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Takes on the 1st and 2nd-year players....and progress if there happens to be any

Ferguson_Mellochill

Well-Known Member
2019 Prediction Contest Winner
I'm having a hard time getting too excited about our young players at the moment. I think they're rotational guys, and a few might be starters, but I'm not seeing bonafide stars at this point.
  • Taylor Hendricks remains in the Dorian Finney-Smith archetype. He's fine as a 3D guy with NBA length, who likely fits in as the 5th - 7th guy on a playoff team. He's not much of a roller, slasher or scorer.
  • Brice Sensabaugh did some really nice things as an isolation scorer and self-creator at Ohio State, but he's looking more like Aaron Nesmith vs. NBA size, speed and physicality. He has value as a confident shooter.
  • Keyonte is a talented scorer, but I don't think he's the guy who runs your team or leads your team like he may think he is. He might be in the same ballpark as Reggie Jackson.
  • Cody Williams has some really nice tools, shows good timing on defensive plays, and is a crisp passer. The question will be whether he's aggressive enough about his career to add the toughness and physicality he needs to have a real impact. He lacks physical presence, he avoids contact, and he defers a lot at this stage.
  • Filipowski is interesting as a complementary big who does a bit of everything, but he needs to fit into a more developed team concept in order to add value.
 
Pretty underwhelming overall. Nice dudes and possibly NBA players, but that's it.

My take is Lauri needs to be traded. This team won't be any good unless it tanks hard few years or sell it's assets for talent. The latter won't be wise at this time. Lauri gone next summer.
 
I'm having a hard time getting too excited about our young players at the moment. I think they're rotational guys, and a few might be starters, but I'm not seeing bonafide stars at this point.
  • Taylor Hendricks remains in the Dorian Finney-Smith archetype. He's fine as a 3D guy with NBA length, who likely fits in as the 5th - 7th guy on a playoff team. He's not much of a roller, slasher or scorer.
  • Brice Sensabaugh did some really nice things as an isolation scorer and self-creator at Ohio State, but he's looking more like Aaron Nesmith vs. NBA size, speed and physicality. He has value as a confident shooter.
  • Keyonte is a talented scorer, but I don't think he's the guy who runs your team or leads your team like he may think he is. He might be in the same ballpark as Reggie Jackson.
  • Cody Williams has some really nice tools, shows good timing on defensive plays, and is a crisp passer. The question will be whether he's aggressive enough about his career to add the toughness and physicality he needs to have a real impact. He lacks physical presence, he avoids contact, and he defers a lot at this stage.
  • Filipowski is interesting as a complementary big who does a bit of everything, but he needs to fit into a more developed team concept in order to add value.
When I challenged Danny Ainges draft record during the winter there was a lot of pushback. But clearly i am not the only one who doesnt see a ton of All Stars from the last 2 drafts for the Jazz. Bummer really.
 
When I challenged Danny Ainges draft record during the winter there was a lot of pushback. But clearly i am not the only one who doesnt see a ton of All Stars from the last 2 drafts for the Jazz. Bummer really.
I see roleplayers but their highest pick was Hendricks at #9. The draft is such a crapshoot especially if you aren't picking in the top half of the lottery. Not to mention outside of Wemby there really weren't superstar ceiling talents available the last 2 years. Occasionally a Donovan Mitchell or Rudy Gobert type would slip but Ainge hasn't caught that type of lightning in a bottle mainly because that type of talent just hasn't been available to them.

It is what it is..Jazz desperately need to get lucky in either/both of the next 2 drafts.
 
The drafting has been abysmal. No other way to say it.
Who would you have picked in the same slots the past 2 drafts? I'm not in the mood to defend Ainge but it's not like he passed on any major difference makers. A few nice prospects got picked just ahead of the Jazz picks. Jaquez and Podz both got drafted after Keyonte but in the big picture those guys don't really lift the ceiling of this current team.
 
Who would you have picked in the same slots the past 2 drafts? I'm not in the mood to defend Ainge but it's not like he passed on any major difference makers. A few nice prospects got picked just ahead of the Jazz picks. Jaquez and Podz both got drafted after Keyonte but in the big picture those guys don't really lift the ceiling of this current team.
Cam Whitmore is definitely one someone could argue
 
I don't necessarily disagree too much, but getting rotation players in the draft is still great. Our guys are all still super young as well, so there is still a lot of growth potential.

I can't help, but imagine who I think Dylan Harper becomes in the league and how that could tie a lot of our pieces together. We still need, "the guy", but if we find him he's going to have a great supporting cast, ready to go.
 
I'm having a hard time getting too excited about our young players at the moment. I think they're rotational guys, and a few might be starters, but I'm not seeing bonafide stars at this point.
  • Taylor Hendricks remains in the Dorian Finney-Smith archetype. He's fine as a 3D guy with NBA length, who likely fits in as the 5th - 7th guy on a playoff team. He's not much of a roller, slasher or scorer.
  • Brice Sensabaugh did some really nice things as an isolation scorer and self-creator at Ohio State, but he's looking more like Aaron Nesmith vs. NBA size, speed and physicality. He has value as a confident shooter.
  • Keyonte is a talented scorer, but I don't think he's the guy who runs your team or leads your team like he may think he is. He might be in the same ballpark as Reggie Jackson.
  • Cody Williams has some really nice tools, shows good timing on defensive plays, and is a crisp passer. The question will be whether he's aggressive enough about his career to add the toughness and physicality he needs to have a real impact. He lacks physical presence, he avoids contact, and he defers a lot at this stage.
  • Filipowski is interesting as a complementary big who does a bit of everything, but he needs to fit into a more developed team concept in order to add value.
Frankly I couldn’t give a damn about these prospects right now. All I care about are piling on losses. For the next three years.
 
When I challenged Danny Ainges draft record during the winter there was a lot of pushback. But clearly i am not the only one who doesnt see a ton of All Stars from the last 2 drafts for the Jazz. Bummer really.
How many all stars are you expecting to acquire per draft? Quite the bar!


I haven’t seen anything from these dudes, but someone tell me who the picks at those spots should have been that would have you feeling differently today.


The drafting has been abysmal. No other way to say it.

This thread seems disingenuous as hell.
 
Keyonte - Likely low end starter, 6th man type of guy. The standard for being an NBA PG is really high. Darius Garland is about the level of an average, starting PG and I think that would be near the very high end of outcomes for him. Realistically, he’s probably more of a lower third starting PG in the same vein as DLO or have a career as a 6th man like Monk or Clarkson. I don’t really care about PG/SG….but I think his on ball/off ball mix is too tilted towards being an on ball player. It has to be that way, however, as we are very deficient in ball handling. I think his offense will improve but his defense is likely to be terrible. Don’t think he will flame out but is also unlikely to be an above average starter.

Hendricks - Likely role player, low potential. He will probably be a good defender. I would feel comfortable saying he already is. I think he will be a versatile defender who is a B+ or A- in several roles. If his activity level was more consistent, I’d say he could be a great defender or even beyond that. But his activity level goes up and down. Offensively, I’ve somewhat given up hope that he will be a volume 3 point shooter and I never bought into the idea of him as some kind of rim runner. He’ll probably be a KCP/DFS stand around, passable-ish shooter kind of offensive player. Will be in the league a long time.

Sensabaugh - Has some of the makings of a decent complimentary player. The playmaking stuff looks terrible but it’s somewhat encouraging that the coaching staff believes in that part of his game. Needs to prove he can actually make these shots, but decent volume 3 point shooter. Defense has improved a lot, will still probably be bad. He can maybe cut it as a poor man’s Bogey type of player. High level shooter with a pinch of iso ability….but he’s far away. Jury is still out on whether or not he’s a player at all.

Cody - Similar to Hendricks, likely role player and low potential….but for different reasons. His versatility shows on the offensive end. A little bit of shooting, ball handling, passing, and scoring. He can be ok at all of these things but likely not great. Best skill is his finishing and seems to be a smart player. On ball defense looks promising, but doesn’t do anything else on defense. No presence unless he’s directly on the ball. Think he could be something like current day Exum. A decent player who fills in the gaps on offense and guards on the ball well. It’s very early though, physical development will be important. Could be a Batum like player, but he’s likely too passive for that.

Collier - Decent ball handling and playmaking, very worrying ability to put the ball in the basket. He has no jumper and no touch/craft around the basket. Right now he has to bully ball and pray for FT’s. Some of it can be improve, but a large part is lack of vertical ability. His defense is better than people said….good effort and is a playmaker on that end. Decision making is ok for a rookie but needs to improve. Probably not an NBA player until he can figure out a way to be more of a scoring threat. Decent potential, however, if he can figure out a way to threaten as a scorer. It would open up his playmaking a ton.

Flip - Great passer, also needs to find a way to put the ball in the hoop. Has to be able to make open shots or score around the paint. Neither was that great in college. Does not seem to have NBA big man ability, so probably more of a 4man at this point but he can improve. I think his skillset is much more enticing if you can have him play as a lone big. Defensive feet are pretty good. Can find a way to be a useful off the bench big similar to Olynyk. Unlikely to be more than that though.
 
Zanick already said what almost anyone always knew: Jazz need better draft positioning to chase an MVP candidate level dude.
He admitted they knew it all along. And he admitted they are developing young role talent that won't win anything as it is.
However, no one is explaining why did they waste last 2 seasons.
I guess Zanick knows basketball better than me, so I take his word for valid: we've got just role young players.
 
Keyonte - Likely low end starter, 6th man type of guy. The standard for being an NBA PG is really high. Darius Garland is about the level of an average, starting PG and I think that would be near the very high end of outcomes for him. Realistically, he’s probably more of a lower third starting PG in the same vein as DLO or have a career as a 6th man like Monk or Clarkson. I don’t really care about PG/SG….but I think his on ball/off ball mix is too tilted towards being an on ball player. It has to be that way, however, as we are very deficient in ball handling. I think his offense will improve but his defense is likely to be terrible. Don’t think he will flame out but is also unlikely to be an above average starter.

Hendricks - Likely role player, low potential. He will probably be a good defender. I would feel comfortable saying he already is. I think he will be a versatile defender who is a B+ or A- in several roles. If his activity level was more consistent, I’d say he could be a great defender or even beyond that. But his activity level goes up and down. Offensively, I’ve somewhat given up hope that he will be a volume 3 point shooter and I never bought into the idea of him as some kind of rim runner. He’ll probably be a KCP/DFS stand around, passable-ish shooter kind of offensive player. Will be in the league a long time.

Sensabaugh - Has some of the makings of a decent complimentary player. The playmaking stuff looks terrible but it’s somewhat encouraging that the coaching staff believes in that part of his game. Needs to prove he can actually make these shots, but decent volume 3 point shooter. Defense has improved a lot, will still probably be bad. He can maybe cut it as a poor man’s Bogey type of player. High level shooter with a pinch of iso ability….but he’s far away. Jury is still out on whether or not he’s a player at all.

Cody - Similar to Hendricks, likely role player and low potential….but for different reasons. His versatility shows on the offensive end. A little bit of shooting, ball handling, passing, and scoring. He can be ok at all of these things but likely not great. Best skill is his finishing and seems to be a smart player. On ball defense looks promising, but doesn’t do anything else on defense. No presence unless he’s directly on the ball. Think he could be something like current day Exum. A decent player who fills in the gaps on offense and guards on the ball well. It’s very early though, physical development will be important. Could be a Batum like player, but he’s likely too passive for that.

Collier - Decent ball handling and playmaking, very worrying ability to put the ball in the basket. He has no jumper and no touch/craft around the basket. Right now he has to bully ball and pray for FT’s. Some of it can be improve, but a large part is lack of vertical ability. His defense is better than people said….good effort and is a playmaker on that end. Decision making is ok for a rookie but needs to improve. Probably not an NBA player until he can figure out a way to be more of a scoring threat. Decent potential, however, if he can figure out a way to threaten as a scorer. It would open up his playmaking a ton.

Flip - Great passer, also needs to find a way to put the ball in the hoop. Has to be able to make open shots or score around the paint. Neither was that great in college. Does not seem to have NBA big man ability, so probably more of a 4man at this point but he can improve. I think his skillset is much more enticing if you can have him play as a lone big. Defensive feet are pretty good. Can find a way to be a useful off the bench big similar to Olynyk. Unlikely to be more than that though.
Nice job. Kudos.
 
I was concerned last season when Tay Henny and Sensabaugh were called up and the Stars went on a tear. I doubt that any of the three will progress beyond NBA role player.
 
Zanick already said what almost anyone always knew: Jazz need better draft positioning to chase an MVP candidate level dude.
He admitted they knew it all along. And he admitted they are developing young role talent that won't win anything as it is.
However, no one is explaining why did they waste last 2 seasons.
I guess Zanick knows basketball better than me, so I take his word for valid: we've got just role young players.
The only for sure MVP player last two drafts is Wemby
After that everybody else is questionable
Every NBA team has had to guess who may be great last two drafts
 
The only for sure MVP player last two drafts is Wemby
After that everybody else is questionable
Every NBA team has had to guess who may be great last two drafts
And Jazz FO decided to pass on chances to try to get VW, or to simply get better draft assets... which appears to be odd given what Zanick clearly admitted.
 
So far it's looking like Danny dumped two superstars in their prime to build around:

Keyonte George - Trey Burke
Cody Williams - Dante Exum / Tony Snell
Brice Sensabaugh - Taller THT
Taylor Hendricks - Rob Covington
 
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