Chris
Well-Known Member
[This is gonna be a long one.]
Hey everyone -- I'm a long-time fan of the Utah Jazz from Massachusetts (yes, they make those) who has been a fan since 1992. I started following sports, and basketball in particular, with the Dream Team from 1992. I remember looking at the roster and was like, "Who is John Stockton?" What I didn't realize was that he would quickly become my favorite NBA player of all time, even though his leg injury made his impact in those Olympic games less than what it might have been. I have followed the Jazz for almost 20 years, defied logic as my friends wondered why I was a hardcore fan of such an obscure team, and nearly crapped my pants when Stock hit that game winner against the Rockets in the Western Conference Finals.
I've been a long-time lurker of this board, who enjoyed the posts, but didn't feel the need to post until now. The reason for my post is that I believe the Jazz are in a very unique position at this very moment. If the rumors are true that they are willing to trade the 3rd pick, I would be very disappointed. I was excited to see the recent update to nbadraft.net because that is exactly how I want this draft to go.
I believe that Enes Kanter has the potential to be the franchise center that we've always needed. While Mark Eaton was a great shot blocker, he wasn't much on the offensive end, and we all know about the injuries. Back when they drafted Ostertag, I was too disappointed for words, because even at that point in the 90s, it was becoming obvious that having slow white guys clogging the lane just was not the wave of the future. I liked the addition of Memo when he came to town -- I liked the range that he gave us, but he has never been a beast on the boards or a great defender/shot blocker. I also believe that Al Jefferson is playing out of position right now and would be better suited to the power forward spot. Having always lived near Boston, I was excited to see Big Al develop with the Celtics, if only for a little while. It's apparent to me that he would flourish more from playing the 4 and I believe the addition of Kanter will allow Corbin to do that. Enes Kanter, I believe, looks to have a great all-around game. He's a scoring threat, he's versatile, has range, can defend, block shots, crash the boards, alter shots, and appears to be extremely athletic. I love the story about him growing up watching Memo play for the Jazz too. If he's available at 3, I believe we have to take him.
At the 12 spot, I definitely think we should draft Jimmer Fredette. I love his game -- the shooting (obviously), the quickness (yes, I do believe a good crossover and quick move make for quickness, even at the NBA level) and the heart, work ethic, and attitude. Shooters like Jimmer who can stretch defenses like he does don't grow on trees. I don't follow college basketball all that much, and I didn't hear about Jimmer until this year. But I love what I've seen since then. I knew that I wanted the Jazz to pick him in the draft, but I was seeing him more as a 2-guard simply for his predisposition to shoot. But, I don't feel that way now; I do agree with his critics that his height will be an issue at the 2. I think he has proven his ability to pass at the college level, and with his desire and attitude, I believe that he will become a great NBA point guard who gets others involved and will drive to the hoop and hit all the outside shots that he gets. He will also improve his defense for the same reasons. I still believe that John Stockton in his prime could dominate today's NBA like he did back in the day. Even though the game continues to change, I still believe that there's a place for an average-sized white point guard who can shoot and has belief, heart, and a yeoman's work ethic. I believe that man in this draft is Jimmer. I think he's special and that he will be an exceptional player. And the fact that he's a local legend already, a Mormon, grew up idolizing Stockton, D-Will, and Steve Nash certainly doesn't hurt his likeability in Utah.
Should we draft these players, it will have been our luck that they were so undervalued. Kanter because he was declared ineligible and nobody has really seen him play (or else I believe he'd be the hands-down #1 pick) and Jimmer because nobody believes in American white guys making it in the NBA anymore. Here's what I'm hoping for roster-wise:
1: Harris, Jimmer (until he's ready to start), Price
2: Hayward, Miles, Bell
3: Millsap, AK (if he stays for short money), (Hayward)
4: Jefferson, Favors, (Kanter)
5: Kanter, Memo, Fes
I believe that this young team can jell together for the next few years, but further, I believe that this team could make some noise in the Western Conference THIS YEAR. It reminds me, and will remind others, of a college team. In today's NBA of Big Three's and people grilling free agents of the future (like Dwight Howard and Chris Paul) with questions regarding where they will end up in 2012, I think a team like the one I've listed above would be well respected for doing it the RIGHT WAY. Likeable, young, hard-working players that play together as a team. When the time comes, this young team WILL compete for a championship. I honestly do believe that.
Obviously, it's critical that, if Kanter and Jimmer don't fall to us at 3 and 12 respectively, that the Jazz brass does what it needs to do to obtain these players from the teams that draft them. If it means sending Devin Harris, Memo, or future picks out the door, then it's worth it. Building around a core of Jimmer, Hayward, Millsap, Favors, and Kanter is worth doing, in my opinion, at any price. I really would like Al Jefferson to figure into our long-term plans as well, but I think his price will be too high to keep the core I just mentioned together when it's time to re-sign Al. At that point, he will have taken the younger bigs under his wing and helped them develop. So, if we can't re-sign him, it'll be okay. I feel the same way about Memo next year. As far as AK goes, I would like to re-sign him for short money. The way I figure it is, he owes us.
Bring in Karl Malone to work with our big men, Stockton (perhaps in the summer only, since he lives in Spokane) to work with the guards. I believe this is a formula for success. I'm sad that Jerry Sloan had to leave like he did, but Tyrone Corbin's got the potential to build something really great in the next few years. I am more anxious about this draft than I was when the Jazz were choosing between Deron Williams and Chris Paul. We had our Stockton/Malone years, then we had the interim scrub team, and then D-Will/Boozer years...now it's time to move forward with this new team and show the league how to build the right team the right way.
Hey everyone -- I'm a long-time fan of the Utah Jazz from Massachusetts (yes, they make those) who has been a fan since 1992. I started following sports, and basketball in particular, with the Dream Team from 1992. I remember looking at the roster and was like, "Who is John Stockton?" What I didn't realize was that he would quickly become my favorite NBA player of all time, even though his leg injury made his impact in those Olympic games less than what it might have been. I have followed the Jazz for almost 20 years, defied logic as my friends wondered why I was a hardcore fan of such an obscure team, and nearly crapped my pants when Stock hit that game winner against the Rockets in the Western Conference Finals.
I've been a long-time lurker of this board, who enjoyed the posts, but didn't feel the need to post until now. The reason for my post is that I believe the Jazz are in a very unique position at this very moment. If the rumors are true that they are willing to trade the 3rd pick, I would be very disappointed. I was excited to see the recent update to nbadraft.net because that is exactly how I want this draft to go.
I believe that Enes Kanter has the potential to be the franchise center that we've always needed. While Mark Eaton was a great shot blocker, he wasn't much on the offensive end, and we all know about the injuries. Back when they drafted Ostertag, I was too disappointed for words, because even at that point in the 90s, it was becoming obvious that having slow white guys clogging the lane just was not the wave of the future. I liked the addition of Memo when he came to town -- I liked the range that he gave us, but he has never been a beast on the boards or a great defender/shot blocker. I also believe that Al Jefferson is playing out of position right now and would be better suited to the power forward spot. Having always lived near Boston, I was excited to see Big Al develop with the Celtics, if only for a little while. It's apparent to me that he would flourish more from playing the 4 and I believe the addition of Kanter will allow Corbin to do that. Enes Kanter, I believe, looks to have a great all-around game. He's a scoring threat, he's versatile, has range, can defend, block shots, crash the boards, alter shots, and appears to be extremely athletic. I love the story about him growing up watching Memo play for the Jazz too. If he's available at 3, I believe we have to take him.
At the 12 spot, I definitely think we should draft Jimmer Fredette. I love his game -- the shooting (obviously), the quickness (yes, I do believe a good crossover and quick move make for quickness, even at the NBA level) and the heart, work ethic, and attitude. Shooters like Jimmer who can stretch defenses like he does don't grow on trees. I don't follow college basketball all that much, and I didn't hear about Jimmer until this year. But I love what I've seen since then. I knew that I wanted the Jazz to pick him in the draft, but I was seeing him more as a 2-guard simply for his predisposition to shoot. But, I don't feel that way now; I do agree with his critics that his height will be an issue at the 2. I think he has proven his ability to pass at the college level, and with his desire and attitude, I believe that he will become a great NBA point guard who gets others involved and will drive to the hoop and hit all the outside shots that he gets. He will also improve his defense for the same reasons. I still believe that John Stockton in his prime could dominate today's NBA like he did back in the day. Even though the game continues to change, I still believe that there's a place for an average-sized white point guard who can shoot and has belief, heart, and a yeoman's work ethic. I believe that man in this draft is Jimmer. I think he's special and that he will be an exceptional player. And the fact that he's a local legend already, a Mormon, grew up idolizing Stockton, D-Will, and Steve Nash certainly doesn't hurt his likeability in Utah.
Should we draft these players, it will have been our luck that they were so undervalued. Kanter because he was declared ineligible and nobody has really seen him play (or else I believe he'd be the hands-down #1 pick) and Jimmer because nobody believes in American white guys making it in the NBA anymore. Here's what I'm hoping for roster-wise:
1: Harris, Jimmer (until he's ready to start), Price
2: Hayward, Miles, Bell
3: Millsap, AK (if he stays for short money), (Hayward)
4: Jefferson, Favors, (Kanter)
5: Kanter, Memo, Fes
I believe that this young team can jell together for the next few years, but further, I believe that this team could make some noise in the Western Conference THIS YEAR. It reminds me, and will remind others, of a college team. In today's NBA of Big Three's and people grilling free agents of the future (like Dwight Howard and Chris Paul) with questions regarding where they will end up in 2012, I think a team like the one I've listed above would be well respected for doing it the RIGHT WAY. Likeable, young, hard-working players that play together as a team. When the time comes, this young team WILL compete for a championship. I honestly do believe that.
Obviously, it's critical that, if Kanter and Jimmer don't fall to us at 3 and 12 respectively, that the Jazz brass does what it needs to do to obtain these players from the teams that draft them. If it means sending Devin Harris, Memo, or future picks out the door, then it's worth it. Building around a core of Jimmer, Hayward, Millsap, Favors, and Kanter is worth doing, in my opinion, at any price. I really would like Al Jefferson to figure into our long-term plans as well, but I think his price will be too high to keep the core I just mentioned together when it's time to re-sign Al. At that point, he will have taken the younger bigs under his wing and helped them develop. So, if we can't re-sign him, it'll be okay. I feel the same way about Memo next year. As far as AK goes, I would like to re-sign him for short money. The way I figure it is, he owes us.
Bring in Karl Malone to work with our big men, Stockton (perhaps in the summer only, since he lives in Spokane) to work with the guards. I believe this is a formula for success. I'm sad that Jerry Sloan had to leave like he did, but Tyrone Corbin's got the potential to build something really great in the next few years. I am more anxious about this draft than I was when the Jazz were choosing between Deron Williams and Chris Paul. We had our Stockton/Malone years, then we had the interim scrub team, and then D-Will/Boozer years...now it's time to move forward with this new team and show the league how to build the right team the right way.
