Shane Larkin to the Jazz at #14, becoming popular

[A-Train (old)]

draftexpress mock draft (updated this week):

14. Jazz - Shane Larkin

Utah is another team at a crossroads, with major decisions needed to be made with Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson and both of its starting guards entering free agency. Point guard is likely the biggest area of need at the moment, followed by shooting guard and then the frontcourt, depending on the status of Millsap and Jefferson. The team has some interesting young pieces in Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward, Enes Kanter and Alec Burks, as well as a great deal of potential cap space and draft picks to aid its cause. Larkin is considered by many to be the best point guard available at this stage of the draft, making this a relatively easy fit here.

nbadarft.net mock draft (updated today):

14. Jazz - Shane Larkin

Utah is in need of a point guard and have been linked to Larkin and it's uncertain whether they can wait to get him at the 21st pick. Larkin recorded the highest vertical leap ever at the draft combine with a 44 inch running jump. He was not far behind Trey Burke in terms of being a team leader and floor general on the college level and there are a number of scouts that actually prefer Larkin to Burke as a prospect. Larkin lacks Burke's resume and size, but shows much better isolation and separation ability off the dribble. As the son of hall of fame shortstop Barry Larkin, Shane has the pedigree to overcome a significant lack of size.

I have been the biggest Shane Larkin supporter on this board, and it is becoming more and more of a possibility that the Jazz will get him in the draft. Larkin to the Jazz at #14 over Schroeder is not a reach at all especially if nobody falls.

 

[The Thriller]

How many sub 6 feet guys have ever started and been pretty good at the nba level in the past 30 years? Just curious.

 

[David Stern]

I'm fine with Larkin at 21, but 14 is too high.

 

[A-Train (old)]

How many sub 6 feet guys have ever started and been pretty good at the nba level in the past 30 years? Just curious.

Ty Lawson
Allen Iverson
Nate Robinson
Spud Webb
Avery Johnson
Damon Stoudemire
Kemba Walker
Mugsy Bogues
Earl Boykins

Just to name a few off the top of my head..

 

[b_line]

How many sub 6 feet guys have ever started and been pretty good at the nba level in the past 30 years? Just curious.

John Stockton was not that tall. He was listed at 6 or taller, but when I watched practices at Westminster, he was shorter than guys I knew to be just over six feet. He looked about 5'11 in shoes. I don't like Larkin though, he probably sucks.

 

[The Thriller]

Ty Lawson
Allen Iverson
Nate Robinson
Spud Webb
Avery Johnson
Damon Stoudemire
Kemba Walker
Mugsy Bogues
Earl Boykins

Just to name a few off the top of my head..

Out of curiosity, just how many of those were drafted in the top 14?

Why do you assume that it's between German Steve Nash and Larkin at 14? Are there no other prospects at 14? Or are they the clear cut best prospects who have the potential to be there when we draft?

 

[A-Train (old)]

Out of curiosity, just how many of those were drafted in the top 14?

Why do you assume that it's between German Steve Nash and Larkin at 14? Are there no other prospects at 14? Or are they the clear cut best prospects who have the potential to be there when we draft?

German Steve Nash... that's a new one. Four of them were drafted top 14 and 2 others were drafted top 21. Six of the nine players were drafted in the top 21.

 

[fgcamel]

I don't care how high he can jump, at his height does it really help with anything?

 

[A-Train (old)]

I'm just trying to make people less surprised and/or pissed when the Jazz draft Larkin.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

*popular misconception

 

[mhindy]

If they want Larkin I trust their judgment but some of his limitations make me a little nervous. I also wouldn't be shocked to see us either move up or take a kind of curveball BPA prospect at 14, take a 2nd round PG, and bring in a vet as we tank giving us the option of drafting another top PG prospect next year.

 

[Revolution 9]

I'm just trying to make people less surprised and/or pissed when the Jazz draft Larkin.

At this point I wouldn't be surprised. You can tell by the interview he's a Jazz type of player.
I'll support him, but I'll be disappointed draft day. I'll just have to trust the organization that they believe this guy is a starter in this league.
It'll be a lot of pressure on those guys in the FO that fought to draft him.

 

[Qman]

Ty Lawson
Allen Iverson-most reports put him at 6'0". He also scored 20+ ppg with 4.5 assists- much better talent than Larkin.
Nate Robinson-Not really a starter- good career backup
Spud Webb-didn't see spud play much
Avery Johnson-he was carried by more talented teammates
Damon Stoudemire-a very good player is what Larkin is in best case scenario
Kemba Walker-never been on a winning team
Mugsy Bogues-never won in the playoffs
Earl Boykins-not a starter

Just to name a few off the top of my head.

I am not a fan obviously. Look at what is happening the finals- the games are getting very physical and imo Larkin doesn't have the strength to fight through the contact.

 

[Doc Cherno]

I don't care how high he can jump, at his height does it really help with anything?

He can jump over defenders listed at 44" and below. Duh.

 

[MVP]

Look at what is happening the finals- the games are getting very physical and imo Larkin doesn't have the strength to fight through the contact.

Now that is a true fan, team ( and coach) sucks, does not even make playoffs and he is worried about potential rookie's ability to play in finals. lets be honest here, Jazz are not making any finals with Corbin and team we have so far. Nothing wrong about dreaming though.

 

[jope]

I am not a fan obviously. Look at what is happening the finals- the games are getting very physical and imo Larkin doesn't have the strength to fight through the contact.

either him, or the buck-fitty german. Either way, i feel neither could guard physical pg's. Just be prepared for any pg we draft (if thats the way we go) to be a backup pg long term. I'm not expecting anything more from this draft.

 

[The Thriller]

I am not a fan obviously. Look at what is happening the finals- the games are getting very physical and imo Larkin doesn't have the strength to fight through the contact.

Look at how the NBA is moving towards bigger, faster, and stronger guards.

Larkin would be a defensive liability on most nights.
And against elite PGs, a complete abomination (imagine what Rondo, Rose, Westbrook, Parker, etc would do to him. It would be a layup drill).

As Jazz fans, do we really want this? Perhaps, the best thing to do would be to swallow our pride, reup Mo, and wait another year or two for the PG that we actually want. Just sayin. Nothing is forcing us to take an inferior prospect (like Larkin) just so we fill the need of PG.

 

[BabyPeterzz]

At this point the +/- of Schroder and Larkin are really close, IMO. I'll be happy with either, but to be completely honest I'm leaning towards Larkin.

 

[JohnnyClutch]

Burks at PG

 

[BabyPeterzz]

So now that Larkin is looking more and more like our pick (at least this early), what do you say about him coming in 2nd in ACC Defensive Player of the Year?