ESPN INSIDER Lottery draft guide: Jazz must build around Favors

[sgjazzfan]

This is where we differ. I see Gordon's real value and upside as the 3. A frontcourt of Favors and A. Gordon would be athletic, sure, but very undersized. At PF , gordon is just shy of 6'8 (w/o shoes), and at C, Favors is just shy of 6'9" (w/o shoes). Also, I'm not sure you are utilizing A. Gordon's true offensive weapons--which are his front to the basket game, and ball handling. I feel like A. Gordon necessitates Kanter, because you will need the consistent shooting.



Also, Kanter is pretty athletic for his size, and at 6'10" w/o shoes), 6'11.25" (w/ shoes) should probably be the C in that lineup. Like:

Kanter - C w/ help D from Favors
Favors - PF - w/ help D. From A. Gordon, and Kanteretc.
A. Gordon - SF w/ help from Favors and Kanter on leakers and Hayward on his man when A. Gordon himself rotates, etc.



As good as Favors is defensively, he performed below expectations at the C last year, and that was because he was A. undersized, and B. paired next to a smaller 4 in Marvin Williams (who is an excellent defender at the 3), and RJ at the 3 who was a non-defender. Why repeat the shortcomings of last year, while taking away Marvin's stretch capabilities? Gordon at the 3, or the value drops significantly.

Exactly. Gordon is too light and short to play defense in the post against NBA PF. He is also short for a PF and has no back to the basket game. He might not be able to shoot but would be great at offensive rebounds/slashing. He has the chance to be an elite defender at the 3, where it is toughest to find a good defender with Lebron, Durant, George, Anthony, possibly Wiggins and Parker too as offensive powerhouses. I like the idea of Kanter playing out to the 3 point line to stretch the D (if he does have the ability to make nba 3 pointers) with Favors as post and Gordon slashing.