When I write an article or express an idea, most of the time I have
a definite idea of where I'm going, what I want to say, and even what
format I'm going to use to express it.
This time I'm not so sure.
You see, I'm not sure about who we need to draft, what position we need
to fill, and certainly not about which player is exactly right.
Some years I am, like last year, I was sold on a certain shot blocking
center. Remains to be seen if I was in the ballpark, but I'd want him
again in a heartbeat. And much as I like Ronnie Brewer, think he'll be a
great player for the Jazz, I wonder about JJ Reddick. I wonder if his
outside shooting might have been the difference down the regular season
stretch or during the finals. I wonder not because I think he'll be
another MJ or DWade, but I wonder about he would have fit in the Jazz
system. We'll never know, interesting to think about, and I'm sure
everyone has opinions about it. One thing I do know, it doesn't matter
what happened at Orlando, because that is a different town, team and
system. We'll never know how he might have or might not have fit in the
Jazz system.
Which brings me to what I'm nipping around the edges about, worrying
like an old bone Duke likes to chew on for comfort.
What position and what player do we draft?
I know the conventional thought, that we need a shot blocker and
defensive presence inside, or perhaps a three point bomber deluxe. The
recent misgivings about Andrei Kirilenko make me wonder about drafting
a wing who could possibly play both, if Andrei doesn't see the light or
gets traded.
When you actually get down to it, get personal about it, which player
fills the bill?
Aaron Gray? Devon Hardin? Sean Williams?
Marco Belinelli? Rudy Fernandez? Morris Almond? Derrick Byars? Jared
Dudley? Rodney Stuckey? Perhaps Petteri Koponen? Who?
The one thing we cannot see, regardless of position, but is by far the
most important factor in drafting a player, is how he would fit in the
Jazz system, how he develops, thrives, withers, stagnates.......
We can guess, but we don't know. Kevin O'Connor had no idea Paul Millsap
was going to be that good. I did.......Yah....I wish. I knew we had
something at the RMR, but projecting how Paul grew in the Jazz system?
No way. I thought of all the rookies, Ronnie Brewer would be getting the
significant minutes. Wrong! He will in all probability be an important
cog in the Jazz system, but it might be next year, or the year after.
The old saw is you draft the best player left when you draft, no matter
where in the draft your pick falls.
I suspect that might be someone who will make us groan, like I did when
the Jazz passed on Chris Paul. I thought Deron would be fine, but the
Jazz just missed the jackpot. Wrong again.
It all depends on who falls, who gets taken before it is seemly, who is
on the draft board after 24 picks.
If Jason Smith falls, it's a no brainer, just as if someone like Nick
Young or Thaddeus Young falls in our laps.
And I can hear the groans, but it wouldn't surprise me if Aaron Gray's
name is called on the 25th pick. He's a plodder, mechanical, not very
athletic......I know, what's his name ate him up, he's slow, yadda yadda......
But how would he fit in the Jazz system? Could he block a shot or two?
Score? Clog the middle? Most importantly, get better in our system? Does
he have toughness? The desire to improve and become a decent center?
I don't know.
Problem is, we will never know unless we draft him.....Or one of those
other guys I mentioned that could be available at the 25th pick.
Let's be honest here. The chances of getting a Michael Redd, Paul
Millsap, Manu, or Carlos Boozer are very slim.
I would be very happy with someone who first.....Can make the team.
Secondly, work hard enough so that Jerry will give him a chance. Third,
become a good role player on our team. That's all we need, a good role
player. Someone who can defend the middle, or hit three pointers from
the outside and keep the defense honest.
Morris Almond and Marco Belinelli or Rudy Fernandez would fill the bill.
But then so would Derrick Byars or Rodney Stuckey, or maybe.......
You see, you don't know for sure what you've got on draft night, unless
you draft Greg Oden. That might be a pretty good pick, I'm thinking.
I hate polls, don't even like to use them, but just who do you like for
our late first rounder?
I think it will be Aaron Gray, Morris Almond or Derrick Byars.
How about you?
|
