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SALT LAKE CITY -- Alec Burks is still just a rookie. He is 20-years-old and has played in a total of six games. Yet there is a group of fans that want to see what his upside, aggressiveness and athleticism can do on a regular basis, in short they want to #freealecburks.
@Neildos tweeted this before the Jazz' 94-85 victory over the Grizzlies Friday, "Woah, Alec Burks PER this season is 23.22! Which only trails MarShon Brooks by .02. Small sample size I know but still... #freealecburks"
What does "freeing Alec Burks" entail? Is it akin to billboards in Denver asking the Broncos to start Tim Tebow? Is it unleashing him to control the ball at all times like an Allen Iverson? Or in the end is it just a group of fans that don't know the role of the young man and want to see upside?
His upside has shown when he gets minutes he is able to produce. In 28 minutes against the Bucks he got to the free throw line 10 times and had six assists.
"Its confidence," said Al Jefferson of Burks' improvement. "The more and more confidence he gets the more and more you see that old Colorado player, his confidence is coming, you can tell every game."
Coach Tyrone Corbin has maintained his starting lineup for most of the season, which includes Raja Bell at the shooting guard spot, to the dismay of some in the #freealecburks movement.
@VinViscious tweeted, "Sorry Raja. #freeAlecBurks"
Bell is still getting the starts, but Burks is making Corbin notice when he gets in and gets his minutes.
"He's playing hard enough to get more minutes on the floor and he'll continue to get better as we go forward." Corbin said.
Burks knows that he is just a rookie, in case he forgets he was given a pink backpack by his teammates to remind him. He said before the season started that he just wants to contribute.
After the victory over the Bucks he said, "Attack or be attacked."
A common thread that comes up when talking to the rookie from Colorado is aggressiveness. This is shown from 18 free-throws this season, which is fourth on the team despite being 11th in minutes.
Against the Grizzlies, Burks got the line five times, making three of his attempts and finishing the night with seven points and three rebounds.
@jeff_winget tweeted, "Burks lives on the line. #freeAlecBurks" His athleticism is shown when he attacks and runs the floor.
"He's dynamic in transitions and he's a guy that's only going to get better," said Earl Watson, who has played with Burks off the bench. "You kind of see him taking steps, and when that happens we'll be really good at that position."
Even though the #freealecburks movement looks at the upside in Burks' offense compared to Bell, which is a quantifiable 6.7 points per game to 2.4, he is going to get playing time in this system because of his defense. He uses his athleticism and length to disrupt players on defense.
"Tonight he did a tremendous job on the defensive end of the floor," Corbin said of Burks who played more than 15 minutes off the bench against the Grizzlies. "He's getting his body on guys, trailing guys, getting physical using his length to close guys in and staying between them and the basket and he is continuing to get better."
The Jazz have won four games based on their defense keeping their opponents under 100 points and the rookie knows that is what he has to do to play.
"It's going good," Burks said of his defensive play. "That's why I'm on the court, must be going good,"
While defense may not be as glamorous as putting up big numbers if the Jazz are going to #freealecburks he is going to have to lock up the opposition.
Email: jmoore@ksl.com
