free. RJ had one of the best plu-minus in defensive ratings at his position last year(way larger sample size than 20 games)
RJ was drafted into a system that matches his skill-set...Burks was sign to be a reserve.
Imagine if we had a situation like Jimmy Butler or Paul George who took a while to develop (longer than RJ), bussychild would of raged over a few losses and streaky games and proclaimed someone like Burks is better right now without considering skillset.
K2 consumption is dangerous and I invite you guys to use post like that as an example on why to never experiment with drugs. RJ is still 5 years from his prime. Butler wasn't even in the NBA at age 21. RJ already has 3 seasons on his belt. RJ was holding guys to 35-40% in the season and bussy was quiet af. When RJ comes back and does it again, you'll know who will get quiet. Fake Knick fans giving up on a 21 year old
