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Following potential 2013 draftees

I am liking Adonis Thomas more and more. Seems to have a good attitude and works hard. Realizes what he needs to improve to make it at the next level. Doesn't mind playing defense either.

I've always liked Adonis. He's a bit of a tweener right now based on his current skillset. He's not quite skilled enough for the 2 (I'm being a bit generous) and he's undersized for the 3. Unfortunately, I'm not sure we'll see him progress very much under a still new (yet promising) coach in Josh Pastner. None of Josh' 5star players have progressed to this point and are, in fact, all under-performing. That leaves room to improve in the future, but is also invaluable development time lost.
 
I like Adonis as well. He's athletic, hustles, good defender, can post up a bit, and has actually turned into a good shooter (shot 41% from 3 as a freshman).
 
I just want to get this out there so that everyone knows where "orange" stands as far as a draft pick is concerned.


I want a legit SF that can play above average defense and has some sort of an offensive game that the other team has to respect in some way shape or form. That offensive game can be as a slasher (as long as they can finish at the rim consistently), a shooter or someone that can get to the basket due to their own abilities and skills.

My reasoning behind this is because Hayward can play a mix of the 2/3 positions. Burks can be solid at the 2 and if we can draft a true SF that has the aforementioned abilities that I just listed then the Jazz would have a solid 2/3 rotation that can grow together. Hayward has proven that he can defend at a respectable level. Burks has the physical attributes to do so (I just hope that he uses his mind to want to play good defense) and if you can draft someone that has good defensive attributes. Add the fact that Favors is sitting behind those three and suddenly you have the workings of a team that could realistically be defensive oriented enough to get someone in the league.

If Poythress is that guy then I will be happy (I believe that he has all of those abilities that I "require"). If it is the Wes-man-crush-himself Tony Mitchell then I will be happy. If it is Adonis Thomas then I will be happy. If it someone else that realy makes a name foe themselves this year ala Kawhi Leonard then I will be happy. Do you see where I am going with this?

I am a little worried that this fan base is so PG oriented because of the talent that has played in "Swat Lake City" that they will instead want to reach for a PG that will never reach those same heights while we complain or let slip through our fingers a player that can really help this team get to the next level defensively.

One last thought before I step down from the pulpit, the offense was not the problem last year. I am tired of hearing people say, "If we trade Al or Millsap then where will the offense come from?" The Jazz have guys on the team that can score. What the Jazz have been struggling with is stopping anyone for scoring. Yes, Al scores a lot and he also blocked more shots on a per minute basis last year than Favors. So WHAT?? He also had players with abilities that ranged from the Elite to the Bums of the NBA that scored on him. Let's focus on defense. We can always find a way to put the ball into the basket. What we can't always find is a team of guys that is so committed to defense (and actually have the ability to do so) that other teams struggle to score.

/stepping down
 
Good post, gello.

Let's say, hypothetically, that we pick around 8 or 9.. I don't see us reaching for a PG. In addition to the SF's you have mentioned, we should be watching Reggie Bullock (a bit undersized, but strong and a deadly shooter) and LeBryan Nash (a bit of a mental turd, but an elite athlete and a terror to defend).
 
Good post, gello.

Let's say, hypothetically, that we pick around 8 or 9.. I don't see us reaching for a PG. In addition to the SF's you have mentioned, we should be watching Reggie Bullock (a bit undersized, but strong and a deadly shooter) and LeBryan Nash (a bit of a mental turd, but an elite athlete and a terror to defend).

How are both of those guys defensively? What schools are they playing for? If i remember right Nash plays for OK State right?

I still like the CJ Leslie idea. I think that he can be had in the mid to late teens though.
 
How are both of those guys defensively? What schools are they playing for? If i remember right Nash plays for OK State right?

I still like the CJ Leslie idea. I think that he can be had in the mid to late teens though.

Bullock is UNC. He's a really good player all around, just a tad short. Leslie is better than he's being projected.. he's been horribly under-coached and misused. (I don't care to expound on that)
 
I'm all down for Gello's SF requirements, and I think there are a few in the draft that might fit that criteria, but if one of the PG's really steps up, then I'd want the PG. That's the position I'm most worried about in terms of the future.
 
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