The Good and Bad of Utah’s 2024 Summer League Debut

Basketball in the summer is a beautiful oddity on a variety of levels.

NBA hopefuls and burnouts clash with unpolished draft picks who were roaming college campuses or playing overseas only months ago.

The basketball is competitive, intense and possesses the defensive and hustle type mentality that many fans miss during the NBA regular season.

It also severely lacks the offensive competency and pure offensive awareness that makes NBA offenses the best in the world.

It is sloppy, it is chaotic and for some things better and more things worse, is really its own brand of basketball.

For example, last nights Salt Lake City Summer League tilt between the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies went down to the bitter end.

Wackiness ensued as Utah fouled Memphis intentionally while up three in the closing seconds.

Memphis Forward, Jake LaRavia made the first free throw and followed it up with a gorgeous miss, right into the waiting arms of Zach Edey who bullied past Jazz center, Walker Kessler, and tipped it in for the tie as the 0.8 on the clock expired.

Enter overtime, which in the summer league invokes the “Elam Ending.

Contrary to a regular NBA overtime period in which the clock ticks down to zero to signal the end of the game, the Elam ending provides a final target score in which the winner must be the first team to get there.

Overtime started with both teams at 90 a piece, and the final target score was set at 97.

Exciting right?

The game also featured 44 total turnovers, neither team shooting above 41 percent and a combined 16/69 from downtown for an abysmal 23 percent three point shooting performance.

And the kicker, 68 total fouls called between Memphis and Utah (you get ten fouls to give between each player in summer league) resulting in 63 free throw attempts, including the two that 2^nd year Jazz guard, Keyonte George, sunk to put the team at a game winning 97 points.

Beautiful and hideous all at once, this game was a prime example for a fan to experience everything summer league can give, and as one can tell, it’s all over the place.

So lets break it down, a quick good and bad list of every Jazz player who took the floor, because lets be blunt, most of the guys you saw last night for better or worse will be heavily involved in the rotation come the regular season.

WALKER KESSLER

Good:

As a third year guy in the NBA, Walker should show signs of being well above those he matches up against, and for the most part he did.

When the Jazz struggled In the first quarter, Kessler was a constant good, snagging boards, blocking shots and going head to head with Memphis prized rookie, Zach Edey.

He seemed to be battling for every potential rebound, finished a few plays by trailing and moving to where the ball was going, and flashed why Utah has high hopes for him.

Edey won some battles, Kessler won some battles and it was a good show, a jolly good show through and through.

Kessler finished with 5 blocks, 2 steals, 6 rebounds and 10 points as a +4 while playing the most minutes for the Jazz at 33 total.

Walker also looked more set and sturdy, less antsy, when setting screens up top, opening up multiple guards.

Bad:

It was Zach Edey in his rookie summer league debut going against statistically one of the better rim protectors in the NBA with Kessler.

Even if you believe Edey will slip seamlessly into the association, the former Purdue big couldn’t have drawn a worse Summer League match up to start out with.

Yet it didn’t seem to matter. Kessler did well with Edey’s size in moments, even had some epic stuffs of the Grizzlies big man, but struggled in big time moments.

Edey’s tip in? A byproduct of moving Kessler like Walker was the young inexperienced player.

A proper box out wins the game in regulation.

Edey had a couple of slams on Kessler, a nice turn around hook, and a final stat line of 14 points (58 %), 15 rebounds and 4 blocks

Going 4/8 from the free throw line, including two misses in a crunch time 4^th quarter doesn’t help.

Seeing Walker in Summer League play seems odd on paper but on the floor, you can see the room for growth as he flashes that potential.

Even so, ironically enough, Kessler was on the hardwood as trade rumors emerged about his potential value once again:

BRICE SENSABAUGH

Good:

Brice has put in work this off season and seems to have slimmed down.

Brice shot nearly 43 percent from deep going 3/7 from beyond the arc.

He was the 2^nd highest scorer with 15 total points.

Flashed some solid defensive instincts, forcing a travel, taking a charge, doing some of the dirty stuff.

Had some timely offensive rebounds and a nice putback.

Got inside a couple of different times and wasn't focused solely on hanging out on the perimeter despite his thee points success.

Bad:

The desire to get inside mixed with the struggle of creating separation from the Grizzlies pressure on ball resulted in a lot of turnovers.

Like I mean, a LOT of turnovers.

Sensabaugh turned it over 7 times next to 1 assist.

Out of Utah’s 22 turnovers Brice was responsible for about 32 percent of them.

After a couple of these turnovers Sensabaugh was quick to give up a frustration foul, ending the night with 7 fouls, more than anyone else on the floor.

For every good thing Brice did, he seemed to create two additional negatives at times.

Nailing that balance is going to be crucial to how his career plays out, but the offensive talent is apparent.

CODY WILLIAMS

Good:

The first overall pick for the Utah Jazz this previous draft (10^th) got his first chance to play in front of the hometown faithful.

He got the start, appearing for twenty minutes.

Williams didn’t touch the ball much, but when he did he made the most of it.

Going 3/5 from the field Williams flashed the ability to score in a multitude of ways.

Flashing a nice up and under against Edey, a tough step back jumper, and receiving a nice off ball dive pass for a score, Williams had a tough finish for ever bucket he scored.

With his brother, Jalen Williams of the Thunder in attendance, Williams made quick decisive choices like a tough rebound in traffic and fast outlet up the floor that led to a Kenny Lofton Jr slam.

Bad:

I have few nitpicks with Williams summer league debut.

The big talking point will certainly be sizing up as his career unfurls, as Williams looked undersized in the width department to some of the bigger bodied wings.

Also Jazz fans would love to see him get a bit more involved as the Summer league presses onward.

TAYLOR HENDRICKS

Good:

The former 9^th overall pick for the Jazz made some big crunch time buckets down the stretch.

With Utah trailing by 4 and a minute to go, Hendricks stepped into a three and knocked it down to get it within one.

He would follow that up with a big time jam down the floor next time out after a defensive stop to give Utah the lead.

His defense in overtime also forced GG Jackson into a travel, thus a Memphis turnover, in a crucial moment.

Hendricks maintained confidence and trust in his craft to the tail lend of the ball game which one has to admire.

Bad:

Despite the late game heroics, Hendricks was basically non existent up until then.

That made three? His first and only made three of the game, going 1/5.

His dunk? 1 of only 3 made shots on 9 tries.

Hendricks played 28 minutes with 8 points, 5 rebounds and a single 1 in the categories of assist, steals, blocks and turnover with 4 personal fouls.

It’s not as if Hendricks played overly poor, you just often didn’t know he was on the floor, and for a 2^nd year former lottery pick in summer league, that can be concerning.

As Hendricks flashed late in the game, you cant ever count him out and fans are likely anxious to see how he fares in his next summer league appearance.

KEYONTE GEORGE

Good:

Lots of scoring. A game high 30 points for last year's summer league darling is nothing to scoff at.

George was crafty, getting to the charity stripe a total of 19 times, 10 more times than any other player.

Jazz fans know that historically, Utah superstars have often had a hard time getting to the stripe as often as they should, so that was a big bonus for George who finished 17 of those 19 tries.

Two of these, aforementioned, ended up winning the game.

Keyonte knocked down three triples, had 4 assists and 4 boards to boot.

There were certain moments and plays where George looked a level above his competition.

Keyonte was also expressive and vocal on a team that will need that type of leader come regular season.

Bad:

There were also certain moments were George looked flustered, out of rhythm and forced a handful of shots that simply were not there.

Some of these contested shots, despite being tough looks were bailed out by Memphis fouling a jump shooter, so take that as you will.

At one point of the game, George had missed 9 consecutive field goals per the Jazz broadcast.

Like many others in the backcourt for Utah, George struggled to find separation against Scotty Pippen Jr..

This resulted in 5 total turnovers, 5 personal fouls and a just under a 24 % shooting night as a whole while attempting more shots than any other player with 21 field goal attempts.

That’s high usage with low efficiency, always a tough combo to swallow.

George wanted the ball in his hands late, especially in that overtime period but failed to capitalize on any of the looks and held onto the ball for long periods of time, which didn’t allow the offense to create a single thing.

Jazz fans are familiar with George and how well he can perform. The scoring is not an issue, George can find ways to get on the stat sheet, the ability to do it effectively with poise is what fans are looking at as the next step.

ISAIAH COLLIER

Good:

The 29^th pick of the draft was deemed as a steal by many, and after one game in the SLC Summer League, Collier and his play point more towards that being the case rather than not.

After a sluggish start and a struggle to separate from the Grizzlies defensive pressure, Collier found his groove and helped get Utah back in contention here.

Collier provided an abundance of needed energy for a slow starting team, getting into the lane, knocking down the deep ball and creating for his teammates next to getting into passing lanes ad causing chaos with his breakneck speed.

Collier, a 34 percent three point shooter at USC, shot 40 percent going 2/5 from distance.

Isaiah led the team with 6 dimes compared to only two turnovers. Rarely did the ball stick with Collier as he kept plays in motion.

14 points was the 3^rd highest mark for Utah, and any 1 V 1 Collier found himself in proved to be beneficial for the rookie guard who used his strength to get to the cup and punish single match ups.

Despite not starting, Collier closed the first half and the ball game altogether proving to be a crucial component of a Utah win.

Hit two clutch free throws when no one else was able to convert from the line.

Collier led the team with 3 total steals.

By the way, this guy is fast. It was no surprise to see him push the pace early and often.

His 5 made field goals were as many as Keyonte George and Brice Sensabaugh on ten less shots than George and one less than Brice.

Bad:

Early on Collier seemed to have to rely on his size and body to create distance between he and the defender instead of any type of dribble package.

Despite the clutch free throws, Collier did only go 50 percent from the line (2/4)

Fair to say, fans are incredibly excited to see what #13 does next, as he was the trending player of the game afterwards.

KYLE FILIPOWSKI

Good:

It is apparent that Utah wants to use the former Duke big as a 4 in the NBA.

Filipowski proved from the spot that he can keep the ball moving offensively with a couple of nice passes off of ball fakes where he worked his way inside.

His court vision seemed legitimate as a passing big and should be more than serviceable.

Had 4 rebounds.

Bad:

In order to be a “stretch” four, you have to be able to stretch the floor by hitting shots, something Filipowski did not do.

Kyle went 0/4, all which were three pointers.

Although not expected, Filipowski was not a rim protecting threat even as a help defender.

Nearly allowed a four point play on a Jake LaRavia jump shot, which was called on the floor prior to the shot thankfully, he will have to be more aware of how to work off NBA sized screens.

KENNY LOFTON JR

Good:

Lofton has slimmed down and has been clearly working on his craft.

He ran the floor well resulting in a couple of highlight slams.

Went 3 of 4 from the field and hit both free throws using his frame to perfection when it came to scoring inside.

You can tell that Kenny has the fundamental side of his game pretty well down with some nice ball fakes and spin moves.

2 assist to 1 turnover with his 8 points against his former squad.

Bad:

Missed an open three, I guess?

Had a turnover. That's all I got.

DARIUS BAZLEY

Good:

A lot of good from Bazley in the win.

Despite appearing in 6 games last year for the Jazz, many fans are still unfamiliar with what Bazley brings to the table.

Despite no “flashy” plays form Darius he was a steady force on the boards and defensively was a linchpin down the stretch in keeping the things intact.

He was effective from the field going 3 of 4 and ripped down 9 total rebounds, leading all Jazz players.

As a tying team high + 6, Bazley was simply doing what was asked of him, and that was more than enough.

Bad:

Missed his only free throw attempts which would have sealed the game in regulation.

Three turnovers.

CONCLUSION

The game was great fun, and a great reminder that Utah can still snag a high end lottery pick while holding onto Lauri Markkanen.

With the 97-95 triumph over Memphis, Utah now sets their sights on Oklahoma City at 7:00 Utah time tonight.