Draft Chat

As if you haven't had enough draft conversation leading up to "the biggest moment in _________ franchise history", the boss man and myself did a little back and forth chat with some Q and A regarding the draft. Enjoy!

So, Chasey T, answer me this; with the Third pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz select.......

"Brandon Knight" - I have a strong feeling that the Jazz will pick Brandon Knight. Rumor has it that KOC loves this kid and has for some time. I also think that this pick more than ever is really about "who" KOC really wants. He has a new Coach and I don't think he feels as inclined to listen to Coach Corbin, as much as he may have listened and negotiated with Coach Sloan. So to me, Brandon Knight is pretty close to a lock at #3.

Let me ask you now GM Brown Bear, with the 12th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz select.......

Jimmec Thompyomton!

Okay, that might be the worst answer in history, but the 12th pick is an enigma. I think there are teams that want to move up, and while this draft isn't top heavy on talent, there are a lot of really good role players later on that you could pick up if a team like Chicago wanted to move up to take Klay Thompson. If I have my choice, I take either Alec Burks or Klay Thompson. I question if Jimmer will be on the board at 12, and especially if you take Brandon Knight, you are better off taking guys that can possibly fill two needs, as opposed to drafting another rookie point that is just going to sit on the bench. Thompson is Kyle Korver 2.0, more creative with the ball, plays better defense, although not great, and will be a respectable outside shooter for a long, long time. The intrigue here is with Chris Singleton, who is long and can defend, or Bismack Biyombo, who athletically is just amazing, but can't shoot. At the end of the day, defense is something Coach Corbin can scheme and teach, scoring and elite shooting is not, so I have to lean towards Burks and Thompson.

Chase, with all the rumors swirling, what possible trades do you see the Jazz making, and who would you be targeting as the team transitions to a new look?

I like the idea of Klay Thompson on the Jazz. He immediately makes us a better shooting team without stepping on the floor. I do not like Alec Burks. He is Ronne Brewer's identical brother. Athletic, can make plays, but has no Jump shot. I'm tired of SGs who can't shoot playing for the Jazz. Singleton is interesting to me. Defense, Hard worker and ok on offense. I like him with the 12th pick.

The Jazz can make some moves right now. They have assets. Players, Picks, and better cap room then they've had in years. Do the Jazz try to move Devin Harris? If you draft Brandon Knight at #3 it makes sense. You could use the #12 pick and D. Harris for a player and pick in next year’s draft?? Do you move Paul Millsap? Millsap and Harris for Andre Iguodala and a pick in next year’s draft?

If I'm the Jazz I do absolutely NOTHING! I like Paul Milsap in the 6th man role and I like his contract. Do NOT move him! I also like Devin Harris playing off the ball with B. Knight in the game and Harris give Knight 2 years to grow into a full-time starter and leader. Draft your Future PG at #3 and a Role Player at #12. Then let this team start to take shape before you blow it up anymore.

What moves do you make Kevin O'Brown Bear?

The Alec Burks comparison is pretty solid, although he is a little better at creating his shot and getting to the rim, I get the feeling that he may have an attitude issue. The Jazz are sitting in a bit of a No Man's Land in some respects, because you are working on your future while trying to integrate the pieces that you've built around for the last year. The only piece I could see really making the Jazz better would be offering Devin Harris and the number 12 for Danny Granger (numbers work, btw). The unknowns with this team are too valuable to make any drastic moves, especially when you factor in that a lockout is on the horizon. The best way to get better right now is to draft guys who will fit into your system as it is currently constructed. I'll say this, I think big things are coming from Al Jefferson and Devin Harris, and if you can hold on for one more year to build some value in some guys, that could work to your advantage in drafting a scoring 3 next year, where you and I both know Harrison Barnes most likely will be waiting. I personally think Barnes is a more talented Danny Granger, or even a Carmelo. I know you'd love to see him in a Jazz Jersey too.

Being a BYU fan, where do you REALLY want to see Jimmer go?

I love Harrison Barnes. And next year hopefully the Warriors aren't as good and we have 2 picks in the 1st round next year to make some moves. I would like to see Danny Granger, but I think you would have to give Millsap and the 12th pick. Indiana has Collison and little need for Harris. They would like a big guy who can shoot like Sap.

Being a BYU guy I'd like to see Jimmer in a "Good" situation. I feel there are 3 good situations for him.

-Phoenix - Playing behind Steve Nash for a few years and the uptempo style that will fit him.

-Utah - If picked at 12 I don't think the Jazz are asking him to be a Starting PG. They are asking for a 15-20 minute backup who can play situational because of his offense. Jimmer fits that perfect. I also think after the novelty of Jimmer wore off in 2 years, expectations would not be more than they should be. First year would be a struggle though.

-New York - The uptempo run and gun style the Knicks play would really fit Jimmer. They have 2 Stars already. Jimmer would fit perfect as the 3rd guy in his home state.

Since you are a Utah guy (Jimmer hater) I assume you want to see Jimmer anywhere but with the Jazz???

First things first, I am, and always will be, a Utah Man. There is no wavering in my allegiance, but as a wise basketball player once said, Game respect Game, and I really do like Jimmer Fredette's game. Now, I'm in no way endorsing him for the Jazz, my personal feeling is that choosing him would have more of an effect off the court than on. Do he and Hayward battle to be the face of the franchise? What happens to the Jazz fans who don't want Jimmer, as there are a number of them? You and I have gone round and round about Alex Smith and the Niners, and let’s be honest, it would be better for us both if Alex were playing elsewhere. I think the same may come around with Jimmer if expectations were not met. Not denying his talent or how it will translate, but injuries, lockout, free agency, etc are all factors that could contribute to how the guy develops. My hunch is he is without a doubt a great fit in Phoenix or New York, but something tells me he goes to Sacramento. The team needs a guy like Jimmer, good leadership, awesome with the community, solid BYU fan base there, and more than anything, he combats the craziness of Cousins and Evans because he just has that effect on people. Both Kemba Walker and one of the Morris Twins have publicly stated how he is the man. The Maloofs need someone like that right now. There's little arguing that the franchise needs a game changer, and who better for Paul Westphal to connect with than Timmer, errr, I mean Jimmer. I just feel his intangibles make him a better pick for them. Not to mention it takes the Jazz out from between a rock and a hard place.

I agree the Jazz may be in a hard place to pick Jimmer. I personally don't think the Jazz should or will pick Jimmer. I think it's best for both parties to have him go #7 to the Kings so the Jazz never have to face that question.

Brown Bear let me ask you this, From this draft, In 3 years __________ is playing in an All-Star game. (Not named D. Williams or K. Irving)

Enes Kanter, or Brandon Knight.

I know you asked for a single name, but I felt like both of those guys needed to be in the conversation. Kanter has a lot of potential, but more than that, there just aren't a lot of bigs in the league that are All-Star worthy, especially in the East. As Garnett starts to go downhill, you pretty much have Dwight Howard and Amare Stoudamire, then a bunch of second tier guys, so potentially his path is the most clear.

Knight also has the same advantage. If he goes to the Jazz, and CP3 ends up in New York, the only guy he's going to have to beat out in three years is Russ Westbrook, and possibly Mike Conley or Tony Parker, unless Kyle Lowry or JJ Barea does something unexpected.

I've got two questions for you though, first is do you see any potential all-stars in this draft, and second, who is your "Paul Millsap" sleeper pick of the draft, or in other words, which late first/second rounders do you like?

I don't know if there are any All-Stars in this draft. If there are, it’s maybe 1, 2 at the most. I think Kyrie Irving and Bismack Biyombo. Irving because he will be on a lousy team and dominate the ball, Biyombo because of his Defense. If he leads league in Rebounding and Blocks he will be an All-Star. I don't see Derrick Williams as an All-Star and Kanter does not look like one to me either. Brandon Knight has the brains and work ethic, but not sure his skill set will get him to an all-star.

As far as sleepers go in the late part of draft I like 2 guys. Jimmy Butler-Marquette and Darius Morris-Michigan. I think Butler will be a starter in the league. He is an all-around great talent who plays Defense and can light it up on the offensive end. Butler will surprise people. Darius Morris I have liked for awhile. He could go 1st round or slip to 2nd round. Either way I think he can be a starting PG in this league. Good size and skill set for a PG. He is a pass first player and can create off the dribble. Give him a year or two and have him develop a jump shot and he will be a good player.

Who are your sleepers Brown Bear?

Seeing as how you stole Jimmy Butler out from underneath me, I'm going to head in a different direction and pick David Lighty, with honorable mentions for Shelvin Mack and Nolan Smith. I watched all three play during the course of the year, and David Lighty really reminded me of Wes Matthews, with a little more handle and controlled play. I like Shelvin Mack as a bigger backup point, and Nolan Smith at times showed some serious heart, and I feel like guys like that can always make an impact in the NBA. I'm curious to see what happens with Keith Benson out of Oakland, and Jeremy Tyler, the kid who went overseas to Japan to play instead of going to college, but I don't feel confident enough to pick them as potential impact players.

My last question for you is this, Mr. Thomas; Make a prediction for what you think will be the biggest surprise/shocker of the draft....

The biggest draft Surprise/Shocker will be... Whoever trades up to #2 to draft Derick Williams. I don't think Minnesota wants to stay at #2 and I think they will move it on draft day. So biggest surprise will be who traded up, and what did they give up in order to acquire the #2 pick???

Couldn't agree with you more, but I'm going to get a little crazy and say that the biggest surprise of the draft will be David Stern announcing that Mark Cuban will be taking over for him during the lockout. What, you got something against Mark Cuban?