'A different level of confidence': Keyonte George feels ready to take a leap

SALT LAKE CITY — Every week or so during the offseason, Keyonte George received an unsolicited text message from his head coach.

“Get fit,” Will Hardy’s message said.

It didn't matter that Hardy had seen George almost every day at the Utah Jazz facility making plays and drills or just running straight, he still sent him the little reminder.

George was thrown into the fire as a rookie. After just eight games, he was named the team's starting point guard – not to mention he had never played the position before. In a February game against Golden State, he played every minute of the second half – and managed to outplay Stephen Curry.

For George, these moments – and many others – served as a training ground for what was to come in year two. Hardy's weekly nudges? They were simply a reminder to his young point guard to prepare.

“My whole thing for the summer was to step up for the older guys,” George said. “I don’t want to go through what we went through last year.”

George has established himself as an important part of the future of the Utah Jazz. He can score a ton (he set the all-time NBA record for 3-pointers scored in a game by a rookie with nine) and his playmaking ability stood out when asked to lead a lineup of veterans.

But is George's role on a winning team? Is he a franchise point guard? A solid rotation piece? A bench scorer?

His second year could help clear that up.

Recently, during a preseason game, George let his tongue hang out as he looked into the crowd in celebration. He had just deceived Domantas Sabonis with a hesitant dribble and then a misplaced pass before putting the ball over the Sacramento Kings big man.

The game had slowed down for the young guard. He changed tempo to take out the defense, and then he manipulated Sabonis by pretending to hit Walker Kessler as he rolled to the rim.

Everything he had focused on over the summer came together in one highlight piece.

“He just learns quickly; you can see his pace is different,” Jordan Clarkson said. “He finds the opportunities to make shots, be aggressive and make plays for his teammates. The biggest thing for him is also getting us on the offensive. I think it will work quickly for him.”

George, who turns 21 in November and is entering his second year, has a completely different level of confidence.

Last season was full of first moments; they came with the usual nerves.

There were times last season when he found himself scrolling through social media. He saw everything good and bad about a game or play, and every little moment suddenly became bigger. In some cases it served as fuel during a long season; in others, it promoted an unattainable goal of perfection.

“This year I’m just going to go out and play ball,” he said. “I don’t worry about what’s being said or what people think; I just go out and play – bad game or not. I think I’ll just walk out with a clear head.”

That was a well-deserved confidence. He spent an entire NBA season with players he looked up to as a child. At every step he proved that he belonged.

“He brings a different level of confidence. I think there's confidence in his game, there's confidence in the credibility he's built with his teammates in the organization, there's confidence in the relationship with me and the staff,” Hardy said. “You just notice that the way we communicate with each other feels different than it did last year.”

He is stronger and has a better foundation for his jump shot, which the Jazz hope will increase his efficiency; and he has gained a greater understanding of the game. George spent the offseason analyzing film — both his own and that of other guards around the league — to figure out how to attack defenses.

That, he said, helped him read the game at a higher level. He knows what a defense is trying to do and therefore has a better idea of ​​how to manipulate it.

“Maybe we put Lauri (Markkanen) in the right corner if I go left. Now I can see it a lot easier,” George said. “Or maybe it’s because Lauri has a strong side and now I’m coming to my right hand and reading off the back, or maybe I’m coming to my floater.”

That attitude is partly why the Jazz are optimistic about his future as a lead guard in the NBA. Yes, he is a natural goalscorer, but he has taken on greater responsibility in the team. His rookie year was the training ground; Now he feels ready to take a leap.

“If I make the jump, we’ll be in top shape,” he said. “It will put us in a position to win.”