Coal Aldrich

[Michael]

I just do not see the Tag/ Aldrich comparison, to my eyes they are apples and oranges.
Aldrich has all the qualities that we wanted Tag to have.

I say Aldrich is a good pick.

 

[richgates]

The only thing I can see Aldrich lacking is size. But his wingspan makes up for some of that deficiency. He has the right attitude and work ethic to fit within the Jazz system, and he doesn't need to be an offensive powerhouse. There is plenty of scoring on the Jazz. We need someone like Aldrich who isn't afraid to defend in the paint and block shots. My inkling at this point is the Jazz are going to take either Aldrich or Babbitt, with Aldrich being more likely.

 

[jazzlurker]

Aldrich shot sucks... for years everyone complained about Brewer's shot. Aldrich's form is the worse than Brewer's and he can't blame falling out of an oak tree for it. If you think Memo is slow, watch Aldrich sprint next too him. I say pass.

 

[richgates]

I don't care what the form looks like if the shot goes in. The only concern I have with Aldrich's form is that he is more likely to be blocked from behind by help defense. Aldrich's sprint isn't as bad as you think it is. If you've watched any of the workout videos with Aldrich and other bigs, he was competitive in the drills.

 

[Revolution 9]

So it's just a fluke Babbitt tested out as the best forward in the entire class in lane agility...nice one

I understand he tested out well. Have you ever heard of players testing out well that aren't able to replicate that in a real game? Nice one....

 

[Revolution 9]

I don't feel like looking it up but I read the combine stats of Babbitt and Melo and they were very similar. Add to that Babbitt's shot accuracy and size and wow. At first glance I dismissed him - probably because he's white. But looking at his numbers, it's plausible he might be a stud. If he was black he'd probably be drafted a lot higher - top 4 maybe?

(I don't want to open a tired race discussion - just stating the sad truth that I guess I tend not to give a white kid like Babbit much of a look unless some stat forces a second look. And it appears this white kid's worth a second look).

But does he help defensively? ...No. I mean, I think he'd work on his defense to be a more complete player but defense isn't what he's known for. Defense is what Aldrich is known for. Today I might be narrowing my choices to either Babbitt or Aldrich. Tomorrow I'll probably go back to flirting with Whiteside's potential.

If only the Jazz could figure out a way to get both Aldrich and Babbitt.

Early mocks had Babbitt in the second round. Which makes me doubt my recent crush on him. Why is he shooting up the draft boards? Is there a way the Jazz could get a couple of good players in Babbitt and Aldrich because GMs maybe see them as a couple of "low-ceiling" white kids? Can the race card be used to the Jazz' advantage?

Thank you for your thoughts. You seem to be going back and forth like all of us. It's hard because new information comes out daily that can change your opinion.
What you said about Babbitt is spot on. He may be a good offense player in this league. If that what the Jazz are after, more offense less defense, then this could
be our pick. Personally, I'm ready for the team to reflect the coach. I want a team that plays defense with a mean streak. Adding Aldrich or even Udoh is a step
in the right direction. I can certainly understand the interest in Babbitt, I just hope we go in a different direction.

 

[calijazz]

Aldrich shot sucks... for years everyone complained about Brewer's shot. Aldrich's form is the worse than Brewer's and he can't blame falling out of an oak tree for it. If you think Memo is slow, watch Aldrich sprint next too him. I say pass.

He wouldn't be asked to shoot a perimeter jump shot regularly. He would play to his strengths. He's not like Brewer where he's playing out on the perimeter and is forced to take that shot much more frequently. You can be an effective center in the NBA without even taking a perimeter jump shot. Besides, it might look ugly, but from what I've seen, it's got a pretty soft touch and goes in more often than not.

And about Aldrich's speed/agility, you clearly have no idea what you are talking about. Go ahead and read the previous pages in this thread that proves all of those myths completely false. I'll just leave it at that.

 

[BENTLEY]

Aldrich wouldn't be draft for his jumpshot. He's fully aware that his value lies in defense and dirty work garbage put-backs.

Any shot from far away that he'll consistently get is a foul shot, which in this instance won't be blocked from behind (the danger with his current motion).
His FT% is 68%. He'll want to improve that but at least it ain't Shaq.

The comparison to Brewer is irrelevant. Different positions so different things are expected of them. If Brewer played the 5 there wouldn't be the same need for him to have a decent jumpshot like is needed from the 2 or the 3 to spread the floor.

 

[1-Jazzfan]

How many jump shots did you see Shaq taking and making? Not that many. When I think of Shaq, it's down inside and Hammer dunks. An outside shot is nice to keep the defender honest, but it's not a necessity for a big, or a big that's a little less big than we thought. he he

 

[jazzlurker]

I don't care what arguments you make about stat's. Aldrich is small for a center and he is slow. I watched many of his games last year, yes he looked slow, and I don't see him making an impact on this team. I can remember for almost a decade everyone complaining about Eaton and "if only we had a center that could score". The Brewer comparison is relevent because defenses will pack it in. A big slow stiff in the middle allows defenses to cover jump shooters. The fact is no matter who we draft, we will all complain. Better yet, I say draft him. We then complete the Pep Boys Trio of slow, white, stiffs: Manny Moe and Jack

 

[TheMulletMutilator]

Whoever we draft better be able to defend big adequately. It is just our luck that the Knicks couldn't have been a lot worse team. I wish right now we were talking Wall/Turner/Favors/Johnson/Cousins and not about Aldrich/Babbitt/Monroe/Whiteside. If we didn't have bad luck I guess we wouldn't have any luck.

 

[calijazz]

I don't care what arguments you make about stat's. Aldrich is small for a center and he is slow. I watched many of his games last year, yes he looked slow, and I don't see him making an impact on this team. I can remember for almost a decade everyone complaining about Eaton and "if only we had a center that could score". The Brewer comparison is relevent because defenses will pack it in. A big slow stiff in the middle allows defenses to cover jump shooters. The fact is no matter who we draft, we will all complain. Better yet, I say draft him. We then complete the Pep Boys Trio of slow, white, stiffs: Manny Moe and Jack

You were watching entirely different games than me then (or not watching them at all, which is WAY more likely). How do fast do you expect a big man to move? He doesn't need to be leading the break. Go look at how well he tested at the combine. I have proof to back up my arguments and you have none. You are making a merit less argument based on stereotypes (sadly, you have plenty of company). Pathetic.

I honestly don't even know what to make of a statement like "a big slow stiff in the middle allows defenses to cover jump shooters". How do the Lakers win championships with Bynum if that's the case (who Aldrich moves better than)? How did Shaq win all of those NBA championships (who Aldrich also moves better than)? And better yet, what the hell does that have to do Aldrich's form on his jump shot? The arguments you are making are utter garbage.