Utah Jazz: Rookies agree that team's future is 'so bright'

"It was great. That was my first experience NBA game. I had so much fun," Kanter said. "I just tried to do my best. I still need to work on stuff. My teammates just helped me a lot."

Though he feels fit and strong, Kanter said he needs to get in even better shape. His shot needs tweaking. His post moves need to be improved.

A pep talk from the coaching staff and his fellow countryman, Okur, helped ease pregame jitters that were quite evident in the rookie at Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage.

"I was really nervous," he said. "They said calm down and just go out there and do your things. Then I just tried to do my best."

The speed of the game took Burks by surprise. The shooting guard didn't get help from the referees he was accustomed to when attacking the basket in his two seasons at Colorado.

"It felt like we was fighting, (like) we weren't even out there playing basketball," he said. "I wasn't really used to that. I got adjusted to it. Now I'm ready for the next one."

Corbin laughed when told Burks thought he didn't get calls.

"He's going to have a lot of wake-up calls this year," Corbin said. "The guys are so much more athletic, so much quicker, so much smarter in how to play because they have the experience."

For Burks, one of the highlights of his first NBA action was the opponent.

"It was crazy going against Jamal Crawford — that was my favorite player growing up," Burks said of the new Portland guard. "When you go up against your idol, it's a crazy feeling. It was an experience. I recommend everybody experiencing that, going against your idol."

And he's looking forward to experiencing future success with the Jazz's new crew.

"You can see the future out there, me, D-Fav, Gordon, Jeremy (Evans), Enes, everybody out there," he said. As if sharing the same mind wave with Kanter, he then added his hopeful message: "The future's bright for us."

Depending on what happens, Corbin isn't ruling out some variation of Burks' future vision happening sooner rather than later.

"The guys who deserve the minutes," he said, "will get the minutes on the floor."

Jazz on the air

NBA preseason

Portland (1-0) at Utah (0-1)

Tonight, 7 p.m.

EnergySolutions Arena

TV: Root Radio: 1320 AM, 98.7 FM

Email: jody@desnews.com

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