Utah Jazz scrimmage day grades

SALT LAKE CITY — Before the preseason starts, there was one last event for the Utah Jazz: a scrimmage.

It is the pre-preseason and an enjoyable time, unless you like good basketball.

Without recapping a game that doesn't matter here are some grades regarding the event.

First, the bland details: Two teams made up of Jazz players, Blue vs. White. The Blue team ended up winning by one, 44-43.

Gordon Hayward, Alec Burks, Trey Burk, Jeremy Evans, and Andris Biedrins started for White Scott Machado, Dominic McGuire, Rudy Gobert, Marvin Williams and Brandon Rush were also on the team. Williams and Rush didn't play, however.

Derrick Favors, John Lucas III, Enes Kanter, Richard Jefferson and Justin Holiday started for Blue, while Brian Cook, Lester Hudson, Mike Harris, Dwayne Jones and Ian Clark came off the bench.

In-game experience: B-

First and foremost, the video board was on for a “game” for the first time and that deserves an automatic “A,” but there were some things that weren't really working right.

There will be more on this topic in the coming days. The cameramen were a little shaky, the clocks weren't working and it was all a little rough, but there is great optimism though.

Introductions: B-

David Locke introduced the players. Every year this happens so Jazz fans can put a name to the face. This year there weren't a lot of fun moments from it. Locke's first introduction he called Holiday the wrong name, I believe he used Julian.

Kanter, Favors, Burke, Burks and Hayward drew huge ovations, but only Kanter and Favors really gave any fun moments in the brief interview. Hayward emceed the brief player controlled part in further cementing his role as a leader.

Rookie Dance off: D+

Every year the rookies dance at the scrimmage. The whole group was very underwhelming. Kanter set the bar incredibly high two years ago and was even brought back last year.

Rudy Gobert: C+

Gobert did the robot and some pop-and-lock, but it was very short, ironically for a 7-foot-2 player. He didn't really bring any energy to it and the rest of the rookies followed suit.

Ian Clark: B

Clark looked a little better dancing. He didn't do anything spectacular, but as quick as Gobert ran off, Clark ran off faster. He could have won the contest, but he needed to sell out and give 110 percent.

Trey Burke: B+

There wasn't anything really good from this dance-off other than it is clear that Burke wants to make fans happy. The same way Kanter wanted to make people smile, Burke wants to make fans like him.

His dancing was decent and he won the fan vote, but he was playing to the crowd at least.

Enes Kanter: F

OK, he's not a rookie, but fans and every other player cheered him on to dance, but he didn't. He got booed by the fans and the players seemed sad.

Kanter has earned his spot as a veteran after two rough years as Al Jefferson's back-up.

The fans: B+

The fans were pretty loud, despite not having much to cheer about for most of the game.

Remember, this is all grading on a curve.

Two years ago the top section had people scattered through it, this year the lower bowl had really good seats with no one in them.

Of course with the new screen they didn't have to sit as close, but there just weren't as many fans at this year's event.

They cheered the five projected starters really loudly in Burke, Burks, Hayward, Kanter and Favors. There was also a surprising applause for the new players, especially the Golden State Warriors newcomers, Biedrins, Jefferson and Rush.

Halftime: C

Based on what they could have done with a really good video on the board to get excitement way up, the Nu Skin Dance Team was a let down. They just danced. It was cool to see them on the big screen, but a highlight package would have carried the halftime a long way to quell some very bored fans.

White team: C+:

Going in I thought they were the better team with Burke, Burks and Hayward controlling the ball, but they came out really sloppy. They lost, which doesn't mean much, but their backups made the game close.

Here are a few player grades:

Trey Burke: D+

There are flashes of what he can do, but if he can't hit his shots, he will still be a disappointment. Burke was forcing the issue and couldn't connect on any of his shots. He had one or two brilliant plays, but very ho-hum overall.

Gordon Hayward: B-

Hayward was typical Hayward. He was very good at controlling the ball, making smart plays and hustling. He wasn't great by any means. He didn't hit as many shots as he should have, but he spent most of the game facilitating.

Alec Burks: B-

Much like Hayward he spent a lot of time controlling the ball, but just didn't finish all the time. He was a little sloppy and even his short-range game was off. Normally he is a wizard down-low, but couldn't get his shots to fall. He ended up OK, but didn't show off the great leap many thought he'd take.

The blunder of the night went to him for taking a two with no time left when his team was down three.

Rudy Gobert: BHe is better than people think he is. Gobert is very tall, but he actually plays tall and has the athletic ability to play even taller. He has a good touch and played very aggressively on defense, going up strong in a play against Favors, which ended up with Favors at the foul line. Gobert's offense is still a work, but he will play.

Scott Machado: B+

I wasn't focused too much on Machado, but he was the catalyst for the White team's mini-run that got it back into the game. He was cool, made plays and was the team's leading scorer for a time.

There isn't much to these, but he might be a third point guard for this team.

Dominic McGuire: B+

McGuire was the other leading scorer for a time for the White team. He didn't do anything out of the ordinary. He just took what he was given and made plays. He shot well and played different positions. Not sure what the Jazz want in a 13th or so man, but he could fit the bill.

Blue team: B+

The starters were clearly better and they had the best player on the court in Kanter.

Enes Kanter: A

This “A” is different from McGuire's because both are about expectations and Kanter nailed this part. He was the leading scorer on the night, and he played hard and aggressive on both ends of the floor. He showed a lot of improvement. Yes it's early, but he was the best player on this night.

Derrick Favors: A-

He was quiet and solid. He isn't the Karl Malone superstar that people want, but he just played well. Favors went to the bucket hard and played good defense. He hit his shots and got the free throw line. He still has to polish his offense, but the foundation is strong for the Jazz.

Justin Holiday: B

Holiday was good for what he is. Another player that didn't try to do too much. When he was open, he hit his shots. When he wasn't, he didn't force the action. He looked like he belonged in this league.

Ian Clark: B-

Clark made plays. He wasn't the best player on the court. He's not this great revelation, who will be a superstar, but he has been given a shot to play and he made things happen. He played on and off the ball and seemed comfortable in both, but he will play off the ball probably more from the looks of it.

Overall team: C+

They are young and talented. Against the rest of the league they would be a “D,” but for who they are now a C+ seems fitting. The offense was slow and sloppy. The defense was a little late, but for pre-preseason there was at least the base to build on.

Don't mistake this C+ for saying it was a good game because it wasn't. It was sloppy all around, but when things were actually clicking it wasn't too bad.

This will be a long year, but there are players that can make plays and the young guys can have their shot to show off what they can do.

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