"When was the last time Alec Burks went three consecutive games sitting on the bench and was forced to helplessly watch from the sideline?

High school, he said. Freshman season, to be exact. Burks was just getting his basketball career started at Grandview (Mo.). He was on the varsity team with his brother. And the younger Burks was glued to the pine.

Ever since then, Burks' talent has elevated him to the hardwood.

But after earning three consecutive did-not-plays heading into Friday's game against Oklahoma City, the 20-year-old Jazz guard said he's as upbeat and focused as ever. His only thought: Be ready.

"You've got so many great veterans on this team; I'm learning something everyday from them," said Burks, who's averaging 5.6 points and 1.6 rebounds during his rookie season, while shooting 40.4 percent from the field.

Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin was glad to hear Burks' optimism hasn't waned. And he put the rookie's inability to recently crack the rotation on his own shoulders.

"It's more me than him," Corbin said. "He deserves to get quality minutes on the floor. … He's an extremely talented young guy. And he can help us now, but he's going to help us in the long run, also.""