Zanik Draft Press Conference

[sip]

maybe not but someone in the organization might have said that they aren't tanking and will try to make the playoffs next year (which is essentially the same thing as saying they want the pick to convey next year) which could just be "coach speak" and mean nothing at all.

i wouldn't expect anyone in the organization to to tell tony that we are going to try to suck really bad next year in order to keep our pick for example.

You need to stop throwing out the word tanking. Of course the jazz aren't going to tank because they have a bunch of good players and young players that they want to develop. They also probably aren't going to go out of there way to add guys in free agency that will eat up minutes and slow the growth of our young guys.

 

[sip]

True. But we do have a clue that the experts/talking heads are saying it will be weak.

Most of these so called experts and talking heads know even less than guys on this board that like to focus on the draft. At this point to speculate on a future draft is pretty much impossible with any type of accuracy.

 

[Eddie Zero]

Most of these so called experts and talking heads know even less than guys on this board that like to focus on the draft. At this point to speculate on a future draft is pretty much impossible with any type of accuracy.

Only the one's who only do hoops ever seem to know anything. But most have way ore on the plate from pogo gold to damned if I know

 

[framer]

That last sentence is kind of a big deal. I wonder how long they feel they have before they need to prioritize winning in order to match Lauri's timeline.

I'd say the runway isn't too long. That is why they drafted guys that can already shoot.

 

[fishonjazz]

Most of these so called experts and talking heads know even less than guys on this board that like to focus on the draft. At this point to speculate on a future draft is pretty much impossible with any type of accuracy.

Guys on this board have been saying 2024 is going to be a weaker draft too. I agree that it is difficult to project with any accuracy. I was just saying that is what is being said.

 

[fishonjazz]

You need to stop throwing out the word tanking. Of course the jazz aren't going to tank because they have a bunch of good players and young players that they want to develop. They also probably aren't going to go out of there way to add guys in free agency that will eat up minutes and slow the growth of our young guys.

Ok. Then im sure that no one in the jazz organization said to toney that they hope the pick doesn't convey next year because that would be just like them saying I hope we dont win very many games next year. There ya go. Same thing but I didn't use the word that you hate.

Someone might have said to tony that the jazz are going to win as many games as possible next year and try to make the playoffs though.

 

[sip]

Guys on this board have been saying 2024 is going to be a weaker draft too. I agree that it is difficult to project with any accuracy. I was just saying that is what is being said.

If you look at the 2023 draft there were 15 guys that were taken in the 1st rd that weren't even on the 1st rd or even the draft radar at all at this time last year.

Bilal
Bufkin
Hendricks
Hawkins
JHS
Jaquez
Podz
Clowney
Murray
Prosper
Sasser
Shephard
Sensabaugh
Strawther
Brown

None of these guys were projected at 1st rd picks at this point last year and many of them weren't even on the draft radar at all.

 

[fishonjazz]

If you look at the 2023 draft there were 15 guys that were taken in the 1st rd that weren't even on the 1st rd or even the draft radar at all at this time last year.

Bilal
Bufkin
Hendricks
Hawkins
JHS
Jaquez
Podz
Clowney
Murray
Prosper
Sasser
Shephard
Sensabaugh
Strawther
Brown

None of these guys were projected at 1st rd picks at this point last year and many of them weren't even on the draft radar at all.

Yep, we agree that drafts are hard to predict. Folks still do it though.

 

[Eddie Zero]

I'd say the runway isn't too long. That is why they drafted guys that can already shoot.

Exactly, because they already have Kessler projected as a longterm starter in the middle who may or may not ever be able to reliably shoot outside a 10' set shot.
Got to have 4 spacers minimum to win in the modern nba come half court playoff grind. Whenever we have anyone on the court that cannot shoot besides him, they better be an elite slasher, or it's a recipe for failure.
Course getting stops is pretty big deal and Hendricks is the only drafted player that helps there.
I give them 2 seasons of mediocrity aka play in level and probably make the 8 seed at least once.
Then it's shuffle and contend or blow it up

 

[Eddie Zero]

If you look at the 2023 draft there were 15 guys that were taken in the 1st rd that weren't even on the 1st rd or even the draft radar at all at this time last year.

Bilal
Bufkin
Hendricks
Hawkins
JHS
Jaquez
Podz
Clowney
Murray
Prosper
Sasser
Shephard
Sensabaugh
Strawther
Brown

None of these guys were projected at 1st rd picks at this point last year and many of them weren't even on the draft radar at all.

most of whom were on the path to being drafted, but not spoken about by any of the same media heads you were complaining about not knowing anything lol
Probably because they had never even heard of them.
Trust me plenty of bb heads knew about Jamie, OMax and Marcus as potential late first typs, and a couple seemed to see a path for Hendricks and JHS as first round level types.
The biggest risers were increased usage 2nd yr guys like Hawkins and Bufkin than noone noticed until they got the gig.
I am not sold Clowney, Brown or Strawther had any business being drafted that early imo.
I also think Bilal could be just another longshot that should have gone 2nd overall or never gotten first round looks at all. nobody knows for sure yet.

 

[cowhide]

Because everyone argued all draft process about how much upside Hendricks had relative to the other top prospects. Everyone just a bit bummed we had to settle for the scraps.

And again, Udoka was ranked on an analytics board, not an actual board.

How can you call him scraps when he went where many predicted. It is not so easy to move up and besides the fact that most of the players from 2 to 9 have issues. I just think many people are always going to be disappointed no matter who we draft if it isn't the guy they wanted. I will wait and see how our new players play and I hope they all do well regardless if I didn't like the pick. FYI I was super happy about our other two picks. but I am rooting for them.

 

[cowhide]

Exactly, because they already have Kessler projected as a longterm starter in the middle who may or may not ever be able to reliably shoot outside a 10' set shot.
Got to have 4 spacers minimum to win in the modern nba come half court playoff grind. Whenever we have anyone on the court that cannot shoot besides him, they better be an elite slasher, or it's a recipe for failure.
Course getting stops is pretty big deal and Hendricks is the only drafted player that helps there.
I give them 2 seasons of mediocrity aka play in level and probably make the 8 seed at least once.
Then it's shuffle and contend or blow it up

You make adjustments along the way. Jazz have lots of pluses like cap space, several picks and now young developing players. Teams all have a few rough years as they have to rebuild even the Lakers and Celtics. If the Jazz get a solid FA and 2 of the rookies fiind a role and we have improvement from last year guys, I definitely think the Jazz can make the playoffs next year.

 

[Eddie Zero]

How can you call him scraps when he went where many predicted. It is not so easy to move up and besides the fact that most of the players from 2 to 9 have issues. I just think many people are always going to be disappointed no matter who we draft if it isn't the guy they wanted. I will wait and see how our new players play and I hope they all do well regardless if I didn't like the pick. FYI I was super happy about our other two picks. but I am rooting for them.

lol we were going to move up for Hendricks until Jarace fell because Auser went 5 and Black got overpicked. Then it was simple. Wait for Bilal or Hendricks- one was falling and if if neither were there after 7 or 8 then Jarace was. Danny had it covered, he had it all covered regarding the 1st selection. But he failed to drive JHS to NOP so we could get Hawkins at 16 damn him lol

 

[sip]

Yep, we agree that drafts are hard to predict. Folks still do it though.

Of course guys predict stuff but that doesn't mean that they are any good at it. The good news for us is we only have to predict the depth of the top 10 for next year and most of the time the majority of the top 10 is made up of known elite high school prospects. If you look at the 2024 draft the top 14 in current mocks looks really solid.

 

[Eddie Zero]

You make adjustments along the way. Jazz have lots of pluses like cap space, several picks and now young developing players. Teams all have a few rough years as they have to rebuild even the Lakers and Celtics. If the Jazz get a solid FA and 2 of the rookies fiind a role and we have improvement from last year guys, I definitely think the Jazz can make the playoffs next year.

sure fringe playoff team next season play in seems possible, and the next season as well esp with veteran additions or massive player development.
Overall by 24-25 we need to be ready to add a key fa or trade for a premier player, or not need to and are contenders by simply adding some role players.
It's a fast retool, and a long shot but not impossible to see it.

 

[fishonjazz]

Exactly, because they already have Kessler projected as a longterm starter in the middle who may or may not ever be able to reliably shoot outside a 10' set shot.
Got to have 4 spacers minimum to win in the modern nba come half court playoff grind. Whenever we have anyone on the court that cannot shoot besides him, they better be an elite slasher, or it's a recipe for failure.
Course getting stops is pretty big deal and Hendricks is the only drafted player that helps there.
I give them 2 seasons of mediocrity aka play in level and probably make the 8 seed at least once.
Then it's shuffle and contend or blow it up

Good post

 

[framer]

How can you call him scraps when he went where many predicted. It is not so easy to move up and besides the fact that most of the players from 2 to 9 have issues. I just think many people are always going to be disappointed no matter who we draft if it isn't the guy they wanted. I will wait and see how our new players play and I hope they all do well regardless if I didn't like the pick. FYI I was super happy about our other two picks. but I am rooting for them.

It actually would have been Hella easy to move up. The Jazz had the resources to do so. They just made the calculation that the difference between Hendricks and the target wasn't worth the resources. Hendricks + George > Walker or Black individually.

 

[underdog]

I'd say the runway isn't too long. That is why they drafted guys that can already shoot.

Right, and in general they drafted players who could be ready sooner than some other prospects. But it's going to take time. I hope at least one of them would be ready enough in 2-3 years when the Jazz could hopefully be a contender (if Ainge manages to find the right pieces).

 

[JazzFever]

I really, really don’t understand the skepticism- y’all watched this team last year right? They’re allergic to losing.

Seriously as was said earlier, it’s Denver and everyone else with Utah having solid 4 starters and a returning all star with assets and cap space to easily address our holes. There is zero chance minus injuries we retain our pick and we could get a top 3 seed depending on who we trade for or add via free agency.

Their floor is high because their D is going te be ferocious, it’s more about figuring out what the ceiling is.

 

[TheStormofWar]

I really, really don’t understand the skepticism- y’all watched this team last year right? They’re allergic to losing.

Seriously as was said earlier, it’s Denver and everyone else with Utah having solid 4 starters and a returning all star with assets and cap space to easily address our holes. There is zero chance minus injuries we retain our pick and we could get a top 3 seed depending on who we trade for or add via free agency.

Their floor is high because their D is going te be ferocious, it’s more about figuring out what the ceiling is.

Last year's team had Conley and Clarkson commanding the tank. Not so much this year, I think. That said, Utah now has a boatload of young talent and cap, a returning AS/All-NBA guy, and Kessler will be fresh off his stint on Team USA. It's possible they fight for a Play-in, but OKC, Houston, and San Antonio will all be improved. I suspect Portland takes a step back and I think Minne gets treads water unless they deal KAT. Of the potential deals that may happen for a star, I don't really see any that scream "go get him" unless Luka decides to bolt. I think 30 to 35 wins is reasonable, but it won't have that same magic as last year. Rather, I think it'd be preferable to just play the snot out of the kids, let them learn and make mistakes, and Hardy do this thing. If he's as good as development as I believe he is, Utah will be very good very shortly and on a more sustainable path than trading for the "Flavored Milk of the Month" that's two days passed expiration. Besides, Ainge just does not operate on trading for older stars unless it makes sense.