Jazz Social Media Video Foreshadows Starting Lineup
The buzz on the social media front continues to be about which players will be starting in the backcourt for the Utah Jazz on opening night. On Thursday, Utah released a video on ‘X’ that may have given fans some insight into what could lie ahead.
In a 38-second clip, Utah’s social media team posted a glimpse of a scrimmage where Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, John Collins, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Collin Sexton played on the same team. This could be smoke and mirrors, but it also may be some clues of how the starting lineup could shake out to start the season.
If there’s any truth to this, the biggest surprise would be Jordan Clarkson reverting back to coming off the bench. The former Sixth Man of the Year has a skill set that’s been successful as a reserve, and it’s certainly not out of the realm of possibility.
Also, leaving both Ochai Agbaji and Kris Dunn out of the starting lineup would leave Utah vulnerable on the defensive side of the ball. Last year, Utah’s starting backcourt of Clarkson and Mike Conley put up little resistance defensively, and a combo of Sexton and Horton-Tucker wouldn’t be ideal going up against the best wings in the league.
However, Horton-Tucker's high ceiling can’t be ignored. Utah may be willing to go through a season of growing pains with a player boasting a wingspan of 7-foot-1 inches while being arguably the most athletic player on the team.
Sexton also has room to grow, being only 24 years old. The former lottery pick is a proven scorer, averaging over 20 points per game twice in his short five-year career. Beginning the year as a starter is certainly in the cards.
But most likely, this is much ado about nothing. In another video, rookie Keyonte George was also seen mixing it up with the first team, too. Jazz head coach Will Hardy may be just getting a feel for which combinations will work best moving forward. Only time will tell.
Jazz fans will get more answers on Sunday when Utah faces the Los Angeles Clippers in their first preseason game.
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