I had the pleasure of being able to sit and listen to Rich Sheubrooks for almost two hours last Friday at a work function. For those that don't know Rich, he's the Jazz' Executive Director of Global Scouting.
Rich was speaking to various leaders in our organization regarding scouting talent and what it takes to be the best. There were a few draft allusions I took from what he and the Jazz look at that I'm keeping in the back of my mind come Thursday.
1. Jazz will not draft a player who is 'selfish'. Rich talked at length about how their are four 'S' that are important in anyone you want in your organization (slow, soft, stupid, selfish). He obviously can't talk about specific prospects, but he mentioned that there was a guy in this draft that everyone agreed had an abundance of talent, but is so selfish that no team really wants him. As soon as I heard this, I couldn't help but think of Bazz. I don't think the team wants him and would pass on him if he comes to #14.
2. Rich also discussed how the world has changed where you have to look beyond your normal borders to acquire new talent. He specifically stated that in this draft, there is one international prospect that everyone is sleeping on who is going to be a great player. I'm not sure who this could be as Gobert, Nogueira, Adetokuobo, maybe even Schroeder fit the bill. What does have me convinced is that one of our two picks will be spent on someone from overseas.
All in all, it may end up amounting to nothing, but he was a wonderful speaker and you really get the sense that the Jazz will only bring in the RKG into the fold vs. a rehash of the Deshawns/Luthers of the world.