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On the radar: 2012 Draft Class

Ferguson_Mellochill

Ferguson_Mellochill

Well-Known Member
2019 Prediction Contest Winner
Given the possibility that the Jazz have 2 picks in the top half of next year's draft, here's a look at several prospects that could help push the Jazz towards the upper echelon of the league:

* Anthony Davis, 6'10" - Super-fluid, long and skilled PF with an all-around game. Impacts the game on both ends. Considered by some to be the best prospect in the draft. Is good enough to start along with Favors and make Kanter a 6th man. Has a muppet-like unibrow that will need to be dealt with.

* Andre Drummond - Athletically gifted, powerhouse PF/C with tremendous natural ability. Considered by some others to be the best prospect in the draft. Has a unique combination of Dwight Howard-meets-Blake Griffin potential. Big and explosive like Derrick Favors, but with more open-floor skills--handling and passing--and more natural quickness and body control. Is good enough to start along with Favors and make Kanter a 6th man. Probably the best big-man prospect in the past three years.

* Austin Rivers - Dynamic, high-scoring SG with ability to shoot from range and get to the rim with quick handles and drives. Son of coach Doc Rivers. Cocky, quick and a potential All Star early in his career. Should be good enough to make Alec Burks a 6th man.

* Marquis Teague - Athletic PG, likely the best PG prospect in the 2012 draft. Tight handle and quick enough to get by most guards he plays against. His outside shot is flaky, but he can set up teammates off of drives and get to the rim. The next Kentucky PG who will be playing alongside Anthony Davis, Michael Gilchrist and Terrence Jones.

* Harrison Barnes - Smooth, sweet-shooting SF with natural feel for the game. People on this board liked him as a lottery pick this past year. I'm not sold on him, but he could round out the Jazz's starting five and possibly push Burks or Hayward to come off the bench.

* Michael Gilchrist - Gifted, athletic SF with an NBA body. Makes a commitment to defense and can finish inside with either hand. Has better quickness and slashing ability than Barnes in my opinion.

* Quincy Miller - Skinny, long and athletic like a Kevin Durant-type wing, Miller is a natural ball-handler with guard-like skills despite his 6'9" frame. Is recovering from a torn ACL. He needs to get stronger, since physically he's about as skinny as Jeremy Evans. Not sure about his defensive commitment, but could become an explosive scorer that creates match-up problems with his inside/outside game.

* Myck Kabongo - Quick, crafty and natural PG. Undersized at 6'0", 160 lbs., but plays at a pretty high skill level. He's Canadian, so there's a better chance he won't be an overly demanding headcase. Not sure about his court vision or ability to run a team, but it looks like he's probably a more willing and skilled passer than Kemba Walker.
 
Personally I don't like Anthony Davis that much. Think that he is too skinny for pro but I admit that I was wrong before.

I also like Burks better than Rivers. Yes Rivers is a better shooter but he is undersized. If he can play the point then he could be special, but everything that I read says he is quite a ball hog who can make plays occassionally.

I am still mad that Barnes decided to go back to UNC in a draft that we have the 3rd pick.

The logical pick in 2012 for the Jazz would be a PG, and I like Teague's potential. If we are to pick a wing, we should probably add Perry Jones to the list as well.
 
Zerol said:
Personally I don't like Anthony Davis that much. Think that he is too skinny for pro but I admit that I was wrong before.

I also like Burks better than Rivers. Yes Rivers is a better shooter but he is undersized. If he can play the point then he could be special, but everything that I read says he is quite a ball hog who can make plays occassionally.

I am still mad that Barnes decided to go back to UNC in a draft that we have the 3rd pick.

The logical pick in 2012 for the Jazz would be a PG, and I like Teague's potential. If we are to pick a wing, we should probably add Perry Jones to the list as well.
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I think the idea of Perry Jones playing the 3 has passed. Not that he'll never see playing time on the wing, but the majority of his minutes will be played at the 4, imo.

On another note, I'm seriously hoping for Gilchrist in this draft. Davis and Drummond are probably too good to pass on, but I doubt we'll have another top 3 pick anyway. More likely, our picks will be in the 8-12 range, and Gilchrist might just slip to us in this loaded draft.

That being said, you're right, picking a PG would be wise. But unless Teague comes out and wows the NCAA this season, which he certainly has the potential to do, I don't see there being any PGs worth taking in the lottery.
 
If all these guys come out this will be the best draft in years. At this moment, I like Gilchrist the most. He fills a need and he seems to like to play defense. I also think he can develop his offensive game and become a good scorer. Ideally, the Jazz need a PG of the future but you still have to take the best player available. I just don't see how the Jazz are going to have two picks unless the season is canceled but it doesn't look like that will happen.
 
I would add Terrance jones to that list and I will be watching Marshall from unc very close this next season. I think a point guard who can run the team is what we need and is a willing passer. This team doesn't need another player that wants to score.

With jones the odom comparison might be spot on. What a perfect player to have coming off your bench. A player willing to play the part to win. If he can play the 3/4 combo as a bench wow. Although that is kind of mill saps roll.
 
Anthony Davis - WILL be a stud, no doubt. Too good of shooter, handles, passing, rebounding, blocking, athleticism, explosiveness ... stud. As far as his skinniness ... he actually has a very wide frame and his legs are thick. He's already put on 15 pounds since enrolling at UK. He's a kid that won't have a problem getting up to 235/240.

Andre Drummond - Another straight up, do-it-all, stud. Has the ability to be THE top center in the league someday .. IF he works hard and learns to bring it everynight, on both ends. Big if there.

Austin Rivers - Overrated in my opinion. Will sell tickets, will be in the ROY talks because he's a volume scorer, but his shooting is VASTLY overrated (sub-35%), and he's never seen a play that deserved a pass to a teammate. He'll be excitng to watch, but I believe he'll be horribly inefficient.

Marquis Teague - I really need to withhold judgement until I see a year under Calipari. I've seen Teague be a very poor floor leader, not a good shooter, and too much flash over going for the easy play. However, of late he has shown just the opposite and has been spectacular. One of the best ball handlers I've seen in a long time .. gets to the rim anytime he wishes .. just needs to learn not to over penetrate and dish timely.

Harrison Barnes - Another stud that will only get better. He's an overrated shooter, but I think he's one that will become deadly from behind the arc and be an all-star. Also needs to develop a more killer instinct.

Michael Gilchrist - Love Michael. Great kid. Huge character guy. One of the hardest workers I've ever seen play the game. He has taken the subway 90 minutes EACH way to school the past couple years so he could play for St. Patrick high school. Dad died when he was little, raised by his uncle, who had a heart attack just moments before Michael was to make his college choice. With a dozen family members in the room, it was Michael who performed CPR on his uncle for 18 minutes, before he died in his arms. As a small forward, Michael averaged more than 5 blocks per game. I'm going by memory here but I think he was somewhere around 20 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 blocks per game against top competition. UNDERRATED shooter (better than 40% from 3 last year, though he chooses his shots carefully rather than volume). Good comparison - Scottie Pippen.

Quincy Miller - Great player. Awesome. Has the shooting and handles to be an elite SF in the league. Legitimate 'pure' 3. Needs to prove a consistent work ethic .. has been in doubt there. Like the kid a lot.

Myck Kabongo - Jury is still out on this PG as well. Needs to learn to be a better floor leader and not do too much (over-penetrate). Very dynamic player, fun to watch. I believe he'll turn it on this year and be a late lottery pick and grow steadily into a decent/reliable NBA lead guard.
 
Xthren said:
I would add Terrance jones to that list and I will be watching Marshall from unc very close this next season. I think a point guard who can run the team is what we need and is a willing passer. This team doesn't need another player that wants to score.

With jones the odom comparison might be spot on. What a perfect player to have coming off your bench. A player willing to play the part to win. If he can play the 3/4 combo as a bench wow. Although that is kind of mill saps roll.
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Jones is going to have a monster sophomore season this year and will likely be rewarded by Calipari allowing him to show more of his perimeter game. Jones needs some maturity (behind the curve to that of his peers), but he's a good kid and a baller. Odom is a good comparison, with Jones being more assertive (I didn't say 'better').

I like Kendall Marshall as well. He's not great at anything, but very good at everything. Will likely find a way to be good at this level, but never great, in my opinion.
 
Let us not forget about these guys:

Jeremy Lamb: A bit redundant with Burks but has a 7' wingspan so could play some SF. If he has a monstrous year gotta still keep your eye on him if he falls.
Jared Sullinger: Has grown an inch to 6'10" if the Amare camp measurements are true. If he puts up 20 and 10 and falls might be BPA
Perry Jones: I didn't like what I saw last season but has the mold of an NBA star at 6'11" and athletic as hell.
James McAdoo: A likely candidate not to come out if he sees few minutes at NC. Position not clear yet (SF or PF?)
Tony Wroten: Some say he'll be the best PG to come out of the class, great size for a PG and court vision.
 
Jazz4ever said:
Let us not forget about these guys:

Jeremy Lamb: A bit redundant with Burks but has a 7' wingspan so could play some SF. If he has a monstrous year gotta still keep your eye on him if he falls.
Jared Sullinger: Has grown an inch to 6'10" if the Amare camp measurements are true. If he puts up 20 and 10 and falls might be BPA
Perry Jones: I didn't like what I saw last season but has the mold of an NBA star at 6'11" and athletic as hell.
James McAdoo: A likely candidate not to come out if he sees few minutes at NC. Position not clear yet (SF or PF?)
Tony Wroten: Some say he'll be the best PG to come out of the class, great size for a PG and court vision.
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I'm not yet sold on Lamb. He had a great end of the season last year, but prior to that was relatively unknown on the big stage. Needs to have a complete season this year. Perry Jones is good but redundant for the Jazz, he's not a SF. McAdoo is a baller, but we'll have to see if he's got the size to play PF at an elite level. I like Wroten, a lot. Fun to watch and can dribble, pass, and score as well any PG in the class. He needs consistent work ethic and a bit more teachable .. think he will be and very well could be the best PG out of the last two classes ('11/'12).
 
PKM said:
Michael Gilchrist - Love Michael. Great kid. Huge character guy. One of the hardest workers I've ever seen play the game. He has taken the subway 90 minutes EACH way to school the past couple years so he could play for St. Patrick high school. Dad died when he was little, raised by his uncle, who had a heart attack just moments before Michael was to make his college choice. With a dozen family members in the room, it was Michael who performed CPR on his uncle for 18 minutes, before he died in his arms. As a small forward, Michael averaged more than 5 blocks per game. I'm going by memory here but I think he was somewhere around 20 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 blocks per game against top competition. UNDERRATED shooter (better than 40% from 3 last year, though he chooses his shots carefully rather than volume). Good comparison - Scottie Pippen.
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I believe I read somewhere (ESPN's scouting report?) that Gilchrist averaged 14 rebounds and 6 assists his senior year. I know I didn't miss read it, cause I reread it like 20 times to be sure (those are beyond incredible numbers for a SF). But I can't say if it was a misprint.
 
My list (somewhat in order of desire):

-Gilchrist if he can show a better ability to shoot the 3 with confidence and more volume. What am I talking about? He's a freshman, what do I know. He seems exactly like what the Jazz need right now (a defensive-minded physically imposing wing with a mentality to match, can stretch the floor and do a lot of everything)
-Harrison Barnes. He seems like he could be the OTHER exact thing the Jazz need (real star potential), and at a position that is a bit shaky right now anyway.

-Nemanja Nedovic (very, very intriguing player to me. He seems like he could be everything you want at the position)
-Marquis Teague (based on potential, he could be everything I hate)
-Kendall Marshall (I've seen him projected in the 2nd round which would be great, and his pure point ability/instincts very much intrigues me)
-Jordan Taylor looks like a steal to me if he stays as under-the-radar as he has.


Next year is going to be a very interested draft. Between the proposed changes to the draft in CBA talks, to the Jazz potentially have two lottery picks or no 1sts at all, where their 2nd might fall, and the possibility of no season at all... well... we don't know a DAMN thing.
 
PKM said:
Good call. Beal is a straight up STUD ... and NO buts about it.
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Totally agree. He averaged, what, 32 points his senior year? And all the scouts say he gets his points within the flow of the offense, unlike Rivers.

Beal is a guy who flat out gets it.
 
I was looking at players I thought could help the Jazz go to another level. Sullinger could be bigger and better this year, but seems redundant with Kanter and Favors. Perry Jones is a big who wants to play like a guard, but maybe he'll start to realize his potential this year. Terrence Jones is a bit of a tweener. I've always liked his ability to rebound and his toughness, but I'm not sure he really adds too much to the team, unless we're going to move Millsap. Same could be said of McAdoo, who is a 6'8" PF with a face-up game right now.

Brad Beal should totally be in the discussion. He's a smart, skilled, all-around player. I'm not sure if he'll be better than Burks or not, but probably is better coming out of high school. A lot of people would take him over Rivers.

Assuming there is a season of some sort and things play out as expected, the Jazz should have at least one pick in the top 10 and be able to get one of these guys we're discussing.
 
Catchall said:
I was looking at players I thought could help the Jazz go to another level. Sullinger could be bigger and better this year, but seems redundant with Kanter and Favors. Perry Jones is a big who wants to play like a guard, but maybe he'll start to realize his potential this year. Terrence Jones is a bit of a tweener. I've always liked his ability to rebound and his toughness, but I'm not sure he really adds too much to the team, unless we're going to move Millsap. Same could be said of McAdoo, who is a 6'8" PF with a face-up game right now.

Brad Beal should totally be in the discussion. He's a smart, skilled, all-around player. I'm not sure if he'll be better than Burks or not, but probably is better coming out of high school. A lot of people would take him over Rivers.

Assuming there is a season of some sort and things play out as expected, the Jazz should have at least one pick in the top 10 and be able to get one of these guys we're discussing.
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My opinion is Beal over Burks .. in maybe every category but height.
 
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