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SALT LAKE CITY — Taylor Hendricks is looking for the little victories in his first preseason with the Utah Jazz.
And he does mean little.
"Just some simple things like being in the gap, like being in the stance and having my arms out every time," Hendricks said. "Being physical on certain switches and just like little stuff like that."
On Monday, Hendricks got his most significant moments of the preseason in Utah's 114-94 win over the New Zealand Breakers. He started the second half, and within moments he stepped in front of a Breakers' pass for a steal and then hit Keyonte George on an outlet pass for a dunk.
Add that to his list of victories.
Hendricks, the No. 9 pick in the summer's NBA draft, hasn't gotten the preseason run usually reserved for a top-10 pick — heck, even reserved for a first-round pick. Monday was the first time Hendricks played before fourth quarter mop-up minutes, and the first time he played over 10 minutes.
Part of the reason is roster construction; Utah has John Collins, Kelly Olynyk and Lauri Markkanen all playing at Hendricks' position. And part of that is that Hendricks simply needs some time to develop.
The Jazz are high on Hendricks' potential, yes, but that doesn't mean he's ready for real NBA minutes yet.
Jazz coach Will Hardy believes there should be no "free minutes." He's not going to play Hendricks — or anyone else for that matter — strictly because of where they were drafted; they'll have to earn their spot on the team.
That means the Jazz's top-10 pick — along with fellow rookie Brice Sensabaugh — will likely spend some time with the Salt Lake City Stars this season. It was the path Ochai Agbaji took last season before he broke into the rotation during the latter part of the season, and it helped Kris Dunn revitalize his career, too.
Dunn spent nearly all of last season in the G League with the Capital City Go-Gos. He altered his shot, regained rhythm, and has since gone from out of the NBA to being a key part in Utah's guard line.
So what's his advice for the rookies who will likely spend time at the G League level?
"Take it seriously," Dunn said. "I'm a firm believer that if you master the G League, you could master the league, because it's almost like a copycat with the same kind of playing style. You go down there and you try to find your rhythm, see what shots work for you; understand defense assignments, understand the reads."
The G League is a faster-paced league — having entire teams full of players looking to prove themselves has that effect — and Dunn said that if a player can find his rhythm there, it can make it easier back in the NBA.
"The G League is a little bit chaotic," Dunn said. "But if you can find pace within the chaotic, when you come to the NBA because it's in control, you can succeed."
It's also becoming more and more of a normal thing for teams to use their minor league affiliates to help in development of players. Even most of last season's first-round picks ended up playing at least one game at the G League level where they were able to get major minutes, understand their team's systems and, frankly, learn how to be a pro.
Many first rounders are still teenagers when they enter the league. Sure, there are few special talents that can break into a rotation immediately in the NBA, but a lot take some time to find their footing in the professional world. The G League can help with that process, and in some cases even accelerate it.
Because, like was the case Monday night, there's value in playing games.
"There's nothing like seeing yourself on film, because the film doesn't let you off the hook," Hardy said. "It's going to show you pretty blatantly what you did well and what you need to correct, so tonight is a fantastic opportunity for those guys to play; and tomorrow getting to learn from that film is equally as important."
They'll get to see the mistakes.
And the little victories.
