Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — Taylor Hendricks had a hop in his step on Wednesday.
"I mean, the ball has energy, so when you're making shots, you feel less tired," the second-year Jazz forward said.
Hendricks had 18 points while shooting 60% from the field, including going 4-for-6 from 3-point range in Utah's 93-85 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in the Salt Lake City Summer League finale.
All four of his made 3-pointers came from the right corner as he continues to try — a good sign as he continues to try and prove he can be a 3-and-D specialist in the NBA.
"Taylor's been putting a lot of work into this, so to see him hit some shots was great," Jazz summer league coach Sean Sheldon said.
The made shots were a good sign — and so to was Hendricks being more aggressive in looking for scoring opportunities — but he'll earn a spot in Will Hardy's rotation with his defense.
As the Jazz began preparation for summer league, Sheldon pulled Hendricks aside and told him that he should be the elite defender of the summer.
That wasn't some pie-in-the-sky goal, either. Last year's No. 9 pick has all the physical traits you need from a defensive stopper. He has long arms, good lateral quickness, and he can spring off the court. It's about developing the necessary skills to fit those natural abilities.
"We're putting him in situations that he's not used to — guarding the main pick-and-roll handler, and he's got to get through," Sheldon said. "We've been working on that all spring, all summer. So really, really happy with his progress there."
Hendricks had three blocks on Wednesday (and just missed on a fourth when he was called for a goaltending call late in the game), and had good moments of on-ball defense on the perimeter.
There were also times when he failed to get back in transition, and kept his arms by his side as he defended through the paint. It wasn't perfect, but it was progress. That's what summer league is all about.
"(I'm working on) all aspects of defense — on-ball, chasing off screens, knowing the scouting report like in my head and knowing which way I want to force somebody; just all aspects of the game," Hendricks said.
And his summer league coach is happy with Hendricks' progress.
"I think he's shown really, really good strides defensively. So to continue that to where we can put him on the best offensive player every night," Sheldon said.
No rest in Vegas?
Keyonte George had 31 points on 9-of-15 shooting and added five assists in the win. In the second half, things looked particularly easy for the second-year guard. He didn't force the issue, running Utah's offense around Philly's zone and getting the Jazz good look after good look. Utah scored 59 points in the 20 minutes after halftime.
With two strong showings in Salt Lake, did George earn a rest in Vegas? Maybe not …
"I anticipate all of our guys playing every night," Sheldon said. "I don't envision us resting guys while we're in Vegas."
That said, it's common for teams to shut down NBA roster players after a couple of games in Vegas. So don't be surprised if (when?) George and Walker Kessler miss games in Sin City.
Kessler's assists
Walker Kessler entered the locker room after the game with a question: Did he have the most assists on the team?
"Unfortunately, he did not — Keyonte beat him by one," Sheldon said.
But second place isn't too bad for the 7-footer who is certainly not known for his passing. Kessler had four assists (all of which came in the first half) on Wednesday. The Jazz wanted the big man to use summer league to develop some playmaking abilities and appears to have taken that to heart.
"He's gotta get comfortable making those plays a little bit more, but I thought he was really good," Sheldon said. "He was looking to move the ball like I thought all of our guys were looking to move it tonight, which opens up everything."
