Trey Burke isn't starting. His scoring and assist averages are both down from a season ago. But when Jazz coach Quin Snyder is asked to name the player who has made the biggest jump from last year to this, Burke's is the first off his tongue.
"I feel good for him because he is really invested and he has been rewarded for that investment," Snyder said.
Coming off the bench, Burke is averaging 12.4 points and 2.7 assists in 24 minutes a night.
But Burke's field goal percentage is up. He's hitting better than 43 percent of his attempts after knocking down 36.8 percent last year.
"I'm getting more comfortable out there picking and choosing my spots," Burke said. "… I have a higher understanding of the game."
His defense and demeanor, meanwhile, have earned the most praise from his coach.
"He's been selfless too," Snyder said. "Obviously he is coming off the bench. There were times that he didn't finish games. [But] his focus has been 'I am going to defend harder. I am going to do this better. I am going to finish better. I am going to turn my eyes out and find people on the pick-and-roll.' I think he has become a better player because of it."
Handshake in history
Jazz guard Rodney Hood said a chance to play on Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be a special one.
"My grandparents and their parents actually met Dr. King," said Hood, whose family is from Mississippi. "It was just a handshake. But the reason I was able to go to school and have the things I have in life is because of the things he sacrificed and the influence he had on the South. Me being from the South, it means a lot. … Through generations, it really did a lot for me and my family."
All clear
Forward Trevor Booker has been cleared to play Monday against the Charlotte Hornets, after completing the steps in the NBA's concussion protocol.
Booker suffered the injury in the third quarter of Thursday's game against Sacramento, when Kings center DeMarcus Cousins accidentally hit him in the face on a dunk attempt after a play had been stopped. A dazed Booker had to be helped to the locker room.
Back in action?
After missing 13 straight games due to a back injury it remains unclear when exactly forward Derrick Favors will be back in the starting lineup. But Favors did travel with the team to Charlotte to start a four-game road trip. He is listed as questionable to play.
"Fav's making progress," Snyder said. "But like I said it's such a temperamental thing but I think he's focused on the rehab component and hopefully we'll see him sooner than later."
afalk@sltrib.com
Twitter: @tribjazz
Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) uses a Utah Jazz center Tibor Pleiss (21) screen to lose his man, in NBA action Utah Jazz vs. The Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City, Saturday, January 2, 2016.
Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) leads a fast break after stealing the ball from Houston Rockets guard Jason Terry (31), in NBA action, The Utah Jazz vs. The Houston Rockets, in Salt Lake City, Monday, January 4, 2016.
Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) takes a shot as Houston Rockets forward Clint Capela (15) defends, in NBA action, The Utah Jazz vs. The Houston Rockets, in Salt Lake City, Monday, January 4, 2016.
Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Utah Jazz guard Trey Burke (3) is guarded by Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) and Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo (9) during the game at Vivint Smart Home Arena Thursday January 14, 2016.
Lennie Mahler | The Salt Lake Tribune Trey Burke tries to save the ball as he slips during a game between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016.
