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Chad Ford's Mock Draft 8.0: Jazz take Vonleh at #5

Elizah Huge

Elizah Huge

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Chad Ford's Mock Draft 8.0 published today.

1-4 is Embiid, Parker, Wiggins, and Exum.

5. Utah Jazz- Noah Vonleh

This one comes down to Dante Exum, Noah Vonleh and Aaron Gordon from what I can gather, and I think it will be hard for the Jazz to pass on either Exum or Vonleh if they are on the board.

While the Jazz drafted Trey Burke last year, they believe Exum has a higher ceiling (and I think they are right). And the Burke pick isn't a waste. Exum can also play at the 2 when Burke is on the floor.

Vonleh gives them a stretch 4 that adds a different wrinkle to their front line. There are enough minutes for Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter and Vonleh all to get significant minutes, and with Kanter heading toward restricted free agency next summer, this gives them some insurance as well.

Gordon is another possibility. He had a great workout and the team loves his energy and athleticism. But I don't get the impression that he's ahead of Exum or Vonleh. Marcus Smart has gotten a number of mentions here by other commentators, but I don't think the Jazz have been as high on him, and he's not even working out in Utah.
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Aaron Gordon goes to the Celtics at 6.

Jazz take Jordan Clarkson at 23.
 
Hack said:
Chad Ford sucks. Not sure why everyone wants to know what he thinks
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It's not his analysis, but he seems to have a lot of contacts around the league. Many of them blow smoke this time of year, but it is intriguing. Him and Draftexpress are probably the best in the business... unfortunately.

think of them as the basketball tabloids. We know it's not true, but its still entertaining.
 
Tony said:
Yup. Jazz can't take a chance at the Celtics thinking they'll take Gordon or else the Celtics will trade up to 4 and take our precious.
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Just the opposite. Jazz want Boston to trade up for Vonleh, who is from MA.

And I agree with Batman: Vonleh is gone before #8.
 
Batman said:
No way! He goes between 4-6. If I'm wrong you can Ban me for life. No way he drops to 8-10 range. Absolutely no way barring some ominous medical info.
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I agree with you. No way Vonleh drops to 8-10. I like Gordon, but man, the last thing we need is another guy that can't be a threat on both sides of the ball. Same reason Jabari worries me.

Vonleh can shoot, has decent post moves, and has a sweet jump hook with both hands (kid is 18 and will only get better). And he has good defensive timing. His wingspan makes him a good defender at the rim and for steals. I saw him get a lot of steals on the perimeter and post due to his go go gadget arms.
 
JAZZGASM said:
I agree with you. No way Vonleh drops to 8-10. I like Gordon, but man, the last thing we need is another guy that can't be a threat on both sides of the ball. Same reason Jabari worries me.

Vonleh can shoot, has decent post moves, and has a sweet jump hook with both hands (kid is 18 and will only get better). And he has good defensive timing. His wingspan makes him a good defender at the rim and for steals. I saw him get a lot of steals on the perimeter and post due to his go go gadget arms.
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Vonleh: more likely to be a impact player on both ends.
Gordon: more likely to fire up the rest of the team with his effort and attitude.

I'm honestly torn between the two.
 
Core4 said:
Vonleh: more likely to be a impact player on both ends.
Gordon: more likely to fire up the rest of the team with his effort and attitude.

I'm honestly torn between the two.
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That is a fair analysis, and Vonleh does not have the same motor as Gordon. But lets have the coach fire up the team. If Gordon can learn to shoot (and that is a HUGE if) he will be a stud. When I've watched Vonleh, I see a kid that does a lot really well. His footwork on the post could be better, but his duck under jump hook reminds me a bit of Duncan.
 
JAZZGASM said:
That is a fair analysis, and Vonleh does not have the same motor as Gordon. But lets have the coach fire up the team. If Gordon can learn to shoot (and that is a HUGE if) he will be a stud. When I've watched Vonleh, I see a kid that does a lot really well. His footwork on the post could be better, but his duck under jump hook reminds me a bit of Duncan.
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Oui. Vonleh does a lot really well but what does he do GREAT? We've seen that many times from many Jazzmen. Gordon is an elite defender and elite athlete. Gordon's elite D+athleticism>Vonleh's "does a lot really well."
 
Tony said:
Oui. Vonleh does a lot really well but what does he do GREAT? We've seen that many times from many Jazzmen. Gordon is an elite defender and elite athlete. Gordon's elite D+athleticism>Vonleh's "does a lot really well."
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This thank you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Batman said:
No way! He goes between 4-6. If I'm wrong you can Ban me for life. No way he drops to 8-10 range. Absolutely no way barring some ominous medical info.
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5. gordon
6. randle
7. smart
8. vonleh or some guy, sacramento is unpredictable
9-10. vonleh

that's what i believe
 
Tony said:
Oui. Vonleh does a lot really well but what does he do GREAT? We've seen that many times from many Jazzmen. Gordon is an elite defender and elite athlete. Gordon's elite D+athleticism>Vonleh's "does a lot really well."
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Best case, you have a longer Shawn Marion. If that happens, and he learns to shoot decently. Great. But Shawn Marion was an 80% FT shooter in college, Gordon shoots 45%. Yes, some college players learn to shoot better, but going from a very poor shooter to a good shooter happens rarely. Gordon has no left hand. Can't dribble well. Can't shoot well. But defends pretty well. Kenneth Faried seems more realistic. Gordon is a huge liability offensively. Why take a player with such a big hole, especially when the team already struggles on offense?

Vonleh on the other hand has the same length as Gordon but with capability on both ends of the floor. He needs better footwork, but his ability to score really well with both hands is going to translate into success in the NBA.

I don't think Gordon would be a bad pick, and he would do fine with the Jazz. I just think Vonleh has a better breadth of talent that will grow. And I think offensively he is going to be a beast.
 
It's past midnight, and sexy allure of vonleh is starting to wear off. Teams are seeing that he is very young, and a huge long term project. It may pan out into something, but not someone who can help right away.
 
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