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Following potential 2015 draftees

The more I think about Hezonja, the more I like him. Seems to be the best athlete among the wings in the lottery and to have the most star potential. Also like that he would be somewhat NBA ready given his experience in Europe.

His experience is kind of limited in Europe and his NBA-readiness is up for debate. He's barely ready for Europe basketball, he's playing less than Exum, for example(12 MPG, by new year's eve Exum would have played more minutes for the Jazz than Hezonja would for Barcelona in last 2 years).
 
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The more I think about Hezonja, the more I like him. Seems to be the best athlete among the wings in the lottery and to have the most star potential. Also like that he would be somewhat NBA ready given his experience in Europe.

Stitches is right about this one, he hasn't really cracked the rotation.

Haven't seen Winslow play much, but for sure more athletic than Johnson. Johnson is more power. Hezonja is pretty athletic.

What is athletic for you? Verticality only? I define athletic as the whole package of quickness, verticality, lateral movement, foot speed and what you call "power". I don't think Hezonja's verticality matches Winslow's. But looking at the whole package he has a lot to offer and he's very "athletic for a white guy" if I'm allowed to speak in stereotypes.

His experience is kind of limited in Europe and his NBA-readiness is up for debate. He's barely ready for Europe basketball, he's playing less than Exum, for example(12 MPG, by new year's eve Exum would have played more minutes for the Jazz than Hezonja would for Barcelona in last 2 years).

100% agree. Stitches knows Europe! And numbers.
 
His experience is kind of limited in Europe and his NBA-readiness is up for debate. He's barely ready for Europe basketball, he's playing less than Exum, for example(12 MPG, by new year's eve Exum would have played more minutes for the Jazz than Hezonja would for Barcelona in last 2 years).

Exum is only gettting minutes becuase he is a part of the "future".

Hezonja is cracking a rotation on one of the best European teams is way more significant since he isn't a part of their future and him getting PT is actually because they think he helps them.
 
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Exum is only gettting minutes becuase he is a part of the "future".

Hezonja is cracking a rotation on one of the best European teams is way more significant since he isn't a part of their future and him getting PT is actually because they think he is the best.

You have a point about Exum and his playing time(he looks more and more raw to me with every game, if that's possible). And to think that a lot of people actually want him to start, only tells you just how bad Trey has been.

About Hezonja - ya, it seems like he's starting to crack the rotation, but I would still say his experience is very limited. Lets hope he gets to play more and more and our scouts get the chance to do some nice scouting before the draft.

Here's another article about Hezonja, btw:

https://euroleagueadventures.com/mario-hezonja-the-devil-is-in-the-defense/

And a couple of tweets about his latest game, info about Porzingis and Hernangomez(who is 20) included:

Jonathan Givony ‏@DraftExpress Dec 7

29 pts (11/16 2P), 13 rebounds for Wily Hernangomez. 13+6 for Porzingis in 24 min. 6 pts (3/7 FG) for Hezonja. Huge 11-point win for Seville
Rafael Uehara ‏@rafael_uehara Dec 7

Hezonja did all his scoring in this game in garbage time; a couple of alley-oops and catch&shoots. Not as telling as the game vs Milano.

In other news, according to Greek media Aleksandar Vezenkov has entered into negotiations with Wasserman Media Group for representation on the US and NBA markets. It is expected for them to reach agreement by the end of next week and for Vezenkov to declare for the 2015 draft. He is averaging 16.7PPG, 8.6RPG, 1.6APG in 34MPG for Aris in the Greek league. He's also shooting 48% from 3.
 
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Karl Towns (last night)

23 minutes
19pts
9rbs
4blks
1/1 from 3

[video]https://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:11996233

Is his offensive repertoire limited to just alley oops and put back dunks at this point in his short college career?
 
i want towns so bad...

Don't do it. You fall in love with one of these prospects then you'll be slashing your wrists because some lottery balls don't bounce the right way and feeling gastrinal distress for the next 10-12 seasons as you watch him play well for another team. Just avoid all of the stress, wait until draft night for the Jazz to tell you what you need to know about their guy.
 
Exum is only gettting minutes becuase he is a part of the "future".

Hezonja is cracking a rotation on one of the best European teams is way more significant since he isn't a part of their future and him getting PT is actually because they think he helps them.

He is part of their reputation and part of their financial future. However a high profile prospect like Hezonja develops at Barcelona will reflect on their player development and they like every other team competing for the European crown of basketball absolutely need high level recruits. And an extra 3 Million from a buyout won't hurt as well.

Don't do it. You fall in love with one of these prospects then you'll be slashing your wrists because some lottery balls don't bounce the right way and feeling gastrinal distress for the next 10-12 seasons as you watch him play well for another team. Just avoid all of the stress, wait until draft night for the Jazz to tell you what you need to know about their guy.

Small market blues?
And people saying Utah Jazz wasn't a fitting name...
 
there seems to be something to love and hate about all the players in this draft

okafor - great offense passive defense. might be ok with Gobert if Gobert continues to develope. favors has shown he can't make up for a partners lack of defense. another big issue is with okafor the jazz still have a porous exterior defense. right now I would pass on okafor

towns - seems to do well defensively but offense is still a work in progress. I think he would be great with favors. interior offense would but not as good but an upgrade defensively. I see towns having a brighter future than kanter. I would take towns #1

mudiay - he is interesting but eventually the jazz will have to declare a future pg for the jazz. I think median and exum could coexist but I think mudiay bolts first chance he gets. his decision to play in china boggles my mind. personally I want to put players around exum to make him successful and I don't see mudiay being that.

Winslow - love his defense and his offense has come along. his shot seems ok and should get more consistent. I think he would do well with Hayward at the 2 and Winslow at the 3 forcing burks back to the bench is perfect for me. I could live with Winslow but, sorry hantlers, I don't trust duke players.

hezonja - I have a love hate relation. I hate to love him. he has the cocky attitude a dominate scorer needs. he can do it all over the court. I worry about how he will mess with nba egos. his game reminds me a little of petrovic. I reserve the right to watch him a little more

porzingis - see above. I like him a lot and he is a mismatch every time he steps on the floor but I don't see a killer instinct in him. he has serious upside but I want more of a sure thing. he is so skinny and has seriously narrow shoulders. dang it I like him though

Johnson - I am a huge Johnson fan. more then anyone else mentioned he has the "it" factor. he can be an alpha dog. his shot is flat and he had no middle game but seems to have the drive to get better. players like him makes those around them better just with their attitude.

oubre - I said it earlier and I am saying it again stay away. he could have a nick young type of career or jr smith. explode scoring 1 night but then vanish but never give anything else to the team. a pure volume scorer.

looney - was a fan going in to the season and he hasn't disappointed. he needs to gain strength to be effective. he is another upside pick. is he a 4 or a 3? that is what is hurting him now.

wcs - is the wild pick. reminds me of Tyson chandler more then anyone I have seen. probably will lead the nba in block shots in his career. has some crazy to him but a good kind.

Myles turner - was very hot on but have cooled lately. great defense but no offense. I still think a stretch 4 would be a good spot for him. [suck it cy 8-)] upside pick

Lavert - I am falling in love with. I like how he was not going to let Michigan lose (they did but not because of him). could be a solid defender with a good shooting stroke. if the jazz for some reason see themselves this far down in the draft take a long look here.

kaminsky - is a great stretch big with a beautiful stroke. would not mind the jazz getting another pick and taking him. plays decent d and plays on one of the slowest teams in college basketball.
 
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