Rudy Gobert "Greatest Jazz Center of All Time" Countdown Thread

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OK, we had to redo this thread due to the limitations of only being able to have 10 pics in one post. Also, a lot of my pics are broken and are being fixed. Additionally, Gobert is actually ahead of more people and I will add them in until we are current when the season tips off for real.

The Center position for the Utah Jazz has been a collection of some of the greatest scum, villainy, and heartbreakers known to the NBA. I have 58 players (59 if you count Biedrins, which I refuse to) as suiting up for the Jazz during both the New Orleans and Utah eras and I am going to document Gobert's rise to the top as he leaves these past paragons of mediocrity in his wake!
For statistical purposes I am only going to count what these people did as a Jazzman. If they left after one season and became an All Star somewhere else, then you only get the one year counted, because if you did your best work for another team, then screw you. Also this counts for Hall of Famers who played just one game for the Jazz at the butt end of their career (I'm looking at you Walt Bellamy, may you rest in peace.)

So here are Gobert's current Stats:
Points 2273
Rebounds 2491
Blocks 547
Steals 163
Assists 291

This ranks him at #13 ahead of:

#14 Otto Moore

Points 1486
Rebounds 1757
Blocks 292
Steals 160
Assists 479

Stop me if you have heard this before, but Moore was a solid player the Jazz grabbed at the downward slide of his career. Drafted in 1968 by the Detroit Pistons, Moore averaged 8.2 points and 8.2 rebounds in his NBA career, perfectly balanced, as all things should be. Acquired by the New Orleans Jazz in 1974, Moore averaged 7.4 and 8.7 playing three seasons for the Jazz. It may not seem like a lot, but Otto was at least a legit NBA player to match with team star Pistol Pete on a team lacking actual competitive options. By 1977, two years away from the Jazz being moved to Utah, Moore was starting for Virtus Banco di Roma and out of the NBA, perhaps starting the fine tradition of Centers ending their careers in Utah. his 3.1 assist rate for a center back in the Seventies wasn't too shabby though. . .



#15 Felton Spencer

Points 1390
Rebounds 721
Blocks 153
Steals 73
Assists 71

I guess I was young when we aquired Spencer in a trade for Big Brown Bear Mike Brown, but I remember being excited about getting a center "who could play a little offense!" Mark Eaton had just retired and didn't have near the popularity he enjoys today. Formally a #6 draft choice of the Pesky Timberwolves, he wasn't really living up to the expecations that got him drafted that high. Although he could never bring the defensive production of a Mark Eaton, he scored just under 10 points a game for three seasons for the Jazz as they transitioned from upstarts to Western Conference playoff mainstays. Unfortunately, Spencer's run was ended by a nasty achillies injury that forced the contending Jazz to go a different direction while Spencer rehabbed. Spencer landed in Orlando and the Jazz landed in the finals two years later. Spencer played 3 seasons for the Utah Jazz.

#16 Greg Foster

Points 1113
Rebounds 721
Blocks 78
Steals 36
Assists 132

Greg Foster was the primary backup center on what was perhaps the best bench the Utah Jazz ever had. Calling themselves "The Bench Mob" with the likes of Shandon ANderson, Antoine Carr, Adam Keefe, and Howard Eisley, Utah's bench rolled to two finals appearances in 1997 and 1998. Foster is probably best known, however, for deploying the "throat slash" gesture to the Lakers in a game toward the end of the regular season in 1998, amping things up for an eventual playoff matchup between the Lakers and the Jazz. I will always love Foster for disrespecting the Lakers.

Unfortunately, Foster will also be forever known as a piece, along with Chris Morris, in the failed Ronnie Seikley trade in 1998. Ironically he won a ring with his one season the Lakers in 2001.

Foster is currently an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Here is Foster lighting up Shaq in the aforementioned 1998 Playoff series.



#17 Olden Polynice
Points 962
Rebounds 916
Blocks 171
Steals 61
Assists 74

Olden Polynice was supposed to be the answer once Greg Ostertag started to crawl back into his shell. Initially bringing in a shot of toughness to the Last Gasp of the Stockton and Malone era he was signed as a free agent in 1999. I seemed to remember him being more effective than he actually was, averaging less than 6 points and 1 block per game. He was an excellent offensive rebounder however and provided attitude in place of the emasculated Ostertag. Unfortunately, he is best known for his "night job" of impersonating an officer, which he did twice in 2000-2001 during apparent road rage incidents, flashing his honorary LAPD badge. His third strike came later that summer when he beat the hell out of some dude at a local golf course, pretty much sealing his exit from Utah and the NBA. He was picked up for a short time by the Clippers a few years later, but couldn't stick. He later coached in the now defunct ABA and did color commentary for the WNBA.

#18 Joe Meriweather
Points 694
Rebounds 556
Blocks 159
Steals 35
Assists 89

Joe Meriweather played 2 seasons with the New Orleans Jazz from 77-79. Drafted by the Rockets he received all NBA Rookie honors before settling into a 10 year journeyman career. He finished his career with the Kansas City Kings where he became a part of that community, developing his talents by coaching various women's teams at the high school, college, and semi-pro level. He also served as CEO of 3C’s Fatherhood Educational Partnership, Inc., a Kansas City-based educational program that works to develop young men into responsible fathers. He was also inducted into the SIU Saluki Hall of Fame. Joe dies suddenly back in 2013 at the age of 59 from sudden unidentified causes after a brief hospital visit.

#19 Mel Counts
Points 610
Rebounds 541
Blocks 51
Steals 65
Assists 220

So, Mel Counts didn't suck. He bounced back and forth between the Lakers and Celtics, before, stop if you have heard this before, ending a good career with the bad New Orleans Jazz. He won two championships with the Celtics in his first two season in 1965 and 66, and eventually ended up with the Jazz in 1974 in a trade from the Lakers for "future considerations." He was a mainstay of the Lakers teams that kept losing to the Celtics in the 60's playing backup for Wilt. Eventually he was traded straight up for Gail Goodrich to Phoenix (a move that would later be disastrous for the Jazz.) The Lakers eventually got him back, before his career died with the Jazz. Today Mel is a real estate agent in Oregon. You can buy farms from him off of youtube.



Dude is still pretty darn big.

#20 Tom Boswell
Points 781
Rebounds 398
Blocks 30
Steals 33
Assists 133

Drafted by the Celtics in 1975, Boswell won a championship with the Celtics in 76, eventually moving to the Nuggets, then making his way over the Jazz in 79. He left after one year to play in Italy and returned to the Jazz in for the 83-84 season. I was able to find an old clipping from the Denver news paper covering the news that Boswell had been dealt to the Jazz, from the Denver General manager. "We think that Tom is a good player, but by making this deal, we have the opportunity to add another good player to our roster. (Boswell was traded for a second round pick.) In addition this will allow George Johnson a chance to play more. (that dude certainly tore it up, right?) I might add that we're building for the future by stockpiling some draft choices. Don't forget we received second and third round picks from Utah earlier in a trade for Robert Smith."

Evidently the financially struggling Jazz just hated draft picks back in the day. If you read further in the article it talks about how Boswell got in altercation with his assistant coach in Denver and got suspended and fined. Probably why he was shuttled to the Jazz where he didn't stick. His numbers weren't bad so I would guess attitude was the problem.

#21 Eric Leckner
Points 670
Rebounds 401
Blocks 45
Steals 23
Assists 37

Eric Leckner played for Wyoming and tore up the WAC. He was the 3 time MVP of the conference tournament and led the Cowboys to the sweet 16 in 1987. He was drafted by the Jazz in 1988 played in Utah for two seasons of his eventual 8 in the NBA. Evidently, Dave Checketts wanted Thunder Dan instead, but the rest of the Jazz brass went with size in an effort to back up Mark Eaton who was now in his 30's. He went on to play less and less as his term in Utah grew longer. Said Karl Malone of Leckner,

"Sometimes, I get a little mad at him because I can tell he's not trying hard. It gets kind of frustrating because you see him making the same mistakes over and over. Eric Leckner can be as good as Eric Leckner wants to be."

Leckner went on to be a piece in the trade that landed Jeff Malone in Utah.

#22 Wayne Cooper
Points 489
Rebounds 440
Blocks 51
Steals 18
Assists 52

Wayne Cooper is perhaps the most boring player on the entire list. He was drafted out of the University of New Orleans by Golden State and was traded to Utah after two years for Bernard King in 1980 (wait, what? Bernard King played for the Jazz?) He played one season for the Jazz. He played in the NBA for 14 seasons retiring in 1992. He then went on to a couple of front office jobs, mostly for the Sacramento Kings where he remained employed for 17 years before being let go in 2013. The Jazz team he played on also included Ron Boone, Adrian Dantley, Rickey Greene, and Jeff Judkins. Awesome!

#23 Mel Turpin

Points 470
Rebounds 236
Blocks 68
Steals 26
Assists 32

Kentucky All-American Mel Turpin was drafted 6th in the greatest draft of all time in 1984, and never really lived up to the billing. Plagued by weight problems stretching back to his college days when the coaches hired students to turn away the pizza delivery man (Turpin had them meet him at his window) Mel was deridingly named "Dinner Bell Mel" or the "Mealman." By the time he got to Utah, he was pretty much on his last chance in the league. He would still, however, show shines of greatness. Generally, however, he spent a lot of time in Coach Frank Layden's doghouse. Turpin was also known to be a talker and was once involved in fisticuffs with a player from the opposing team about how ugly his girlfriend was. He was also a prized and humorous interview.

After he finished the 87-88 season with the Jazz, he was "traded" to Spain for Jose Ortiz. Actually, Turpin needed a new Team and the Jazz arranging his transfer to Spain, made Ortiz's club look kindly upon waving the restrictions they had placed on Ortiz. After a year in Europe, Turpin played one year of minor league ball before calling it quits. He later became a security guard, and reportedly enjoyed the work, eventually working for his alma mater of Kentucky. Turpin died of an apparent suicide in 2010. Nobody could point to any particular issue with money, drugs, or unhappiness, but his wife had been hospitalized with a severe stroke the week before.

#24 Neal Walk

Points 366
Rebounds 262
Blocks 20
Steals 30
Assists 101

So Neal Walk was the #2 pick in the 1969 draft. He turned out to be a decent player, but Phoenix had to settle for the #2 pick after they lost a coin flip and watched Milwaukee snag college phenom Lew Alcindor. He played 1 season for the New Orleans Jazz in 74-75 and averaged 10 and 7 before being moved on the New York Knicks. He played 8 years in the NBA. In 1988 Walk was discovered to have a tumor enveloping his spine and surgery to remove it left him in a wheelchair. He used this as an opportunity and played in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. In 1990, Walk was awarded "National Wheelchair Athlete of the Year" by George HW Bush. He currently works in the Phoenix Suns archive department, and gives motivational speeches to young people about overcoming adversity.

#25 Kyrylo Fesenko

Points 329
Rebounds 299
Blocks 58
Steals 17
Assists 51

Yep, that time has arrived when Rudy puts Fes into the rearview mirror. If the Jazz had an all time quote team, Fes would be on there. Dude was flat out hilarious, and had mad athletic skills for his size, he just never seemed like he was able to play basketball. He would show marvelous flashes where he seemed unstoppable and a possible future cornerstone then would just slide into Ameachiville. In that sense he was the anti-Gobert getting career highs in points and rebounds (12 and 11, respectively in one game against Houston in 2008. I really thought it was better than that. . .) and never reaching either total again. He signed a three year contract starting in 2007 as a second round pick traded from the 76'rs, and spurned a multi-year contract from Houston to play for the Jazz for one more season in 2010. That was a bad decision as he soon found himself out of the league. I last saw him playing for the Wolves Summer League team this year, but he didn't stick. It appears that his goal for getting back into the league was to get his family out of the Ukraine where he fears for their safety. I'll cheer for him whatever life brings.

 

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#26 Kent Benson

Points 329
Rebounds 231
Blocks 28
Steals 39
Assists 39

Mostly known as the dude we traded Adrian Dantley for (well him and the forgettable Kelly Tripucka. It really set the current rebuild back. . .) Kent played for Indiana in college and only turned in a perfect season as a the team's star as a junior in 1976 (perfect meaning that they didn't lose a single game regular and post season.) He was the number one pick out of college. He was never able to break out in the NBA and was a 10 and 6 average guy for most of his career. When he came to the Jazz in 86 playing time was sparse behind emerging stars Mark Eaton and Karl Malone. He only averaged 12 minutes a game. He went on to play 2 games for Indiana the next season before playing one season overseas in Italy. Also well known for breaking Abdul-Jabbar's hand with his Jaw in his first game in the NBA. The NBA counted Abdul-Jabbar's two month recovery time as a suspension because that is how the NBA has ALWAYS rolled with the Lakers.

#27 Curtis Borchardt

Points 258
Rebounds 278
Blocks 46
Steals 14
Assists 64

OK, let's get something out of the way right now. Curtis didn't suck, he just couldn't overcome his injuries. Had his feet cooperated, he would have been one of the best centers we ever had. A lot of people were angry because the Jazz traded up to draft Borchardt over Boozer. Remember however that EVERY team passed on Boozer at least once, and Borchardt was a "swing for the fences" pick in 2003 that was possible because he was "on sale" due to his injury. That bet didn't work out and Borchardt appeared in less than 90 games. When he played, he could defend, pass and shoot from distance, which is very rare for a center. I thought he went on to use his Stanford degree, but it appears that he was paying overseas up until a year or two ago. Good for him.

The lesson I take from Borchardt, and backed up by other examples, is that lingering foot issues for big men almost never go away, due to their weight, the size of their feet, and the stress of playing in the NBA. Thus I have almost no hope for Joel Embiid, although I hope he beats the odds. It also makes me happy that Gobert has shown no signs of lingering injury despite the pace he plays at.

#28 John Amaechi

Points 277
Rebounds 187
Blocks 17
Steals 21
Assists 50

Easily the most disappointing free agent pickup the Jazz ever had. I don't really hate a lot of former Jazz players, but this guy can burn in Hell. Signed to the 2001 Jazz squad in what would amount to StockMalone's last gasp, not a tremendous amount was expected of him, only to be a solid backup to Ostertag and, at times, Malone. Instead, he immediately began to sulk and found himself in Jerry Sloan's doghouse. What happened is that right after signing his contract, John ceased to care about basketball. Later he would claim that it was in reaction to the team persecuting him because he was gay, but evidently no one besides Andrei Kirilenko knew he was gay. He wrote a book detailing how Larry H. Miller was virulently anti-gay, when in reality Larry was just anti the guy STEALING money from him. Also, Jerry Sloan used anti-gay slurs when referring to him, just not in FRONT of him. Amaechi never disclosed what those "slurs" consisted of. . . What you need to know in retrospect is that in two years with the Jazz Amaechi played 16 playoff minutes. He was later traded for Glenn Rice and some draft picks. He now does sports commentary with the BBC if he feels like it after waking up in the morning.

#29 Ike Austin
Points 190
Rebounds 114
Blocks 9
Steals 10
Assists 16

Ike Austin is the one rare case where a center started his career with the Jazz THEN went on to be pretty good. A second round pick from Tempe Normal School (who just got laid low by the University of Arizona) Austin joined the Jazz in 1991 and played 2 seasons. Not doing much he went to Europe and played before returning to the NBA for the Miami Heat in 1997 and played really, really well netting the award for the most improved player. After a couple of good seasons, Austin entered free agency where he spurned the Jazz and best friend Karl Malone to sign with Orlando (Jazz were capped out.) He then went on to disappear and was traded several times before leaving the League.

Later, in 2004, he went on to become Owner-Coach of the Utah Snowbears in the ABA. They went 27-1 and dominated the league heading into the playoffs. For some reason, Austin feuded with league officials and quit the league, forfeiting all remaining games.

#30 Jose Ortiz
Points 183
Rebounds 73
Blocks 8
Steals 10
Assists 18

Ok, First of all I do recognize that Ortiz was a significantly worse player than Ruffin, and I will eventually go back an re-rank. Where to start with Jose? Many consider him the best Puerto Rican player ever, and played on the Puerto Rican national team from 1983 until 2004. In 2004 he teamed up with Carlos Arroyo to hand the United States professional Olympic team their first loss ever. As a Jazzman, he is purely forgettable, however playing the entirety of his NBA career from 88-90, being waved halfway through his second season. The Jazz invested a 15th pick on him and he played in Spain for two years before coming over to the NBA and sucking. He did pretty well in Europe, netting 8 championships over the rest of his long career. The last we heard from Ortiz he was serving a six month sentence for possession and growing of marijuana along with maintaining a contraband stash of AK-47s. Wait, what?!!

#31 Michael Ruffin
Points 92
Rebounds 207
Blocks 21
Steals 22
Assists 41

So Ruffin had a pretty good little season for the Jazz back in 2003, averaging 2 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist in 17 minutes per game. I also wasn't aware that he had a 9 year career in the NBA which is definitely an accomplishment. The 6'8' undersized center from Tulsa played scrappy and hard nosed defense against people bigger than him, on average, which didn't often show in the box score. Unfortunately for Ruffin, he will always probably be best known for that one lapse in his defensive judgment. When playing for the Wizards, he intercepted the ball on the inbounds pass with seconds remaining, threw the ball in the air to run out the clock. Unfortunately he didn't throw it high enough, Morris Paterson caught it, and nailed the long 3, sending the playoff game into overtime where the Wizards eventually lost. We still love ya, Ruffin, because you didn't do that as a Jazzman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5bqF4VDSx4

#32 James Donaldson
Points 135
Rebounds 118
Blocks 38
Steals 7
Assists 15

I'll always remember him as the corpse that started games during the 94-95 season until he went to the bench where you would never see him again. He just looked sooooo old. He was 37, which in retrospect makes me sad. He was actually a decent player with a 14 year career averaging 9 and 8. Of course he went to Utah to finally put his career out of its misery like many centers before him. I remember him being very tall (7'2") and playing like he was in pain, which it turns out he probably was as injuries forced him into retirement. He has the distinction of playing the most games, 957, without ever taking a three point shot. He now lives in Seattle where he runs a physical therapy clinic and ran for mayor. He came in 4th. Here is is looking much younger playing for Dallas.

#33 Ben Handlogten
Points 163
Rebounds 120
Blocks 9
Steals 10
Assists 19

Perhaps the most beloved scrub ever to play for the Utah Jazz. Played for the Jazz from 2003-2005 and was part of what was supposed to be the worst team ever to play in the NBA that finished just out of the playoffs. Keep in mind that during his two year stint he had a season ending ACL injury, was traded with Keon Clark for Tom Gugliotta and the extra draft pick that turned into Deron Williams, then was later resigned by the Jazz after his recovery. After being signed for the remainder of the season in 2005, Ben went and scored his first and only NBA double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. In 2011, Handlogten became an executive at a medical supply company.

#34 Francisco Elson
Points 134
Rebounds 115
Blocks 14
Steals 21
Assists 33

This 7 foot Dutch Center had an 8 year long NBA career. He began his professional playing days at the age of 12 in the Netherlands. He is probably best known for his altercation with Kevin Garnett when he played with Denver. After sending Garnett into the stands with a hard foul, Garnett retaliated later by punching Elson in the groin. Elson escalated things by calling Garnett "gay." Of course he was later forced to apologize. Elson went on to win a championship with the Spurs in 07. Elson was signed to a two year contract with the Jazz in 2010 but only played a year of it due to injuries. Elson returned to the Netherlands to recover and was eventually called up by the Sixers to provide temporary depth the next year, but only played in 5 games to round out his career. Elson never averaged more than 5 points per game his entire career.

#35 Todd Fuller
Points 168
Rebounds 129
Blocks 16
Steals 6
Assists 6

I remember this trade, I remember I had hope for this trade, I remember how bad Todd Fuller sucked. Up until that point I thought there was something magical about dudes picked in the lottery (Golden State, #11) because we had very few of those dudes show up to play for the Jazz. There was, however, a reason that we only gave up a second rounder to get him. He played for the 98-99 Jazz where soooo much was expected. Interestingly Fuller declined a Rhodes Scholarship to the University of Oxford in order to play pro ball. This is one of the few cases where the guy should have stayed in school instead of going pro, even though he scraped by for 5 NBA seasons. Currently Fuller is a certified high school math teacher. He participated in the Australian National Baptist Basketball Carnival where he went off for a career high 52 against the Dimsdalle Abbey Deacons second squad. Actually he was a solid college player who for 21 and 10 in the ACC playing for NC State. We just needed something more in 98.

 

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#36 Mikki Moore
Points 128
Rebounds 82
Blocks 13
Steals 7
Assists 19

Mikki could, quite possibly, be the most overrated (by Jazz Fanz) center to ever play on the Utah Jazz. I remember people trying to work out trades for him YEAAARS after his stint in Utah, and would bring up his name every time he was "available." It says a lot about his demeanor and popularity. In reality he was the textbook definition of Journeyman, playing for 14 different teams since he entered the league in 1997. He played with the Jazz in 2004 after being called up from the D-league. 2004 was probably one of the most fun teams we ever had which contributed to Moore's popularity. If you still want him, he is currently playing for the Reno Big Horns.

#37 Steve Hayes
Points 92
Rebounds 78
Blocks 17
Steals 5
Assists 7

When I mentioned Jeff Cook being the pride of Idaho State University, I neglected Steve Hayes who is their most legendary player. All he did in college was keep UCLA out of their 11th consecutive final 4 by defeating them in the Sweet 16 in 1977, scoring 27 points and 12 rebounds. This 7 footer had a 13 year pro career internationally, in the NBA, and in the CBA. He completed his NBA stint on the Utah Jazz, where centers apparently go to die, in 85-86. He has since worked in the athletic department at Idaho State, had his own IT firm, and is secretary of the NBA retired players association (Big T is vice chairman.) He was inducted into the state of Idaho's athletic hall of fame. This was the only pathetic pic I could find of him playing basketball:

#38 Billy Paultz
Points 89
Rebounds 104
Blocks 12
Steals 7
Assists 18

Paultz was an NBA veteran and played 8 years in the NBA out of St. John's. He played his final year in Utah in 1984 and is important as a milestone to show Utah fans everywhere just how bad Houston sucks. They still suck today. In the 1985 playoffs, The scrappy Utah Jazz defeated the Houston Rockets in an upset in game 5. As a part of the game, Paultz was able to get under the skin of Houston's Hakeem Olajuwon with his tenacious defense until "The Dream" actually hit Paultz in the mouth. Like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VtrIz4ROC0
Amazingly, Olajuwon wasn't even ejected but stayed on the court to be defeated by rejuvenated Paultz and company in what would become a glorious tradition of sending Houston home. Also, it has to be noted that Paultz's nickname was "The Whopper," which drives my estimation of him up further. Who DOESN"T want to be known as "The Whopper." Here's to you Mr. The Whopper!

#39 Rafael Araújo
Points 83
Rebounds 77
Blocks 2
Steals 7
Assists 11

The moment that many have been waiting for, Rudy Gobert has eclipsed the legend of Araujo. Araujo was a standout at BYU and was drafted, inexplicably, by the Boston Celtics at 8. Being too uncoordinated and slow to succeed at the NBA level where his superior mass was equalized, it became quickly apparent in Boston that he wasn't going to pan out. So in what some would consider one of the greatest tragedies in the Modern Jazz era, Araujo was traded for Bobby Williams and Kris Humphries. Arujo immediately found a place in Jerry Sloan's doghouse and remained there until he was let go at the end of the season. Realistically Rafael should be ranked lower, but I gave him a bump based on a summer league altercation with superpunk Marvin Williams. Whatever happened to THAT guy!?

#40 Jerome Whitehead
Points 67
Rebounds 97
Blocks 11
Steals 7
Assists 18

Entered the NBA as a second round pick of the San Diego Clippers at a lanky 6'10" right after winning an NCAA championship with Marquette in 1977. Jerome had a Journeyman 11 year career in the NBA with a stopover with the Utah Jazz in 1979. In his 11 year career, Jerome only made the playoffs once. He passed away relatively young in 2012 from complications due to a lifetime of alcohol abuse.

#41 John Gianelli
Points 55
Rebounds 62
Blocks 7
Steals 6
Assists 17

Another Center that we picked up for the tail end of his career back in 1979. Out of the University of the Pacific he spent half of his career as a Knick. Averaging 10 and 9 in 1974. He won a ring as a sophomore on the 73 Knicks. Went on to play in his home country of Italy where he won a championship with teammate Mike D’Antoni. Was also known as the G-Man

#42 Pete Chilcutt
Points 47
Rebounds 43
Blocks 4
Steals 5
Assists 10

For some reason I had high hopes when the Jazz acquired Chilcutt even though he was eight years into a mediocre career. He was brought in to replace the departing Greg Foster. He certainly wasn't the answer to getting us back to the finals in 1999. It also amuses me that him and Scott Padgett were on the same team for some reason. It's like we were into collecting white college allstars with no NBA game at precisely the point that we should have been getting real help for Stockton and Malone. But hey, at least we didn't trade Danny Ainge for the right to draft him like the Kings did. Chilcutt currently works as a sixth grade teacher, which is kind of cool.
It appears that all pictorial evidence that Chilcutt played on the Jazz has disappeared since I made this post. So here he is as a Rocket:

#43 Walter Palmer
Points 42
Rebounds 21
Blocks 4
Steals 3
Assists 6

I personally remember Walt Palmer as the worst player on the first NBA simulation game I played at my friend's house on his Sega (I think.) You would start the game up, select the Jazz, then immediately cut him. In real life, Palmer played in 28 games for the 90-91 Jazz, including 6 minutes in the playoffs. Drafted in the second round by the Jazz out of Dartmouth, Palmer went on to play one more year for Denver then headed to Europe. There, he single handedly unionized European basketball. Seriously, look it up. Definitely a living embodiment of the age old maximum, "Those who can, do. Those who can't, head to Europe, fail there, then discover a need to unionize European basketball players."

#44 Brett Vroman
Points 34
Rebounds 25
Blocks 5
Steals 5
Assists 9

This Provo, Utah product played 11 games for the 1980 Utah Jazz squad and 12 more seasons in Europe. He skipped BYU to go to UCLA then ended up playing his senior season for UNLV. he played on the '75 National Champion UCLA team. He was drafted in the 4th round by the 76rs but never played a game for them. His son, Jackson, played 2 years in the League starting in 2004. In the end, all that can be said is "Dat HAIR, Doe!"

#45 John Block
Points 27
Rebounds 18
Blocks 1
Steals 4
Assists 7

Is there a more perfect name for a center than John Block? "Block defends his man on the low block, then rises up and blocks the shot cleanly!" Not to mention that Block was pretty damn good, just two years removed from an all-star campaign. Unfortunately for the 74-75 New Orleans Jazz, they seemed to still be under the stipulation that no center worth anything at all could play more than 4 games for the Jazz. Block got all of those numbers in 4 games. He finished his career in Chicago with 2 games in 1976. Dude even looks like a stud:

 

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#46 Paul Grant
Points 25
Rebounds 17
Blocks 1
Steals 1
Assists 3

By the time the 2002 Utah Jazz got their hands on this 7'0" University of Wisconsin product, he was 10 day contract fodder. He ended up playing in 10 games for the Utah Jazz on two separate 10 days which comprised the bulk of his 22 game career. The highlight of his career was probably being a throw in for the Stephan Marbury for Terrell Brandon trade in 1999. He currently works as an assistant for the MIT basketball team. In other news, MIT has a basketball team. . .

#47 Dan O'Sullivan
Points 21
Rebounds 17
Blocks 1
Steals 1
Assists 4

As an undrafted rookie from Fordam, the 6'10" O'Sullivan played in 21 games for the 90-91 Utah Jazz. He would go on to play 2 more years on 4 different teams capping his career with a 33 point scoring explosion (for the entire season) at Toronto, where he will hang his legacy. The really sad thing is that his Jazz Jersey was on sale on ebay. Nobody owned a Dan O'Sullivan Jazz jersey but Dan. I couldn't find any player pics of him, so we are going with him coaching little league basketball, which is cool:

#48 Aleksandar Radojevic
Points 19
Rebounds 28
Blocks 2
Steals 0
Assists 6
The great thing about Radojevic is that he had to play at Barton County Community College after he got Kantered because of his European League experience, then he got Ohio State Buckeye coach Jim O' Brian fired after O'Brian fronted Radojevic $6,700 in cash ostensibly to pay for his father's funeral. After that, he was disqualified by the NCAA and had to enter the draft. He was drafted by the Toronto Raptors in the lottery at 12 in 1999. Injuries derailed his careere and he was traded twice, once for Keon Clark (who hasn't been traded for Keon Clark?) After that unpleasantness he went back to Europe, returning to play 12 games for the Jazz in 2004. He currently plays pro ball in the National Basketball League of Canada (who knew Canada had their own league?)

#49 Luther Wright
Points 19
Rebounds 10
Blocks 2
Steals 1
Assists 1
What more is to be said about Luther Wright that hasn't been said? Drafted as a promising player out of Seton Hall University with the 18th pick (crazy that so much was expected out of an 18 pick) it turned out that Luther was pretty much insane. Also insane? the fact that Luther started 2 games out of his 15 game career. An article was written about Wright back in 2007 that I still remember to this day. Definitely worth the read if you have the time. Here is the link.

#50 Pat Cummings
Points 15
Rebounds 5
Blocks 0
Steals 0
Assists 0
Pat Cummings was yet another serviceable to good center to find his way to Utah at the end of his career in 1990 in order to play 4 games. The University of Cincinnati product had an 11 year career averaging about 10 and 5. He was a bit undersized to play Center and was 35 so he sure wasn't backing up the Mailman.

#51 William Cunningham
Points 8
Rebounds 8
Blocks 0
Steals 2
Assists 1
Mr. Cunningham, a legit 6'11'' 250 undrafted out of Temple played 6 games for the Jazz, actually starting 2 in 1996. Jazz were pretty good in this timeframe, so the starts are kind of mystifying. He has the distinction of playing for 4 teams in his two year career, which is something, I guess. It appears that Mr. Cunningham now works for the NSA as any pictorial evidence of his basketball career has completely disappeared.


#52 Darryl Dawkins
Points 6
Rebounds 5
Blocks 1
Steals 0
Assists 1
Yes he played only 4 games for the Jazz in 1987, and yes he only shot freakin' 14%, but he was Chocolate Thunder so I didn't have the heart to rank him any lower. For the next handful of years he would go on to play a handful of games for a handful of teams, but he never would drop below that 14% he efforted for the Jazz. Here is the highlight video. He did none of this for the Jazz. . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V7z1UY1WbE


#53 Jeff Cook
Points 7
Rebounds 5
Blocks 0
Steals 0
Assists 0
The pride of Idaho State University, Cook had a 7 year career in the NBA with his stint with the Utah Jazz being the worst. He logged 17 minutes in 2 games with the 85-86 Utah Jazz during the regular season, but added 21 minutes in 4 games in the playoffs. He still has more points than Rudy, but those rebounds and blocks that Gobert is raking up give him the edge, although I considered ranking Cook higher based on just his mustache.

#54 Walt Ballamy
Points 6
Rebounds 5
Blocks 0
Steals 0
Assists 0
Bellamy just passed away two days ago. He played a glorious 1 game for a grand total of 14 minutes for the New Orleans Jazz at the end of his career in 1974. He was a Hall of Famer, averaging 20 points and almost 14 rebounds for his career. The good news is that had the Jazz obtained a prime Bellamy, they may not have been bad enough to have been moved to Utah. Prayers to Bellamy and his family.

#55 Chad Gallagher
Points 6
Rebounds 0
Blocks 0
Steals 0
Assists 0
Creighton product Chad Gallagher was drafted in the second round of the NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns. He didn't make the squad. He was later picked up by the Jazz and played a total of three minutes spread over two games during a ten day contract in February 1993. The two notable things about Mr. Gallagher is that he retired from the NBA with a perfect shooting percentage of 3-3 at 100% and was the 1991 Missouri Valley Conference player of the year during his NCAA days.

#56 Aaron Williams
Points 4
Rebounds 3
Blocks 0
Steals 0
Assists 1
Aaron had a pretty good career all in all, just not as a center for the Utah Jazz. He played in 715 NBA games, but just 6 with the Jazz his rookie season. Most will remember him as a serviceable backup big on the New Jersey Nets playoff squads from 2001-2004.

#57 Carl Kilpatrick
Points 3
Rebounds 4
Blocks 0
Steals 0
Assists 0
Back in 1979, Carl (we will refer to him as Carl the Lesser) snuck into two games for a total of 6 minutes. From the University of Louisiana at Monroe, he was drafted in the 8th round and lived, for those six minutes a dream that most of us never will.

#58 Darren Morningstar
Points 1
Rebounds 1
Blocks 0
Steals 0
Assists 0
Started 15 games for Dallas in 1993 before being cut. He was then plucked from the CBA by Utah where he played in exactly 1 game for 4 minutes to round out the rest of his NBA career. Started College at Navy, then transferred to Pitt (not exactly sure how that worked.) He was drafted in the second round by the Boston Celtics 2 years earlier who couldn't find a use for him. But seriously, how could you not give this guy a chance:

 

[framer]

last reserve

 

[framer]

OK one more reserve

 

[Stifle Tower]

I see you took my suggestion.
That's why they pay me the big bucks!








This space for sale if you need another one.

 

[framer]

Yeah, this is the SECOND time I have done this. Still expecting somebody to come along and scream "MERGE!!!" without even reading the thread. But, if we can make it a couple days without that happening, I'll go ahead and catch the listings up to Gobert's current status. . .

 

[♪alt13]

MERGE!!!!!

 

[Coach Ellis]

I'm interested in seeing how fast Rudy can rise on this list based on actually getting playing time and having a coach who clearly believes in him. Ideally, the top two on this list down the road are Favors and Gobert. They both are talented, young and like being in Utah. I'm excited to see them play together for the foreseeable future.

And this post is also available down the road if you need it. Let's keep this thing running for as long as possible.

 

[framer]

I'm interested in seeing how fast Rudy can rise on this list based on actually getting playing time and having a coach who clearly believes in him. Ideally, the top two on this list down the road are Favors and Gobert. They both are talented, young and like being in Utah. I'm excited to see them play together for the foreseeable future.

And this post is also available down the road if you need it. Let's keep this thing running for as long as possible.

Memo, Eaton, Mel Counts, and Ostertag will take several seasons of good work to surpass. Spoiler Alert, I'm thinking that Gobert might have already passed Arujuo (sp) although he isn't next on this list. That would be Jerome Whitehead.

 

[Coach Ellis]

Memo, Eaton, Mel Counts, and Ostertag will take several seasons of good work to surpass.

Agreed. But I think that he can get up into the top 10 quickly if he develops like some of us think he's capable of. The guys is a beast. He works hard, he plays all out and he's insanely talented. I love watching him every time he's out there. Easily one if my favorite players on the team.

 

[Stifle Tower]

Jazz also had some decent guys who were PF/C's but only played a short time (the Brown Bear, the Big Dog). Hey, just by signing his contract, Gobert passed up Rony Seikaly. So Whitehead and Araujo are up next. Fesenko has to be coming up pretty soon too.

 

[framer]

#40 Jerome Whitehead
Points 67
Rebounds 97
Blocks 11
Steals 7
Assists 18

Entered the NBA as a second round pick of the San Diego Clippers at a lanky 6'10" right after winning an NCAA championship with Marquette in 1977. Jerome had a Journeyman 11 year career in the NBA with a stopover with the Utah Jazz in 1979. In his 11 year career, Jerome only made the playoffs once. He passed away relatively young in 2012 from complications due to a lifetime of alcohol abuse.

 

[fallenchicken]

As the wildly famous, renowned creator of the Is Hayward God thread, I endorse this thread. It's a masterpiece.

 

[Lakers_Slapper]

this is like deja-vu. NO not the porn star, the real deja-vu, like............... didn't we just talk about this??? That's it, I'm going to quit my job tomorrow and go and build the greatest invention you've ever seen!! It's called a roller coaster..... I'm gonna be famous.

 

[karpasov]

Hey framer, absolutely magnificent thread. Like it a lot and I believe Rudy will make it to the top 10 eventually. I have a suggestion for you. You can add to post #1 the name and stats of the "next" guy on the list so we can all monitor and be excited towards the next benchmark of the journey.
Again - great thread. Thanks.

 

[hhhhkau]

Incredible thread. Magical.

 

[framer]

#39 Rafael Araújo
Points 83
Rebounds 77
Blocks 2
Steals 7
Assists 11

The moment that many have been waiting for, Rudy Gobert has eclipsed the legend of Araujo. Araujo was a standout at BYU and was drafted, inexplicably, by the Boston Celtics at 8. Being too uncoordinated and slow to succeed at the NBA level where his superior mass was equalized, it became quickly apparent in Boston that he wasn't going to pan out. So in what some would consider one of the greatest tragedies in the Modern Jazz era, Araujo was traded for Bobby Williams and Kris Humphries. Arujo immediately found a place in Jerry Sloan's doghouse and remained there until he was let go at the end of the season. Realistically Rafael should be ranked lower, but I gave him a bump based on a summer league altercation with superpunk Marvin Williams. Whatever happened to THAT guy!?

 

[framer]

#38 Billy Paultz
Points 89
Rebounds 104
Blocks 12
Steals 7
Assists 18

Paultz was an NBA veteran and played 8 years in the NBA out of St. John's. He played his final year in Utah in 1984 and is important as a milestone to show Utah fans everywhere just how bad Houston sucks. They still suck today. In the 1985 playoffs, The scrappy Utah Jazz defeated the Houston Rockets in an upset in game 5. As a part of the game, Paultz was able to get under the skin of Houston's Hakeem Olajuwon with his tenacious defense until "The Dream" actually hit Paultz in the mouth. Like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VtrIz4ROC0
Amazingly, Olajuwon wasn't even ejected but stayed on the court to be defeated by rejuvenated Paultz and company in what would become a glorious tradition of sending Houston home. Also, it has to be noted that Paultz's nickname was "The Whopper," which drives my estimation of him up further. Who DOESN"T want to be known as "The Whopper." Here's to you Mr. The Whopper!