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Jazz will draft Chris Singleton at #12 if he is available

I agree with some earlier posts that suggest that it's not a forgone conclusion that Singleton's defense will translate right away to the NBA. I recall a lot of people were hyping up Cory Brewer when he came out of Florida that he was going to be the next Bruce Bowen. It just seems really rare that a young player is an elite defender. Almost all elite defenders are somewhat tenured and have become savvy and clever defenders over time. I'm not saying that Singleton can't be elite right away, but I'd be very hesitant to expect that he would in his first few years.
 
It won't be that hard.

Positives:
Big SF
Great defender (was best defensive player on the best defensive team in the nation)
Good catch and shoot (43% which ranks 4th among prospects according to DX)
Good 3 point shooter (36%)
Good rebounder (6.8 per game)
As well as being a good man defender, he also gets blocks and steals (around 2 each per game)

Negatives:
Not a good ball handler
Can't create his own offense
FT shooting is sub-par
Not good in finishing in transition
 
His big negatives won't be that apparent for the Jazz because they won't be asking him to handle the ball and get his shot. On FSU he was the leading scorer, so that means he had to try to create his own offense. I think him being set up will greatly improve his efficiency. With a ball handiling SG in Hayward and a PG, it isn't highly important we get a SF who can put it on the floor.
 
And teams have been impressed with his improved shooting throughout the workout proccess. I agree this is a rather bland/safe pick, but it certainly isn't a bad pick.
 
I think his biggest positive is his combination of size/length and atheticism. (I may not pick him at 12, but I wouldn't be upset about it either.)
 
Just for a point of reference, can anyone tell me who the last "elite defender" wing who has actually lived up to that designation in the NBA? I'm struggling to think of anyone off the top of my head.
 
vslice02 said:
Agree - Ronnie Brewer shot 56%, 51%, and 49% as a starter for Utah while averaging 12-13 ppg. That's extremely difficult to do - whether you're a bad shooter or not.

My concern with Singleton is it's tough to project how great a defender he'll by year 2, because in the NBA it often takes awhile as players gain experience/reputation/savvy (like a Tony Allen and James Posey).
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Ah yes, the pro brewer crowd chimes in. Nice! Yes yes, Brewer did put up a lot of smoke and mirrors. His dunks were sooooo cool too! But... Let's allow the video evidence to show you what his "abilities" did to our offense...
 
All I gotta say is be careful drafting a wing that struggles offensively.....

Next year's class of wings look far more promising. Why not wait until next year to actually get a wing that we want? Someone that can play both ends of the court?

At 12, there are certainly some intriguing prospects available. Klay Thompson, Donta, maybe Biyombo, Donta (at 12 he'd be a steal. It's worth a shot at least!).
 
We could use some defense... But we really need some offense.

No more players that are liabilities offensively!

As of right now, we have 2 players that can hit the 3 consistently. Millsap and maybe Hayward.

Had Jason Terry and JJ Barea not gone off in the last few games, the Heat would have been champs.

Defense and offense wins championships. What good does it do to play good defense when you can't do anything with the ball?
 
jrclone said:
Just for a point of reference, can anyone tell me who the last "elite defender" wing who has actually lived up to that designation in the NBA? I'm struggling to think of anyone off the top of my head.
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The problem is, people fall in love with the AK and Brewer kool-aid.

they think that steals and blocks equates to good defense.

Give me Wes Matthews' or Battiers' defense over those guys any day.

People credit Chandler for bringing the D to Dallas. I credit Jason Kidd as well. Though he didn't get many monster blocks with his "go go gadget arms", he kept his man mostly out of the paint and forced him to take difficult shots.

IF Singleton can battle for position (not like brewer or AK who gave way), stay in front, and recover quickly (without fouling), then he'll be a good defender at the NBA level.

If not, he'll just be another athletic wing that can once in a while make a cool play on sportscenter while giving up countless plays because of poor fundamentals and gambling.
 
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