Ya'll wanna hear something cool? I sent an email on Wednesday 21 to my Dad. We always like to throw out who we would draft and what we would like to see happen right before the draft and then compare notes after. This is my quote from the email:
"My favorite reasonable pick up...
Donavan Mitchell (PIPE DREAM - requires a trade. It worked for the Spurs w/ Kawhi)."
This is the guy I wanted based on defense, length, athleticism, and attitude. I think that he brings something unique to the Jazz that we don't have... a potential point guard or shooting guard stopper in a league dominated by point guards and shooting guards. In an era of so called 'positionless basketball', 'D' Mitchell has the athleticism, length, and focus to shut down opposing team's best playmakers and scorers. He is more than capable on the other side of the court. The combo means that we have a player that can potentially frustrate Klay Thompson, stick with Chris Paul, and force Westbrook into taking 53 shots to get 46 points. It isn't going to happen in year 1. But I think he is going to compare similarly to Marcus Smart on defense... just with a WAY better attitude. He believes in the Jazz and will make a bigger difference than anyone we could have drafted at 24, 28, 30, 42, or 55.
The fact that we gave up Trey in the process just made me giggle for days. Actually that giggling will probably last for years a la Gobert pickup.