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SALT LAKE CITY — Big scoring nights are starting to become an old hat for Keyonte George.
With his 25-point night in Utah's win over the Atlanta Hawks, George has now scored 25 or more points in his last four full games. Friday's, though, was a bit different.
"I've probably talked too much about his 3-ball because it's been a real emphasis for him, but I think tonight we saw a lot of dynamic drives," Jazz coach Will Hardy said.
There's a reason he's talked a lot about it. George came into Friday's game shooting 47% from 3-point range (on nearly eight attempts per game, no less) over his last 10 games. That type of shooting bends defenses and forces opponents to respect that initial offensive action. And it's been the catalyst to George's success as Utah's defacto No. 1 option over the last few games.
Every time George scored over 25 points before Friday's game, he had hit at least five triples; against Atlanta, he made just one. For Hardy, that offered more reasons to be excited about what George can become.
"Tonight is just a glimpse into what Keyonte's future can be," Hardy said. "I think finding different ways each night to impact the game and not being so reliant on one thing is what gives Keyonte the opportunity to become a real star in this league."
A real star.
That is praise that we haven't heard from Hardy about his rookie guard. There's no doubt that Friday's game did offer glimpses of a pretty dynamic player.
In the first half, George attacked slow out of a pick-and-roll and waited for Atlanta's Vit Krejci to get on his back. When he felt the contact, he put up the floater (which went in) for the and-one opportunity. George then opened the second half with a hesitation right-to-left euro step that froze Dejounte Murray. Then, he closed the game with two drives where he lulled defenders to sleep with a slow dribble before accelerating to the rim.
It was an impressive showing of using different speeds to attack.
"Just been putting in the work, especially with my left hand, getting high off the glass," George said. "Beginning of the season, I was getting stripped and guys were meeting the ball on the glass. And now I'm starting to figure out the pace on pick-and-rolls, finishing higher off the glass — going left and right."
That was all on display Friday — a feat made more impressive due to the burden that was on George. With Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson both out, much of the scoring burden fell on his shoulders.
"There's a lot of pressure when you're the No. 1 guy," Hardy said. "You're driving to the gym and you're thinking, 'If I don't play well, we won't win.' Role players don't always necessarily have that burden in their brains before a game. These opportunities for Keyonte to be the 'No. 1 guy' for us are imperative for his development."
Development that has taken center stage for the remainder of the Jazz's season. Utah isn't shying away from that, either. George and Hardy have had very future-focused conversations about where the young guard needs to improve to get better for eventual high-level moments and playoff chances.
"Me and him are both thinking way, way beyond," George said, "But continuing to also take it day-by-day, continuing to work, continuing to trust my work, continue to trust the staff and what they have as far as my player development. Right now, I feel good about where my game's going."
He's clearly not the only one feeling that way.
