Following potential 2012 draftees

[Dr. Jones]

You've also got to realize that most non-Dukies hate Duke players simply for being Duke players.

I know the feeling. Having said that, Rivers was hated before he even announced his school. People saw him as selfish and a ballhogging chucker .. which he was. I believe in the kid and have been stating the same for months, but to think he didn't/doesn't have a negrep is burying your head.

 

[Jerry Lundegaard]

Chitownjazz - are there any specifics you can share that helped form your negative views on Rivers?

Sure, and it has nothing to do with anti-Duke bias as some have inferred. One of my friends is currently an asst at a high major program and recruited him, and told me several different stories about tantrums, hanging teammates out to dry, ball-hogging, etc... This was WHILE they were recruiting him, so it wasn't an issue of sour grapes. This was a few summers ago, and it was during the club circuit so the ball-hogging is normal (if anyone has ever played or watched aau/club basketball you'd know that it's not even really basketball. It's let me show what I can do in front of these coaches, F my teammates...for the most part).

I don't doubt he may have matured and become a good teammate. Then again, he's a true freshman on one of the most storied programs in college athletic history so had he taken a diva approach I think that would've been cut down very quickly by Coach K and/or his teammates.

But all that extra stuff is a small percentage on why I want the Jazz to pass. Unless he sticks around in college and completely transforms his game, he's not a point guard. He's most likely got the skill set and bball IQ/feel to be, but it's a matter of what he's most comfortable doing. The problem I see is that a bunch of combos just like him are starting to get drafted high and play prominent roles in the league. So I'm sure a team would be happy to take him with a high lotto pick. I just don't think he'd fit with the current nucleus we have.

I just want a point guard who can defend, get up and down the floor fast and be able to break down defense in the halfcourt drawing two defenders at will then distribute.

But to clarify, I think he can be a real good player in the NBA - I just don't want him on the Jazz.

 

[NUMBERICA]

You've also got to realize that most non-Dukies hate Duke players simply for being Duke players.

I actually don't but agree with you that a lot of people do for some reason I simply cannot understand.

That said, Rivers might not be the most cancerous player in the world, but in the proper circumstance seems like he could be a real problem. That, and I'm not fond of combo guards (at least not drafted in the lottery).

 

[Dr. Jones]

^^^ Good post, chi. We're hearing and seeing the same things. Having said that, we are interpreting the info a bit differently. Rivers is actually a good fit here, imo. Fast, a shooter, heady, winner .. a bit chippy.

With one pick, I pass and go SF. Two picks, yes .. all day.

 

[Jerry Lundegaard]

^^^ Good post, chi. We're hearing and seeing the same things. Having said that, we are interpreting the info a bit differently. Rivers is actually a good fit here, imo. Fast, a shooter, heady, winner .. a bit chippy.

With one pick, I pass and go SF. Two picks, yes .. all day.

I anticipate Hayward to keep improving where he will start to demand (not literally) more shots. All our bigs can/will need touches. Then we have Burks, J-Ho (who I hope sticks) and C.J on the wings as well. I just don't see how he fits - unless it becomes painfully obvious he's a better option than Burks outright. I didn't see much of Burks at CU, but I have been intrigued by what I've seen thus far.

We'll see how this season unfolds, how the draft order shakes out and who stays in college and who goes.. But depending on our 2nd pick, perhaps I'd reconsider adding him to our beloved squad.

 

[Dr. Jones]

I anticipate Hayward to keep improving where he will start to demand (not literally) more shots. All our bigs can/will need touches. Then we have Burks, J-Ho (who I hope sticks) and C.J on the wings as well. I just don't see how he fits - unless it becomes painfully obvious he's a better option than Burks outright. I didn't see much of Burks at CU, but I have been intrigued by what I've seen thus far.

We'll see how this season unfolds, how the draft order shakes out and who stays in college and who goes.. But depending on our 2nd pick, perhaps I'd reconsider adding him to our beloved squad.

With the 2nd pick we roll the dice and choose Rivers in expectation he can be a great PG. I would never draft him as a SG .. at least not by the Jazz.

 

[Hantlers]

^^^ Good post, chi. We're hearing and seeing the same things. Having said that, we are interpreting the info a bit differently. Rivers is actually a good fit here, imo. Fast, a shooter, heady, winner .. a bit chippy.

With one pick, I pass and go SF. Two picks, yes .. all day.

I agree with all of this. As to your comment towards his neg rep in HS...absolutely. And it was well deserved. He was somebody that I was very worried about coming into Duke, in fact... I didn't even think he would be a good NBA player at first, but he's changed my mind. His attitude from the beginning of the season has changed quite a bit, mostly thanks to Coach K.

 

[Dr. Jones]

I agree with all of this. As to your comment towards his neg rep in HS...absolutely. And it was well deserved. He was somebody that I was very worried about coming into Duke, in fact... I didn't even think he would be a good NBA player at first, but he's changed my mind. His attitude from the beginning of the season has changed quite a bit, mostly thanks to Coach K.

I always thought he'd be a good pro .. I was actually concerned he'd make a poor college player. Homerism, sure, but I think Cal gets much more over-productivity out of his guys than any other coach. Off topic, though.

 

[spycam1]

Weren't there a lot of concerns over whether Curry could play PG in the NBA, as well?

 

[spycam1]

I'm just imagining what this team will be like if we draft Miller and Rivers...we'd have a 6'5 PG, 6'8 SG, and a 6'9 SF. Then Favors and Kanter down low. Having a size advantage every night would be so strange as a Jazz fan...but I think I could warm up to the idea

 

[Dr. Jones]

I'm just imagining what this team will be like if we draft Miller and Rivers...we'd have a 6'5 PG, 6'8 SG, and a 6'9 SF. Then Favors and Kanter down low. Having a size advantage every night would be so strange as a Jazz fan...but I think I could warm up to the idea

and shooters in the backcourt ..

 

[Dr. Jones]

QMiller with an off day. Playing against lowly Okie State .. 7pts on 3/11 and 1/4 from three. 5rbs, 1ast, 3to's.