There has been a lot of talk about this season for the Utah Jazz being a season of discovery. We have seen flashes from all the guys in our young core. Now they have to show us what they can do. I have been doing a lot of thinking and while many of our player will not win and league awards, I thought I would give them team awards based on the same awards the league gives. So here we go....
MVP-Gordon Hayward
I look for Gordon to have a big year. He is going to have the opportunity to do what he does best, make plays. When I look back at his career at Butler and the run they made in the NCAA tournament, it wasn't always him scoring the ball. He was setting up his teammates, making plays and scoring when needed. I believe we will see plenty of that from Gordon this year. He will make his teammates better and give them opportunities to get easy buckets, because other teams defense will be keying on him
Rookie of the Year-Trey Burke
This is a bit of a no brainer, but to added to it, I have a feeling he is going to with ROY for the entire league! Trey has a chip on his shoulder, he knows that everyone is doubting him. That's when he THRIVES! I remember watching him as a freshman at Michigan. He was not highly touted, but he came out and has some great games as a freshman. Keep doubting, hating on him. It fuels the kid! He is a student of the game and works at his craft. I look for this kid to surprise a lot of people.
Most Improved Player-Jeremy Evans
Jeremy had a couple really good summer league games. Yeah I know, its summer league. But Jeremy has put in work and has expanded his game. I think his strength may come from playing with Kanter or Favors where he can be a weak side defender. He has also worked very hard on the pick and pop aspect of his game. I feel that the one thing that has held Jeremy back is the same thing that plagues Andris....confidence. I think Jeremy now knows that he belongs and can be a valuable role player.
6th Man of the Year- Andris Biedrins
Shocker! Yeah I said it! I think that Andris will have a bit of a resurgence here with the Jazz. I feel the key to this happening is the Jazz offense. If they run a lot of pick and roll like we expect, this will be to his advantage. He is mobile big that does a good job crashing to the hoop for boards and buckets. The flex offense won't do him any favors. So if we stay flex heavy that could really hurt him. The other thing to remember is Andris is a good defender. Again, playing along side another long athletic big will make the Jazz very strong down low. Oh by the way, we have a lot of long athletic bigs now!
Defensive Player of the Year-Derrick Favors
Ok if the last was a shocker, this is a no brainer. I watched the USA Basketball summer camp and scrimmage. Yeah Favs was hurt pretty early on, but he was active, vocal leader on the defensive end of the court. The trait that I have picked up on early in camp though, is his nastiness or demeanor. He is tired of the talk and wants to show what he can do. He wants to lead. He wants to win! I look for Derrick to have a big year and be a big presence on the defensive end of the court.
These picks are difficult with so many unknowns. There are other guys that could come out and surprise us. Alec Burks, Richard Jefferson, Brandon Rush could all have big years and I hope they do. 27 days to the start of the regular season and less than a week to the first preseason game! Let's go get it Jazz!
