Process of elimination for me:
- Bismack Biyombo & Jonas Valanciunas have too many question marks for me at this stage (at least before the Combine)
- Kawhi Leonard & Jimmer Fredette are not #6 pick material
- Jan Vesely - with Hayward already at SG, I think having Vesely at SF would make the Jazz too 'light' at the wing.. I would prefer a physical / lock down D / slashing SF
That leaves Walker VS Knight... that's the million dollar question for me in this draft.. Walker is shorter but is a proven winner, Knight is taller, more athletic but a bit of an unknown quantity..
My head says Walker but my heart says Knight - so Knight for me.
Out of those on the poll I think I'd go with Knight. But I'm also intrigued by Biyombo.
Biyombo or Knight for me. Of the two, I'm sure Biyombo has the better rookie year. Knight might only barely be ready for rotation duty next year, which makes taking him at the 6 a little tough to stomach from a PR standpoint. He might have to sit. But you weather that storm if you really think he has a high ceiling.
Yeah, dunno about that. I'd say Knight would have a better year.
Biyombo would have to play behind Jefferson, Favors AND Millsap - can't really see him putting up that big a number. I can't really see KOC trading away any of the 3 bigs to slot Biyombo in the line up neither.
If we draft Knight, I'd say KOC would immediately sign Watson to a 2+ year deal and trade Harris. Watson would start first half of the season meanwhile grooming / mentoring Knight. Knight would probably be ready to start the 2nd half of the season.
Just my take but I'd say Knight would have a better rookie year under that situation..
I don't mind throwing Knight to the wolfs and letting him start day one. I am not sold on Harris and don't think the difference in games won would be that different over the course of the entire season. Also, I love the idea of having Favors, Hayward and Knight building chemistry from day one. The quicker they gain experience and gel the sooner the Jazz return to contention. And if it takes part of the season before they learn how to win, we benefit by getting another lottery pick to go with them.
If the Jazz go into the lottery next year and with the Golden State pick, we get two more solid players from a very strong draft in 2012. Then we should have all the pieces for a championship team in a couple of years in my opinion.
Here's a question: what if Fredette shoots up the draft board after the NBA Draft Combine and individual workouts with teams? Would people then consider taking him with the 6th pick (or whatever it ends up being) if he is available?
Bismack, roll the dice. He is the only one on that list that has elite potential.
Knight has elite potential
“First of all, he is one of the most conscientious, hard-working players I have been around,’’ said Kentucky coach John Calipari, who in recent years has sent point guards Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans and John Wall to NBA fame and fortune. “Will be in the gym at 11 o’clock at night. Will be in the training room icing his knees or his legs at 6 in the morning.‘’