Oklahoma City still has no low post scorer, until they get rid of Jeff Green and put in a legit 4, they wont win a championship.
One Step Back, Two Steps Forward
- Thread starter Stifle Tower
- Start date
First of all, mental toughness is highly underrated in the NBA. Players who have the tools, the mental make-up, and the work ethic become successful players in the league. There are many examples of players who seemed physically limited, but had mental toughness and a "knack" for being in the right place and making the right play. Manu Ginobli is one of those players. Jeff Hornacek is one of those players. There are also examples of physically gifted players who don't have the vision and the IQ to play in a team concept. Ideally, you want a player who has both the physical game and the mental game, but I definitely think the Jazz fell in love with Gordon Hayward the competitor, as much as anything else.
Looking at the tapes and doing our own backseat drafting, I think a lot of people would have taken Henry, Babbit, George, Davis, and maybe Aldrich or Patterson over Hayward. If the Jazz wanted Monroe, they might have been able to make a deal with Golden State. All the other players were on the board when the Jazz drafted. Given this, I think the Jazz do know what they're trying to do.
I think the Jazz want to have someone in the back court along with D. Will who can initiate plays--someone who can handle, pass and shoot--someone who has some point guard skills. They've tried the combo-guard route in the past, but always give up too much size defensively and ability offensively. They've never had a starter-caliber player in that all-round guard position since Jeff Hornacek was here. I think that's why the Jazz went with Hayward. They could have taken Henry, but Henry is a bit one-dimensional. They could have taken George, but maybe they think that's risky and they think they get the same impact more or less with CJ Miles who improved at the end of last year. Babbit is a competent offensive player, but he can't really swing to the guard spot, which is a more rare skill...just rationalizing here.
So all in all, if it were me, I would have taken Babbit or George, but I see what the Jazz are trying to do.
Looking at the tapes and doing our own backseat drafting, I think a lot of people would have taken Henry, Babbit, George, Davis, and maybe Aldrich or Patterson over Hayward. If the Jazz wanted Monroe, they might have been able to make a deal with Golden State. All the other players were on the board when the Jazz drafted. Given this, I think the Jazz do know what they're trying to do.
I think the Jazz want to have someone in the back court along with D. Will who can initiate plays--someone who can handle, pass and shoot--someone who has some point guard skills. They've tried the combo-guard route in the past, but always give up too much size defensively and ability offensively. They've never had a starter-caliber player in that all-round guard position since Jeff Hornacek was here. I think that's why the Jazz went with Hayward. They could have taken Henry, but Henry is a bit one-dimensional. They could have taken George, but maybe they think that's risky and they think they get the same impact more or less with CJ Miles who improved at the end of last year. Babbit is a competent offensive player, but he can't really swing to the guard spot, which is a more rare skill...just rationalizing here.
So all in all, if it were me, I would have taken Babbit or George, but I see what the Jazz are trying to do.
Another thing, I think the Jazz made a good pick a couple of years ago with Ante Tomic. He could be a real factor in a year or two, if the Jazz ever get him over here.
TheMulletMutilator
Member
Tomic appears to be a valuable piece down the road, but the draft last night was a laugher. Stereotypical pick that will end up hurting us for years to come.
Wolverine Newby
New Member
I agree with you exept for the point that we didn't land us a superstar. If he continues to follow his trend in HS and Butler we just did draft a superstar. It could happen!
I think the Jazz have two options with this upcoming off-season/season:
1) Stay right around the tax threshold by not making any major moves. To me, this means letting Boozer walk, maybe re-signing Korver and bringing back Matthews and Fes. A couple more roster spots need to be added and hopefully one would be a veteran 4 or 5. In this scenario AK plays more 4 and the Jazz should be better than the '03-'04 season and may make the playoffs.
2) Make some serious moves with Boozer and AK, but only for short contracts, preferably young guys, and draft picks. I think this would result in a definitely lottery pick (top 10). Not sure fans would like to see this happen, but you have to have lottery picks if you want to seriously challenge for a title.
1) Stay right around the tax threshold by not making any major moves. To me, this means letting Boozer walk, maybe re-signing Korver and bringing back Matthews and Fes. A couple more roster spots need to be added and hopefully one would be a veteran 4 or 5. In this scenario AK plays more 4 and the Jazz should be better than the '03-'04 season and may make the playoffs.
2) Make some serious moves with Boozer and AK, but only for short contracts, preferably young guys, and draft picks. I think this would result in a definitely lottery pick (top 10). Not sure fans would like to see this happen, but you have to have lottery picks if you want to seriously challenge for a title.
