Summer League thoughts leading into the final game

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ORLANDO — The Jazz just missed out on a shot at the first Summer League championship game. After losing the fourth game to the Indiana Pacers they will play in the third place game against the Indiana Pacers. That game will be played at 8 a.m. Friday morning.

The Jazz blew out the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, sweeping the quarters to get seven points, then lost to the Pacers on Thursday. While the Summer League shouldn't mean much there are some things that can be pulled from these games.

Trey Burke got some inside work going. In the first quarter of the game against the Pacers he hit two contested layups. This shouldn't be a big thing, but he had struggled in the first two games.

Burke started the game 3-4, but ended 3-15. He sat out the game against the Nets and watched and talked to the coaches the whole game. The game off shouldn't be a telling moment. It might have been rest, coaching or just to see Jerel McNeal and Raul Neto get some playing time.

In the Pacers game where Burke played again he looked a lot more comfortable. He started well and, while his shots weren't falling, he made his teammates better and played his game. He has 11 assists in the three games compared to seven turnovers. Burke really should have about 15 assists, but there were quite a bit of easy misses after his passes.

He is probably frustrated and still rushing a bit, but it is slowly coming together. Burke will have growing pains, but there are signs of what he can do.

Gobert is really tall. He is also very raw, but has so many skills. His mind seems like it is working too hard on defense and maybe not hard enough on offense. He needs to be a lot more aggressive on defense and grabbing defensive rebounds. There is nothing wrong with being bigger than everyone else.

Gobert will just go on the offensive glass. When a shot goes up he just goes and gets it. On the defensive side he tries to tap out, jumps late or waits for the play to happen. When he gets a timing down he has the height and athleticism to be a really good rebounder.

On defense Gobert seems to wait a little on the low block as well. He might be just getting used to the physical nature, but he seems a little hesitant. He has become a little more aggressive in the last two games, and a rematch against the Pacers could be helpful in his development.

Summer League Stats*

Name	MPG	FG	3PT	FT	Off/Def Reb	Ast	Stl	Blk	TO	PPG
Jeremy Evans	23.75	16/28	0/1	8/11	11/16	8	5	5	7	10
Rudy Gobert	20.25	7/12	0/0	7/10	9/12	3	1	9	1	5.25
Alec Burks	18.6	12/29	2/5	16/20	4/0	3	2	0	6	14
Trey Burke	27.3	9/42	1/15	8/10	4/9	11	1	0	7	9
Chris Roberts	21.3	17/33	3/6	7/9	2/5	3	4	0	5	14.6
Dionte Christmas	20.6	9/21	4/10	6/6	1/12	7	3	3	7	9.3
Raul Neto	15.5	3/8	0/3	4/6	0/4	3	2	0	4	5
Jerel McNeal	21.5	7/18	1/5	1/1	1/0	5	6	0	5	8

What is missing from the box score is how much he deflects plays. Gobert deflects and adjust so many different levels of plays. He held Jonny Flynn in the backcourt to force Flynn into turning the ball over. Gobert can defend the pick and roll, either player. He can go with the point guard and stretch it out, or step right back to his man.

If Gobert can stay on the court he will help the defense for the Jazz. He has active hands and quick feet. Again this is just Summer League, but whenever he shows up near the ball the offensive player has to adjust.

Gobert is playing this well and he even has a problem with his foot right now. His is going in for what is essentially an ingrown toenail. His shoe was too small and he will go in for surgery in the next week or so. The recovery time is about 2-3 weeks.

Chris Roberts and Dionte Christmas should be playing at next level. Of all the players without contracts on the Summer League squad that have a real good shot at making the team these two probably have the best shot. Roberts played in three games and is the high-scorer so far averaging 14.6 points per game. He is shooting just over 50 percent from the field, 17-33. Roberts can play either wing position, so that should help with depth.

Christmas has looked really good and not so good on different days. He shot just under 40 percent and is scoring 9.3 points per game. He has grabbed 13 rebounds in the three games and has done a little bit of everything. He has seven assists and three blocks and three steals.

Raul Neto is real good. Smooth, great handles and is a pass first point guard Jazz fans should love. Keeps his eyes up. He is always looking for the play and never focused on one outcome on offense. His shooting is a question. He is 3-8 from the field in his two games. He has played with tougher competition and it shows in small details that he can do.

Jerel McNeal might have locked down the third point guard spot. He is under contract with the Jazz, but not guaranteed. He played both guard positions, starting a game at both. Mcneal had six steals in the two games.

McNeal and Neto could be the backups for Burke this season or neither could be on the roster. Neto wants to play this season. He might not be on the Jazz roster because he'd rather play in Spain than sit for the Jazz, which is probably a good idea. McNeal could be cut at any time with his non-guaranteed deal. Who will the Jazz have as backups instead? That might be the bigger question.

One last game for the Summer League squad. A rematch against the Pacers in the morning might be the last shot for these players to show what they can.

*Stats for every player will be available after the final game.