SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JULY 5: Ricky Council IV #37 of the Philadelphia 76ers blocks a shot by Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz during the first half of their NBA Summer League game July 5, 2023 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Were Keyonte George’s Summer League outings for the Utah Jazz a “mirage”?
Did Keyonte George really show off what he’s capable of in Summer League play?
The Utah Jazz saw Keyonte George go off against teams in the Las Vegas Summer League. While he got injured in the third league game, George had put up some super impressive stats. He shot 52.5% from the floor while hitting 44.4% from three. He averaged 21.7 points, 6.3 assists, and 2.0 rebounds per game. For lack of a better term, he was awesome.
Yet, George didn’t play all that well in the Salt Lake City Summer League. In the Salt Lake Summer League, George only shot 37.8% from the floor and 29.4% from three. His per games were down as well, averaging just 15.7 points, 4.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds.
While he played three games in each league, it’s important to note that the leagues are different. The Salt Lake City Summer League is different than the Las Vegas Summer League, as only four teams play in the Salt Lake City version, while the Las Vegas version is for the entire NBA.
So while he struggled early, he did come on strong in the second league of the summer, still, his inconsistent play between the two has some wondering if George showed off his true potential.
Tim Crean of ClutchPoints is wary about George’s sustained success in the NBA, stating that he’s worried George’s performances were potentially a mirage of what he’d actually be like.
And he’s not wrong.
The problem with so much of this type of conversation, especially about rookies, is that no one ever truly knows anything about what to expect. There is no mindset, skillset, or athletic attributes that determines a player’s success. He could be the least athletic, goofiest looking, most poorly taught player in the world and become an MVP.
The same who can be described as the prototypical NBA player can come in and never make an impact in any way shape or form.
There is no crystal ball to this, no magic spell, no guidebook to developing and establishing players in this league. It’s random, and it’s unpredictable.
There’s a good chance this was George’s best set of games in his career. There’s an equally good chance that we’re just seeing a fraction of what George could be. We don’t know what George can be in the NBA, so it’s fair to be cautious about what he can provide.
Temper your expectations, and let his game tell us who he is, instead of anointing him.
