Following Potential 2020 draftees

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

I agree with a lot of this. At the same time, I wouldn't just draft a guy because he's young and unproven with hopes and prayers of a future star dancing in your head. Youth doesn't necessarily mean more potential. Also it's not really a bad thing to get a solid bench guy in the 20's. So I wouldn't disqualify an older player for that reason either. Only around 20 players from each draft spend any meaningful time in the league on average. Some will be younger prospects, some will be older. Many will just be rotation guys.

One of the big things I look at is does the prospect have a skill or trait that is good enough that a team will put them on the floor early? Do they have something that allows them to fit a role? If they do then I'm intrigued no matter what the age is. If they don't then I'm not, no matter what the age is.

The two best players on our team are Gobert and Mitchell. Both were acquired in the draft. If the Jazz are going to add another star-caliber player, they're most likely to do it via the draft. I'm looking for upside, even if it comes with risk. I'm looking for guys who can really make an impact and raise the ceiling of the team, understanding that we can get rotation-caliber players via trade or free agency.

Could guys like Robert Woodard or Isaiah Stewart make it in the league? Yes, but they don't change the outlook of the team, so I'm not really interested so long as someone with more upside is on the board.

We're looking for guys with both the physical tools and the mental tools to be great.

 

[Game6Conley]

The two best players on our team are Gobert and Mitchell. Both were acquired in the draft. If the Jazz are going to add another star-caliber player, they're most likely to do it via the draft. I'm looking for upside, even if it comes with risk. I'm looking for guys who can really make an impact and raise the ceiling of the team, understanding that we can get rotation-caliber players via trade or free agency.

Could guys like Robert Woodard or Isaiah Stewart make it in the league? Yes, but they don't change the outlook of the team, so I'm not really interested so long as someone with more upside is on the board.

We're looking for guys with both the physical tools and the mental tools to be great.

Agreed

 

[homeytennis]

I noticed Thurl Bailey's son is foregoing his final two years of college eligibility to enter the draft. He averaged something like 5 ppg for Marquette. Just what the Jazz need.

 

[SCS]

The two best players on our team are Gobert and Mitchell. Both were acquired in the draft. If the Jazz are going to add another star-caliber player, they're most likely to do it via the draft. I'm looking for upside, even if it comes with risk. I'm looking for guys who can really make an impact and raise the ceiling of the team, understanding that we can get rotation-caliber players via trade or free agency.

Could guys like Robert Woodard or Isaiah Stewart make it in the league? Yes, but they don't change the outlook of the team, so I'm not really interested so long as someone with more upside is on the board.

We're looking for guys with both the physical tools and the mental tools to be great.

Yes and I agree. But what I'm saying is that if a player doesn't have a skill/trait that can potentially fill a role in a teams rotation early in their career then what is the real potential of them being a star down the road?

You see what I mean? Like I'm all for taking a shot. But it's gotta be a calculated shot.

Example... I don't see anything in Bolmaro's game that has strong likelihood of getting him into a rotation. I wouldn't shoot my shot there. But if they wanted to gamble on a guy like Pokusevski who shows a good shot form, good ball skills and good mobility at 7 feet? I'm down. Those are skills and traits that eventually fill a role. And those are things that carry potential to make him so much more than just a rotation piece.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Yes and I agree. But what I'm saying is that if a player doesn't have a skill/trait that can potentially fill a role in a teams rotation early in their career then what is the real potential of them being a star down the road?

You see what I mean? Like I'm all for taking a shot. But it's gotta be a calculated shot.

Example... I don't see anything in Bolmaro's game that has strong likelihood of getting him into a rotation. I wouldn't shoot my shot there. But if they wanted to gamble on a guy like Pokusevski who shows a good shot form, good ball skills and good mobility at 7 feet? I'm down. Those are skills and traits that eventually fill a role. And those are things that carry potential to make him so much more than just a rotation piece.

First of all, of course, you're looking for a player with upside and a foundation to build upon, not just any guy that's young or foreign. Yes, I'd be excited about drafting Pokusevski in the 18 - 22 range.

Regarding Bolmaro, we're in disagreement. What I see is potentially a 6'7" version of Ricky Rubio who can run a pick-and-roll oriented offense and score at the rim. He's got a better handle and better passing vision and timing than Gordon Hayward. He also plays with an energy and competitiveness on defense that can't be taught. His steal rate is one of the best, if not the best, in the class. (It's him or Haliburton.) He can play next to Donovan in the back court, alternate running possessions like Ingles does currently, and guard multiple players on switches once he adds some strength. When Conley leaves in a year and Ingles starts reducing his minutes, Bolmaro should be ready to start stepping in. The bet you're making with him is that he improves his shooting. That's a bet you should be willing to make considering the Jazz's training staff have been able to help guys like Hayward, Royce, Joe and Georges add 4 - 7 percentage points to their shooting. They even had Rubio hitting corner 3s at a respectable percentage for a while there, and Rubio might have been the worst shooter among guards in the entire league (not to overlook Kris Dunn).

Outside the top 20 of this draft, I don't see another player with more potential to be a starter and impact the team. If Maledon is available, and the Jazz want to go that direction, I can respect that. If they fall in love with Grant Riller, then okay. If they think they can light a fire under Jaden McDaniels, okay. If they think they can fix Paul Reed's shot or teach Tyler Bey to shoot, then maybe that's worth a try. Otherwise, I think Bolmaro makes a strong case.

(I have to say though, Vernon Carey looks like a beast.)

 

[homeytennis]

There was a good writeup over on the other page in the Deseret News about Utah State's Sam Merrill a 6'5" guard and how he caught fire late in the year and helped his team beat No. 2 San Diego State. He would probably be a late 2nd round/ UDFA pick. Also UDFA material are Boise State's Justian Jessup (beat Jimmer's conference 3 point record and RJ Williams who is somewhat of a Brantley type player.

 

[Game6Conley]

Former UNC guard Ty Lawson dropping bombs on coach Roy Williams. Quotes too spicy to even post here..

 

[SCS]

First of all, of course, you're looking for a player with upside and a foundation to build upon, not just any guy that's young or foreign. Yes, I'd be excited about drafting Pokusevski in the 18 - 22 range.

Regarding Bolmaro, we're in disagreement. What I see is potentially a 6'7" version of Ricky Rubio who can run a pick-and-roll oriented offense and score at the rim. He's got a better handle and better passing vision and timing than Gordon Hayward. He also plays with an energy and competitiveness on defense that can't be taught. His steal rate is one of the best, if not the best, in the class. (It's him or Haliburton.) He can play next to Donovan in the back court, alternate running possessions like Ingles does currently, and guard multiple players on switches once he adds some strength. When Conley leaves in a year and Ingles starts reducing his minutes, Bolmaro should be ready to start stepping in. The bet you're making with him is that he improves his shooting. That's a bet you should be willing to make considering the Jazz's training staff have been able to help guys like Hayward, Royce, Joe and Georges add 4 - 7 percentage points to their shooting. They even had Rubio hitting corner 3s at a respectable percentage for a while there, and Rubio might have been the worst shooter among guards in the entire league (not to overlook Kris Dunn).

Outside the top 20 of this draft, I don't see another player with more potential to be a starter and impact the team. If Maledon is available, and the Jazz want to go that direction, I can respect that. If they fall in love with Grant Riller, then okay. If they think they can light a fire under Jaden McDaniels, okay. If they think they can fix Paul Reed's shot or teach Tyler Bey to shoot, then maybe that's worth a try. Otherwise, I think Bolmaro makes a strong case.

(I have to say though, Vernon Carey looks like a beast.)

We just have a completely different view of Bolmaro. And that's fine.

 

[SCS]

Did anyone else listen to Chad Ford's podcast today? He released his Top 30 big board. Some interesting stuff. Sounds like some teams are high enough on Pokusevski to take him in the lottery. Teams sound split on guys like Reed, Maxey and Cole Anthony. RJ Hampton was 11 on his board, he said he's heard him as high as 8. Kira Lewis was 13 on his board. Elijah Hughes who I like and mentioned a few days ago made the top 30. Riller, Bey and Bolmaro didn't make the list.

 

[SCS]

I was thinking about this yesterday but this pandemic could impact the amount of trades in the draft this year. I think we'll see less movement. Owners won't be as quick to okay player for pick moves or straight buying picks because of the financial implications. And GM's will probably be hesitant to move up the board unless they can actually work out these guys.

 

[SCS]

Devon Dotson gets by his man with ease. He's another guy I've enjoyed watching.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I was thinking about this yesterday but this pandemic could impact the amount of trades in the draft this year. I think we'll see less movement. Owners won't be as quick to okay player for pick moves or straight buying picks because of the financial implications. And GM's will probably be hesitant to move up the board unless they can actually work out these guys.

I think more than a few teams will be selling picks this draft. Some of the owners will be in a tough spot with decline in revenue, uncertainty, and potential that the cap is dropping. FA will provide opportunities for big spenders as well. I think general activity will be way down in both draft, trade and FA... uncertainty will scare and force most to be status quo.

One situation to watch closely is Houston. I've been saying Tillman was over his head financially since he became an owner. He was afraid to go into the tax and every move they have made has had financial savings at its heart. Now his business is getting buried... he's begging the Prez for money... he's taking out high interest loans... he has two star players that make $40M+ I think there is a possibility they do a partial tear down selling one star off or maybe both if things don't recover. .