Alec Burks discussion thread

[Jazzfan12]

Jamal Crawford perhaps? 2 guard that can fill in at one,good ball handler an passer but really a scorer through and through. Sub the three point shooting for an ability to get to the line, I could see them playing similar roles.

Jamal Crawford is one of the best shooters in the league.

[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

...is pretty small for his size...

Do you mean his musculature? He just hasn't hit an NBA-caliber doping program yet. There's only so much a college kid can do at Colorado. While I'm not sure the Jazz have access to whatever LeBron and Dwyane Wade are on, I'm sure he'll bulk up appropriately.

Ya he just has a smaller frame for a 2 guard. I understand he can put some weight/muscle on as he continues to grow into his body but I guess I was just enamored with guys like Leonard and Singleton who had NBA ready bodies now instead of later.

My comparison for him right now is a more athletic Rip Hamilton. I don't buy into his elite ball handling as of right now since the limited footage I've seen of him made it seem like he wasn't blowing by anyone but I've heard he is the best iso player in the draft so...idk, I'll wait to see. But for now, more athletic Rip Hamilton works for me. His predominantly mid range scoring and size seems comparable to Rip. If you traded Rips' 3 point shooting for athletic ability then you have Alec Burks (his high side).

I can't say he is comparable to Jamal Crawford because I haven't seen his supposed elite ball handling and iso sets and Jamal is a great outside shooter.

[woodstock17]

Jamal Crawford perhaps? 2 guard that can fill in at one,good ball handler an passer but really a scorer through and through. Sub the three point shooting for an ability to get to the line, I could see them playing similar roles.

Jamal Crawford is one of the best shooters in the league.

Everyone, when you make a comparison to a current NBA player, that does not mean that we think that that is what this player is going to be like from day 1. We are just saying that certain parts of the players game resembles another's in the NBA.

I dont mind saying that Burks reminds me of Wade. He is very athletic and very crafty around the rim. that doesnt mean that he is wade 2.0 and is getting ROY.

[eLo]

I hate putting this comparison up, but ill be damned if he doesnt remind of dwyane wade.

I had the same thought, right down to hesitating to make the comparison. So that's his absolute ceiling.

He also reminds me of Marcus Thornton. I'd be happy if he falls somewhere between those two.

That Thornton again good comparison, of course from my standing point guy who is not happy with this pick, i dont questioning his talent; athleticism but his head, and every one should know that mental issues is what count the most when it comes to guessing if someone will have successful NBA career. Although dont call me hater of his, as long guy is a Jazzman i wish him all the best.

[Jazzfan12]

Burks is a lot like Russell Westbrook

[carrottop12]

Jamal Crawford perhaps? 2 guard that can fill in at one,good ball handler an passer but really a scorer through and through. Sub the three point shooting for an ability to get to the line, I could see them playing similar roles.

Jamal Crawford is one of the best shooters in the league.

[countrybama24]

These comparisons are all terrible.

[StocktonShorts]

These comparisons are all terrible.

Make a better one then.

[woodstock17]

These comparisons are all terrible.

Make a better one then.

for real

[hoops4life]

Maybe there isn't one?

[Ugly0598]

He has similar skill sets like Dwyane Wade out of college, and they have a similar game it looks to me, but it doesn't mean he will put up the numbers or have the career that Wade will have, and Wade is an All-Pro defender in the NBA.

[countrybama24]

These comparisons are all terrible.

Make a better one then.

for real

Maybe there isn't one?

That's my point. Stop trying and peg players as "the next X," players are all different. He's not ronnie brewer because he's an athletic 2, nor is he dwyane wade, or jamal crawford because he's got handles and is labelled a "scorer."

If you really crave a comparison, I'm going with a skinny brandon roy with a much worse jumper.

[ADWCTA]

Looking at his footage, he reminds me a LOT of Ronnie Brewer on offense, without the gimped jump shot... with Matt Harpring's intensity on the boards... and CJ Miles' defense.

Looking at his situational stats, he's horrible shooting off the dribble, even if he can get great spacing and put a shot up. Yes, he'll shoot a clean shot, no it doesn't look like he's going to make it either way. I'm not sure this will actually improve, so Burks is going to end up wasting one of his best talents. Also, Hornacek never knew how to shoot off the dribble, he was always a much better spot up guy, so if they stick Burks with him, it's not like he'll develope into Jimmer.

That being said, he has really good shooting form, and as his ft% shows, he does have the potential to become an adequate shooter from midrange, and even extend to the 3pt line (think: Kirilenko, not Korver). This is the key element Brewer never had, which limited his potential as an NBA starter. I think everyone from KOC to Burks himself knows that Burks will live and die in this league by his eventual ability to add shooting consistancy and range to his repertoire.

He's also not freakishly athletic, just slightly above average athleticism for a NBA SG of his age. I don't know what everyone is so excited about here. We've seen Brewer, and Evans... who both blow Burks out.

He's clearly not as good of a defender as Brewer, nor does he have the necessary physical gifts Brewer has (long arms, large hands) on defense, even though he does look a bit quicker and with better reaction speed. Once he fills out his frame a bit, he'll end up an adequate defender at his position, but by no means a good one. Considering the recent dearth in the NBA of star SGs (and this draft didn't help, since Burks was widely considered the best SG prospect of the draft), this might not be a huge concern for the near future.

10% Chance All Star
40% Chance Regular Starter
80% Chance Rotation Player

Not bad for the 12th pick, not great either.
Compare with 14th pick in a deeper draft Ronnie Brewer, who had 0% Chance All Star, 25% Chance Regular Start... we did good. I would still have preferred to trade this pick for a vet who would help Raja set an example and tone for the kids / play 2-3 years to tie the franchise over, or trade up for Jimmer.

[MrBigShot]

I think he has more than a 10% chance to be an all star. This guy is definitely a top 5 talent in this draft and the Jazz were very fortunate to get him at 12...

He reminds me a little bit of Brandon Roy.

[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

He is a lot more impressive in person than he is on film or in interviews. I was really impressed by his length, he is as skinny as a rod but really long. If he can fill out his frame a bit more he could be a legit big time player. Also has much better/more personality than I first thought he did from listening to his interviews.

I'm starting to become more and more of a fan.

[Paper Face]

He kind of reminds me of a more handsome Steve Buscemi. Right before his character gets tree-chipped in Fargo.

Granted, Burks is not exactly a 40-year-old slime ball right now. But he just seems to exude the potential to have that sort of stink-eyed con man disposition common amongst seasoned pimps and private eyes. So that's where I would place his ceiling.

[Xsy]

Watch his mouth during interviews. It can't stop moving.