Rookie center Kyle Filipowski‘s play continues to be one of the brightest spots of the Jazz‘s season so far, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune writes. After claiming a starting role last week, Filipowski continues to pass test after test against some of the NBA’s best.
Filipowski’s getting tested defensively in his rookie season, but he’s rising to the challenge. He’s also improving defensively, recording three steals against the Kings on Saturday.
“I guess that’s how it is for rookies, especially rookies that stand up to that sort of thing,” Filipowski said. “I gotta pull my big boy pants on, you know, and not back down from that challenge.”
The No. 32 pick in this year’s draft is averaging 7.9 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 55.2% from the field. He’s recording 12.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists in his last five games (three starts).
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- Keyonte George was benched in the second half of the Jazz‘s Sunday game against Los Angeles, Larsen writes in a separate post. Coach Will Hardy was clear about his reasoning after the game. “I wasn’t happy with Keyonte’s defense in the first half. Keyonte knows how much I believe in him, but sometimes you have to make changes in the moment to reinforce your point.” George played with the second unit and ended up playing the final 19 minutes of the game. He didn’t seem to be phased by the change after the game, Larsen writes. “Urgency levels should be at an all-time high no matter what — but we’re all humans,” George said. “I don’t know if you have a boss, but if they say you should take a break, when you come back you’re going to be on your Ps and Qs.” He’ll need to continue to improve on his decision-making, Larsen opines.
- In George’s place, rookie guard Isaiah Collier started the second half. He saw career highs in minutes (26) and assists (8). Larsen writes in the same piece that he’s been the Jazz‘s only true point guard and while he’s only getting to his own shot by beating the opposition in fast break situations (he’s shooting 11.1% from three), he’s helping the offense by taking care of the ball. “We know who our scorers are, we know where the ball needs to go,” Collier said. “Doing those little things, it definitely helped us int he second half.” The No. 29 overall pick in 2024 is averaging 4.3 points and 2.7 assists this year.
- Thunder No. 26 overall pick Dillon Jones set career highs in points (12), minutes (15) and assists (3) on Sunday in a loss to Dallas. The Weber State product made all but one of his six shot attempts. Superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had nothing but praise for the first-round rookie, according to the Thunder’s Nick Gallo (Twitter link). “He’s getting his feet work, getting more comfortable… He’s doing a great job,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “He’s keeping his head. He’s getting better. That’s all you can ask for.“
- The Nuggets were close to trading up for Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic in the 2018 draft, former Denver Post writer Mike Singer said on Brian Windhorst’s Hoop Collective podcast (hat tip to RealGM). “The Nuggets knew that Vlade Divac was not particularly high on Luka Doncic,” Singer, now an employee of the Nuggets, said. “And they had designs on pairing Nikola Jokic with Luka Doncic. On draft night in 2018, they tried. There was a call placed. There was a proposal and the Nuggets attempted to get the No. 2 pick for Gary Harris and two first round picks was what I was told. You can roll your eyes at that price tag, but look in retrospect. The Kings ended up taking Marvin Bagley with the No. 2 pick. I’m not saying this trade was imminent. All I’m saying is this trade was discussed and considered because the Nuggets knew Vlade Divac was not particularly high on Luka Doncic and they tried to exploit it.”
- The Nuggets also previously tried to acquire Sasha Vezenkov in 2016, the former Kings forward said in a podcast, per a report from Eurohoops.net. “[Nikola] Jokic called me back in 2016, way before he became a three-time MVP,” Vezenkov said. “Back then, he wasn’t a superstar. He told me the Nuggets wanted me. They were signing European players. But I hesitated. I was an insecure 20-year-old. After playing in Europe, they lost interest. I don’t think about it a lot, but I often wonder what could have been.” Vezenkov made his NBA debut last year for Sacramento, but he was traded in the offseason and returned overseas.
- After a 45-point loss last week, the Trail Blazers restored good vibes by winning three in a row, Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report writes. Shaedon Sharpe has 65 points in his last two games, rookie Donovan Clingan is standing out and bench players like Dalano Banton have played well during the streak.
Sharpe has been on my watchlist as one of the guys I want/need to see more out of from him this year.
I think he can be the apart of the next core of winning Blazers teams. Good start to the season but need further development and consistency from him this year.
Not drafting Bagley would’ve been a win for them pretty much no matter who they took. Harris is at least a functional NBA player, that would be a win right there, but if they would’ve taken Michael Porter Jr. w. the pick Den took him w. they would’ve been better off.
Banton is a solid player. If the improvements to his 3pt shot are real, then it pulls together the rest of an already useful profile. Great length and instincts, aggressive with the ball, and can pass at a solidly high level for a wing. Add in a usable 3pt shot and you’re looking at a bigger, more physically capable Bruce Brown. Teams should be attempting to acquire him at the deadline if he’s available for a decent price.
Clingan was my favorite of this year’s draft, much as I focused a lot on the international guys. The defensive ceiling is Marcus Camby, potentially with solid offense in addition. Even has a jumper, though he doesn’t take many shots with it.
The questions would be, whose 1st round picks were they looking to trade to Sac. The value of those picks are necesary to determine whether it held any water or not.