For eight matches, the Jazz played without a professional playmaker in their major five. This undoubtedly explained the too many balls by Will Hardy’s players. Then the latter “took advantage” of Walker Kessler’s injury to include Keyonte George among the starters.
Three matches later, the rookie is averaging 9 assists and the Jazz have won two matches out of three. And if Jordan Clarkson averages 29.6 points over the last three games, it’s no coincidence.
“I find that Keyonte George’s ability to offer Jordan and Lauri Markkanen easy, rhythmic shots during the match helps us enormously,” judges the coach for Deseret News. “When you’re a strong offensive player and defenses are focused on you – like Jordan and Lauri are experiencing – then it’s hard to find good shots. Keyonte helps them get open shots. »
He is already seducing his teammates
Jordan Clarkson confirms that the presence of the rookie allows him to shine in attack. “He knows how to play. He is smart and he understands things very quickly. He showed he can pass and does an outstanding job running the offense.”lists the former best sixth man of the season.
Like the rear, Lauri Markkanen and John Collins also benefited from the offerings of Keyonte George in the victory against Portland, during which the latter compiled 15 points and 7 assists. Having such weapons around him makes his life easier.
“Jordan Clarkson is at his best when he has a lot of space,” he explains. “He can score in lots of different ways. I know he will make the right choice with every action. »
Keyonte George | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
2023-24 | UTH | 10 | 23 | 37.7 | 30.8 | 75.0 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 4.6 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 7.3 |
Total | 10 | 23 | 37.7 | 30.8 | 75.0 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 4.6 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 7.3 |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.