OK, we told you we wouldn’t come back with this segment until the All-Star break when Burke participates in the Rising Stars Challenge, but let us off the hook, this is important.
Today’s news is another major development for Burke, and it has prompted us to spring back into action with a return for the 2013 NBA Draft season-long, second-guess fest.
TREY BURKE: Wednesday, Burke was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for January, the second straight month the Jazz’ point guard has taken home the award.
Burke averaged 12 points, seven assists, and three rebounds per game in January, anchored by a stretch in which he got to double-figures in scoring six of the first seven games of the month.
Perhaps spurred by the fact that Burke shot just 35 percent last month and Utah has lost three in a row, Jazz head coach Tyrone Corbin says the Michigan alum has hit the “rookie wall”. Even if that’s true, Burke has now won the Western Conference honor the only two months he has been healthy this year.
SHABAZZ MUHAMMAD: Muhammad logged 11 minutes in January, therefore did not win Western Conference Rookie of the Month.
RICKY RUBIO: We don’t think any awards are in Rubio’s future, especially if he keeps shooting how he has in February for Minnesota.
After showing some improvement shooting the ball in January, a season-best 38 percent on the month, he’s hit on just two of his seven shots in two February games. That not only shows inaccuracy, but also a hesitancy to shoot, which shows a lack of confidence, something you can’t have from a former top-5 pick.
SUMMARY: Burke adds to the hardware, Shabazz still feels something hard beneath him, that being the bench, and Ricky doesn’t want to score.
OK, we’ll leave you alone until the All-Star break, this time we promise.
