Keyonte George Must Be a Full-Time Starter for the Jazz Moving Forward

After falling into a four-game losing skid, the Utah Jazz picked things back up on Friday night as they took down the Memphis Grizzlies in their first In-Season Tournament game in franchise history. It was a breath of fresh air for Jazz fans as there was a lot more to appreciate from this showing than there was in the first few contests of the season.

We saw some great things from the likes of All-Star Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, and John Collins, but one of the most important factors of Friday’s game came down to the rookie Keyonte George. Tasked with being the starting point guard of this team for the second straight time, there were some high hopes for what the Baylor product could deliver.

While it wasn’t his most prestigious night shooting the ball, clocking it at 2/12 from the field, he did generate a team-high 11 assists on only two turnovers. That elite playmaking sense and ability to get the ball in the hands of this team’s most effective offensive threats is exactly what this team has been coveting. The fact that we’re seeing it this early is extremely encouraging.

Through two games, George has totaled 20 assists on only three turnovers. It’s a perfect display of why he’s deserving of his newfound starting role, and exactly why this team needs to keep him slotted into the first five for the rest of the season.

The process may come with some growing pains, notably with his consistency and defensive impact, but that’s to be expected with a 19-year-old player in his first year. He has the tools to enhance his shot efficiency and two-way ability, but the process of getting there will take patience.

To push that development further along comes with getting time and experience on the court. The urgency falls on Will Hardy and the coaching staff to continually provide him with these opportunities as the season progresses.

Especially when considering the overall state of the roster, prioritizing this youth movement should be at the forefront of this team’s focus. Of course, the Jazz could find themselves as a scrappy Play-In candidate come April, but it all comes down to the bigger picture. Even if it may come with a few early mistakes, the more Keyonte gets involved, the better off this team is in the long term.

It remains to be seen how this rotation will shift once Walker Kessler returns to the lineup, but the Jazz must ensure George must keep his role steady as the season progresses. So long as he keeps moving the ball as effectively as he has been and continues to develop further as a dependable scorer, the sky is the limit for what the Jazz may have in their new guard.

Keynote and the Jazz will hit the floor once again on Tuesday night as they will compete in their second In-Season Tournament game of the year vs. the Phoenix Suns.

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