Darryn Peterson took over the media world two days ago in the Utes’ own Huntsman Center. A 28-point debut? Theoretically implausible. But what about Peterson’s eight turnovers? Maybe he isn’t a winning player. Maybe he is just as selfish as everyone said he was.
That would’ve been my conclusion if I hadn’t watched Peterson completely take over the floor against the #3 pick in a duel with the Grizzlies. Stat-sheet analysts warned us not to pass up on the family reunion by returning Cam Boozer to his father in Salt Lake. But the Jazz let that opportunity pass in hopes of a much larger ceiling with Darryn Peterson.
Turns out the ‘that boy nice’ Fanclub had the advantage over the Stat Sheet Fanclub. Utah won its second consecutive game in Utah in a 109-100 finish. Jazz subtly had the edge over Memphis all night. They just looked like they were on a completely different level from these young cubs.
We found out earlier today that Ace Bailey wouldn’t be participating in this one; the team hasn’t ruled him out for Las Vegas, but they’re being extra cautious moving forward.
In what many were anticipating, rather than a measly World Cup match for the US, this Salt Lake City Summer League game lived up to the hype. You couldn’t write a better opening: Peterson took the first shot and nailed the turnaround jumper. Boozer answered with a pull-up triple on the other side. AJ Dybantsa utters a profanity on the other side of the country, as Washington gets no early Summer League hoops.
Peterson’s media takeover took away some love from some of the other young Jazzlings. Blake Hinson is much more fun to watch when he isn’t costing your team a lottery ball. After losing over 25 pounds, he looked like he had a higher motor and shot the lights out of the building.
The non-rostered guys left a huge impression in their second game. 6-7, near 260 pounds, Eric Dixon is more agile than he looks. He netted 11 points and 6 rebounds in 16 minutes, which included 2 triples on the box score. Like Luka to Hayes, Utah native Jaxon Kohler was absolutely feeding off dimes from Peterson. He scored 6 of his 8 points in three consecutive possessions. Justin Harmon plays with a motor that is difficult to match, diving for loose balls and showing the energy on defense every coach wants to see.
Alright, settle down, everyone. Let’s discuss Darryn Peterson. He crowned himself in front of Boozer, we can only officially crown Peterson as the top rookie over Dybantsa once they finish their duel Thursday night in Las Vegas. DP hit the 20-point mark once again in the third quarter, finishing with 25. The real story, however, was the all-around game he displayed. He totalled 12 assists in 27 minutes; a polar opposite of what he displayed against the Hawks.
He once mentioned back at the combine that he wanted to show more of his point guard abilities at the NBA level. The impression he left tonight is going to make him so much more valuable as a secondary playmaker next to Keyonte. We saw how well that worked for the Knicks at the NBA Finals.
Jazz fans have to be giggling and kicking their feet like a teenage girl, because Peterson already looks like a five-year veteran in his limited sample size. He IS the closer, he can get HIS shot, and he WILL be the future. We deserve not to be suffering for once.
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