Meet
The upcoming draft
Posted by: Michael King on March 21st, 2011
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.With the first 2 rounds of March Madness over, we’re starting to see who the real stars for this years draft class are. I’m a huge BYU fan, and as such I love watching Jimmer Fredette pull off 30+ point nights every game. While I would enjoy seeing Jimmer in a Jazz uni, there are a number of players who could really help out our team, and give us the lift we so desperately need. I like Harris, and believe that in time, as did Big Al, will become that all-star he once was. Derrick Favors looks very promising, and for a change can actually play D. This is a solid team currently that just simply needs to learn how to work together. Personally, I think our most glaring weaknesses are 3-point shooting and the ability to play team defense. With the picks we have in the draft this year, we should be able to fill those voids. The only other thing I wouldn’t mind adding to the team is an extra PG with the ability to both score and pass. I just hope our GM and O’Connor make the correct picks this year.
Here’s a list of several players I think would fit well in our system, and would help fill in the voids:
Jordan Hamilton 6′7″ 215 lbs. Texas SF: Good defender, and excellent help-side D along with a great offensive skill set. Can beat the opponent off the dribble, post up, or hit the outside shot(38% from 3).
Harrison Barnes 6′8″ 210 lbs. UNC SF: May lack size for someone of his stature, but has the ability to bulk up without sacrificing anything. Solid defender, shooter, and can get to the line where he shoots 75%. Currently a project, but could have a great NBA career.
Jimmer Fredette 6′2″ 195 lbs. BYU PG: Has a big body for a PG, only 1″ shorter and 10 lbs lighter than Deron. No one can dispute the kids an excellent shooter, and would give the Jazz a much needed 3-point shooter. Very calm demeanor, humble, and has a great work ethic. With some coaching, can become a much better defender. Solid passer(7 assists vs. Wofford, 6 assists vs. Gonzaga, 4.3 assists for the season). Would be an excellent asset in tight games shooting near 90% from the line. Some dispute his ability to use the 15 ft curl shot much like Harpring or Bell, yet I’ve watched him hit curl shots from all over the floor all season long. He moves very well without the ball and has shown willingness to cut to the hoop for the easy layup. Regardless of what people say against him, I believe he’d flourish in Utah’s system.
Tyler Honeycutt 6′8″ 188 lbs. UCLA SF/PF: A big with a decent outside shot(36% from 3), and great defense. Over the course of the season, he averaved 1 steal and better than 2 blocks per game, while only committing 1.5 fouls. His ability to stay on the court and block shots is something few bigs have. Great basketball IQ, and a willing passer(nearly 3 assists per game). Great rebounder who fights for the boards on both ends of the floor.
Terrance Jones 6′8″ 244 lbs. Kentucky SF/PF: Great ball handling for a guy his size. Show the ability to break defenders down off the dribble. Good post up player, and finishes well around the rim. Good defender, with 1 steal and 2 blocks per game. His shot is very unorthodox, but he has a good touch to get his shots to fall. With some coaching from Jeff Hornaceck, he could develop into a good shooter.
There are a couple of international bigs that are in this years draft, though I don’t know much about them. Feel free to add to this list, or tell me why you wouldn’t take these guys on draft night.
Replies: 6
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6 Responses
Nice choices. Since the ping pong balls have not dropped you cannot forget a few others. Who knows where we really land until its all said and done.
Kyrie Irving 6′2″ 180 lb G. Duke Blue Devils Projected to draft within the top 3 in the draft this season. Though he is a long shot, he shoots .457 from 3 point land, and could you imagine trading Deron for this young kid, Harris, and Favors. Oh, my would people stop their whining..
Derrick Williams 6′8″ 242 lbs F Arizona Wildcats. This kid can play either forward position, shoots an amazing .581 from 3 point land and another kid projected to draft out of the top 3. Another kid you would give you the good shivers to have in place of another Williams..
Kemba Walker 6′1″ 172 lb G. Conneticut Huskies This kid lights up all the stats and again, may make you go wow. Though we dont necesarily need another PG, this kid is pretty amazing posting 23.6 points, 4.5 assists, .340 from 3 point land, 5.4 rebounds and 1.9 steals.
Kawhi Leonard 6′7″ 225 lbs F. Sand Diego State Aztecs I dont know if you have seen this kid, but he plays hard on both ends of the court. He is said to have a defensive game that like Honeycutts, will move up the the NBA lvl.
Brandon Knight 6′3″ 185 PG/SG. UK Kentucky Wildcats Another kid putting up nice numbers from all over the court. He is putting up better than Jimmers Sophmore numbers as a freshman, plays defense, and fills up a stat sheet…
This is ten players that are projected to go in the draft. There are other players like Perry Jones, Enes Kanter, Jarred Sullinger, Jonas Valanciunas, Jan Vesely etc, who are in there too, but we are stacked in their positions and they would not help us much.. I am guessing that we will be around 6 and 12 before the bounce of the balls.. Since we listed 10 players who can help us, that pretty good odds, to have some help and depth to our team next season and the ones to follow. With some of the solid players we have, I am very excited about our future. Who would you pick?
Williams and Irving are no brainers, if you could get either one it would be great. Barnes, Terrence Jones, and Honeycutt, would be nice additions too. Burks, Leonard, Knight, Fredette? sheesh, that is 10 in this paragraph, that would be helpful, and we will be picking in the top 14. Whats not to be excited about..
Ooops,
Alec Burks 6-6 195 lb G. Been posting up 20.4 points a game this season, .303 from 2 point land, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. Wish his 3 point shots or assists were up a bit, but you cannot say he wouldnt help…
@Patrick: Bingo!!
All you Jimmer haters should be very happy with this prediction.
He will not be available when Utah get it’s pick. He will go higher than you all think.
@Nate, thanks for the laugh man.. Sheesh. I dont think anyone hates Jimmers, I think they all believe that there may be other choices that will suite us better. There is a big difference. The kid can shoot, but there are better players. I have a hard time seeing him drafted before Knight. Knight doesnt have Jimmers numbers, but he is 3 yrs less experienced and within 4 picks in most of the mock drafts. Since Knight plays defense, and is younger, why would you go witht he older Fredette. Not a hater man, just realistic.. Knight may actually be the better player..
Fredette is a senior. Which means he knows the game of basketball. Seniors have better careers (Wesley Matthews) all together most of the time.
Yes I am a Jimmer fan, but I’m a Jazz fan first.
Defence isnt going to kill Jimmer in the NBA. Ty and Scott will/are going to emphasize defence. Ty said that himself.
I’d use him for #10-12 pick. First one I like Derrick Williams or… Terrence Jones.