Keyonte George Learning To Lead Utah Jazz In Second Season

Oct 24, 2024, 11:50 AM

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 23: Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz dribbles the ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on OCTOBER 23, 2024 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)

(Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)

BY BRIAN PREECE

Digital Sports Producer

SALT LAKE CITY—It’s one game out of 82, so we’re not exactly pushing the panic button, but Keyonte George still has plenty of room for improvement if he is going to be the long-term point guard solution for the Utah Jazz.

Poor shooting nights happen to the game’s greats, so it’s not unexpected to see the streaky scorer struggle under the extra bright lights of opening night. What can’t happen is wild drives to the basket, leaving George relying on the officials to bail him out.

“Just got to be better,” George told SI.com’s Jared Koch postgame. “Go back to the drawing board tomorrow. That’s when you find out who you are in times like this… Not the outcome we wanted, but at the end of the day, it’s okay to be mad about stuff like this. Like I said, you find out the character you have as a person in times like this.”

RELATED: Kessler Impresses, But Jazz Downed By Grizzlies

that bucket makes 🇫🇮23🇫🇮 for #23 #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/p0EjRwSk2h

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 24, 2024

Somewhere during his o-for-9 start from the field, the soon-to-be 21-year-old went from missing good looks in the lane to putting his head down and showing a ‘get to the basket by any means necessary mentality.’ This too often resulted in out-of-control drives that ended with a bad miss, and George sprawled out on the baseline, looking to the officials for a call. Despite earning nine free throws, George probably tried to do a little bit too much when his shot wasn’t falling. Chalk it up to a learning experience.

Positive Signs From Keyonte George

The former Baylor Bear still managed to show off his playmaking ability with some nifty passing. The second-year guard ended the night with seven assists against one turnover, showing a short memory on a dreadful shooting night.

Listed at 6’4 and 185 pounds, George has the measurables and is bursting with the athleticism, quickness, and creativity necessary to be successful in the league for years to come.

confidence is 🔑 𝗞𝗘𝗬 🔑#TakeNote | @keyonte1george pic.twitter.com/DRY5HlsQoE

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 24, 2024

After averaging 13 points and 4.4 assists in 75 games last season as a rookie, the Lewisville, Texas, already showed he belongs in the league. With six players on the roster who are 23 or younger and seven with two years or less of NBA experience, can George take the next step and show that he is part of the first Utah Jazz championship core?

As the point guard, George is the head of the snake for everything head coach Will Hardy wants to do on both ends of the floor. No matter how he plays individually, part of George’s growth will be harnessing his frustration and putting on a confident face for his teammates.

Two steps forward, one step back. 81 games to go.