Jazz Starting Five Revealed Ahead of Preseason Opener
The Utah Jazz starting five for the preseason opener has turned some heads. In somewhat of a surprise, head coach Will Hardy is going with Walker Kessler, John Collins, Lauri Markkanen, Colin Sexton, and Talen Horton Tucker.
The decision that may have surprised fans was shooting guard Jordan Clarkson starting the game on the bench. Clarkson has spent most of his career in a reserve role and is only two years removed from winning the Sixth Man of the Year. Considering how deep the Jazz are in the backcourt, it was always in the cards that Clarkson could start the year as a backup.
Clarkson has always been an elite shot-creator and excels at keeping the ball going through the hoop while the starters are resting. What may have kept Clarkson out of the starting lineup is being a below-average defender and, at times, can disrupt the flow of the offense due to over-dribbling.
Whether Clarkson coming off the bench is a permanent fixture remains to be seen, but the decision would give Utah a top-five sixth man in the league moving forward.
Horton-Tucker getting the first start of the season also raised some eyebrows. Although, ‘THT’ turned some heads last season after the trade that saw Mike Conley shipped to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
It was a mixed bag for Horton-Tucker last season. In the month of April, he averaged 18.1 ppg and showed flashes of a player that deserved starter minutes. However, efficiency issues are still a concern for the fifth-year pro. Horton Tucker shot 28.6% from long distance last year and is 28% for his career.
That said, Horton-Tucker may have the highest ceiling on the roster, thanks to a 7-foot-1 wingspan and elite athleticism. The Jazz have one year to tap into Horton-Tucker's potential before he’s an unrestricted free agent in 2024.
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