Exum the starter — don't fall in love just yet


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SALT LAKE CITY — Just before the Utah Jazz met the Milwaukee Bucks in Wisconsin last week, coach Quin Snyder made a change to the starting line-up that may signal the future for his young roster.

Dante Exum, the fifth overall pick in the most highly touted NBA draft in over a decade, would start at point guard in place of a healthy Trey Burke, the second-year guard, and top ten pick of his own.

Last season, for the first time in the proud franchise's history, the Jazz mailed in an NBA season in favor of a high draft pick and were rewarded with the lanky Australian point guard, brimming with unlimited potential.

In the first start of Synder’s roster shake-up, Exum helped lead the Jazz to a rare road victory over the playoff bound Bucks with a career high 15 points on the back of five made 3-pointers. The following game, he logged 13 points against the Brooklyn Nets, making 5-of-7 field goal attempts.

All was well with the Jazz's new starting line-up.

Until it wasn’t.

Exum reverted back to the 19-year-old rookie, with many a lesson to learn, in a disappointing Jazz loss to the rebuilding Boston Celtics. Exum failed to record a point in a nearly invisible 25 minutes, missing both of his shot attempts, notching only two assists and one rebound.


Of the 21 field goal attempts Exum has taken since being moved into the starting line-up, 17 have been from beyond the 3-point line. While he's shooting a remarkable 47% from beyond the perimeter, far above his season average of 32%, these aren't shots Exum is creating for himself. In fact, of his 10 made field goals as a starter, Exum has been assisted on all but two. Essentially, Exum is finding an open spot on the floor and waiting for the ball.

Was this a complete departure from the young confident guard that emerged in the previous two outings? Or were Exum’s stats more shine than substance?

Of the 21 field goal attempts Exum has taken since being moved into the starting line-up, 17 have been from beyond the 3-point line. While he’s shooting a remarkable 47 percent from beyond the perimeter, far above his season average of 32 percent, these aren’t shots Exum is creating for himself. In fact, of his 10 made field goals as a starter, Exum has been assisted on all but two. Essentially, Exum is finding an open spot on the floor and waiting for the ball.

While these baskets are important, and count just the same as a basket created in isolation, it highlights the limited role he plays as an offensive creator, a skill set he’ll have to further develop to become the upper-echelon star the Jazz organization needs him to be.

Trey Burke will likely play a role in Exum’s future as well. Since being moved to the bench, Burke is averaging 15.6 points per game, three points above his season average, and knocking down a respectable 37 percent of his 3-point shots.

Perhaps most impressive from Burke is his ability to bounce back from slow starts. Despite a 2-for-10 shooting performance to start the Boston game, Burke made 5-of-10 shots in the fourth quarter to lead a late game rally before ultimately falling short at home.

Exum made his first shot attempt in each of his first two starts for the Jazz, leading to confidence in more shot attempts. After missing his first shot 23 seconds into the Celtics game, Exum attempted only one more field goal in the game’s final 47 minutes and 37 seconds.

While Exum doesn’t need to force double-digit field goal attempts just because he’s starting, he can’t be afraid to make mistakes in a league where misses are inevitable.

Despite his poor outing against Boston, and Trey Burke’s bench resurgence, Exum deserves, and will likely get, another shot in the starting line-up. That is if he’s not too scared to take it.


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About the Author: Ben Anderson ------------------------------

Ben Anderson is the co-host of Gunther in the Afternoon with Kyle Gunther on 1320 KFAN from 3-7, Monday through Friday. Read Ben's Utah Jazz blog at 1320kfan.com, and follow him on Twitter @BenKFAN.

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