The Utah Jazz are a trendy pick this season to sneak into the playoffs in the Western Conference which shows just how much they have improved as the West is expected to be a gauntlet once again this season. The Jazz have more talent now than they have in a while and with all of that talent comes competition. It seems as though four of the five starter spots are virtually set in stone as the season is set to begin soon but the one spot that is open is the second wing alongside Gordon Hayward. The competition between Rodney Hood and Alec Burks should be a good one for that fifth starting spot.
Burks was the starter at the beginning of last season until he tore his labrum just 27 games into the season. Before he got hurt Burks was playing the best basketball of his career as he was averaging 13.9 points per game and shooting a career high 38 percent from three. Burks is the most athletic wing the Jazz have on their roster so that may play into the decision but there is also the thought that a starter should never lose his spot to injury which could make him the favorite for the spot.
Hood took over as the starter at the end of last season and really impressed in the final months of the season as he even earned Rookie of the Month in April. Hood has tremendous size for a shooting guard at 6 foot-8 and his scoring ability for a 22 year old is impressive. In 50 games as a rookie Hood averaged 8.7 points per game while shooting 37 percent from three.
This competition is a tough one to handicap at this point but it might not matter too much as both players are expected to get big minutes, according to Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune. Both guys really want the starting job but based on their performances a year ago it is tough to choose between the two as they both played really well when they were on the court.
Head coach Quin Snyder has said that the starter will be determined based on who fits in with the other starters best and that he will probably play Burks and Hood together at times, according to Aaron Falk of The Salt Lake Tribune. Because Burks and Hood might play together it could mean that Hood might see time at the power forward spot when the Jazz decide to go small. Hood certainly has the size to play some power forward and having him at the four would give Utah an extremely dangerous offensive lineup.
This will definitely be an interesting battle to watch in the preseason as both players likely warrant being the starter but no matter who wins the starting job, expect big years from both Hood and Burks in 2015-16.
