Player of the Week: Week 16

Written by Kyle Kirkham | 17 April 2012

*This post doesn’t include any stats or insights from the Mavs @ Jazz game.

Last week started with promise as the Jazz won a gimme vs the Spurs [JV Team] and picked up a HUGE road win in Houston. But it once again fell apart as they lost in New Orleans (For the SECOND time this season) and in Memphis as well. Two games were “easy”, and two games were “tough”, the Jazz won one of each. I would call last week a letdown, as our team is in the heat of a playoff push and couldn’t finish off two road games they should have won.

Devin Harris

Last Week’s Line: 13.5 points (39%), 6.5 assists (2.8 TO’s), 2 rebounds

Devin had mediocre week as he sandwiched two bad games between two good ones. While he did struggle with his shooting, he once again was able to lead the team in assists (5^th consecutive week). I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. When Devin plays good, so do the Jazz. We need good play from our starting PG if we want a shot at the playoffs.

*The Jazz are 17-4 when Devin Harris scores 12 or more points.

DeMarre Carroll

Last Week’s Line:  4 points (37%), 3.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals

Carroll didn’t have the best week either, but he sure did come up big in Houston. DeMarre hit double digits in scoring (10 points) for just the second time this season, had a season high in rebounds (7) and even pitched in 2 steals. While he doesn’t consistently have big games like this, Carroll has consistently brought the energy, effort, and hustle, often creating a spark off the bench. Is he the wing version of Ronnie Price?

*Carroll is shooting 37.5% from downtown since joining the Jazz.

Gordon Hayward

Last Week’s Line: 17.5 points (49%), 3.8 rebounds, 5 assists (2.5 TO’s), 1 steal

Fantastic basketball is becoming the norm for Hayward. Gordon’s play last week was easily good enough to put him in contention for this week’s award, marking the fourth straight week he’s done so. Hayward was second in both points and assists last week, and was really active just about everywhere. His growth this year has really been amazing. He took his increased minutes (+13.7) and more involved role and boosted all of his numbers, doubling some. Last week I mentioned he was a top three player on this team, but if he keeps this play up for the rest of the year you could argue he’s even better.

Paul Millsap

Last Week’s Line: 20.8 points (52%), 8 rebounds, 2 assists (1.8 TO’s), 2.8 steals

It was a great week for Millsap, who really has been battling the second half of the season. Sap led the team in points and steals, while finishing second in rebounding. He played good all week, grabbing no less than 7 boards and scoring no less than 17 points. And he did all this on a bad wrist, which he injured in Houston. It’s funny, after hearing about Paul’s injury, I didn’t want him to play his next game. He did anyway, and dropped 27 points. That’s pretty impressive, but yet I wasn’t surprised, because that’s just what Paul does.

*Millsap has only missed 13 games his entire career, playing in 97% of them.

Al Jefferson

Last Week’s Line: 16.5 points (52%), 7.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists (0 TO’s), 2 blocks

Not a terrible week for Al, but his productivity did slip a little. Jefferson didn’t finish the week leading the team in points or rebounds (3^rd in both), something he has done regularly this year. However he did finish tied for blocks (had some big ones in Houston) and finished the week with 0 turnovers, not a single one (I understand Jefferson's style of play leads to less turnovers, but playing 144 minutes without turning over once is still pretty damn impressive). Having only made the playoffs once (as a rookie) Jefferson wants to make the postseason more than anyone, and it will be fun to see what he does in attempt to get there.

Jamaal Tinsley

Last Week’s Line: 3.8 points (33%), 3.3 assists (2 TO’s), 1.3 rebounds, 1 steal

Tinsley wasn’t great last week as he permanently took over as Harris’ primary backup (Earl out with injury). Jamaal struggled to score which is isn’t out of the ordinary, but he also may have been forcing things as he had a much lower than usual Assists to Turnover ratio (1.7:1.0). While most would argue Tinsley is a better offensive player than Watson (he is), Watson easily the better defender. My point being, the team can’t afford Jamaal to be a liability on the offensive end because he already is one on the defensive end. I'm don't think he will, just making point. Our bench has been streaky bench all year long, and it’s key Tinsley runs it efficiently as the Jazz try to win their final few games.

Alec Burks

Last Week’s Line: 5.5 points (41%), 2.8 rebounds, 1 assist (1.8 TO’s) (14.5 minutes)

Burks was able to “kinda” bounce back from his prior week of bad play, but still only played “okay”. His minutes have gone back down, and he’s struggling to find a way to contribute when he’s on the floor. I don’t have any numbers to back it up, but it feels like Alec has relied on his jumper (which isn’t great) much more the last few weeks. This could be due to fatigue, or maybe his early success. Either way I’m not a huge fan of it, and hope it starts to fall or he stops taking it. While Burks may be at his “rookie wall” I have seen one recent improvement in his game the past few weeks, his rebounding. Burks averaged just under 3 rebounds for the week (that’s 7 per 36) and had a career high of 7 (4 offensive) vs the Hornets. This was a skill he was said to have coming out of last year’s draft, and it would be great if it translated over to his NBA game.

Derrick Favors

Last Week’s Line: 9.8 points (54%), 10.5 rebounds, 1 assists (2.3 TO’s), 2 blocks (29.8 minutes)

Awesome week for Favors, who was one made shot away from averaging a double-double. Derrick has seen his minutes go up recently (thanks to Corbin’s new lineup with Paul at the 3) and he has definitely made the most of them. Favors led the team in rebounding, FG%, and finished tied for blocks, and yes he’s doing it in under 30 minutes a game. This is the type of Favors we envisioned all last off-season, and I can’t help but be giddy now that he is showing up on a weekly basis.

Enes Kanter

Last Week’s Line: 2.5 points (67%), 3.7 rebounds (11.8 minutes)

Kanter is still getting limited minutes, but he is starting to use them better. Kanter’s rebounding is back to norm, as his 3.7 translate out 11.3 per 36. While he technically led the team in FG%, he only took 6 total shots, that’s just over 1 attempt a game.  I’m not going to remind you that Kanter is just 19 years old (oops, just did), but we really do need to be patient with the rookie. He’s not going to get huge minutes anytime soon, I don’t think many bigs would get huge minutes with the players like Favors, Millsap, and Jefferson ahead of them. Right now he just needs to continue to learn the do’s and the don’ts, while still trying to make a positive impact on the game.

Players who didn’t play (very much): Jeremy Evans (18 minutes), Blake Ahearn (5 minutes), CJ Miles (Injured), Josh Howard (Injured), Raja Bell (Injured)

Another average week and another tough decision.

Player of the Week: Week 16


Millsap oozes with ethusiasm after winning this week's award
(Photo via Tom Smart, Deseret News) 

Paul Millsap:  20.8 points (52%), 8 rebounds, 2 assists (1.8 TO’s), 2.8 steals

Runner up: Gordon Hayward

Special Mention: Derrick Favors

Thanks to @sproul13 for weekly stats