Pick Possibilities: #1-15

Posted by Andy Larsen on June 11, 2009

Let’s start a new series leading up to the draft, in which I’ll try to estimate the Jazz’ draft board 15 picks at a time. Today, picks 1-15.

1. Blake Griffin (pictured above) – To me, he seems like a Boozer who plays defense and isn’t injury prone, with a slightly worse jumpshot. Other than that, he has the package: size, strength, rebounding and scoring skill, the clear ability to carry a team on his back. Easy call for the #1 pick, if the Jazz ever got it.

2 . Ricky Rubio – I’m really disappointed he’s not coming out next year. He’s 18 and has been followed as a prospect for a long time. Quote from DraftExpress: “Rubio is one of the best pick and roll players you’ll find in basketball today.” Yes, I know we already have a point guard, but you get minutes for both Rubio and Deron if Rubio’s available to you. Just incredibly skilled, 6-3, did I mention 18 years old?

3. Hasheem Thabeet – Tall, good defensively, excellent defensively, but hasn’t shown enough to me offensively for me to get excited about him. Despite this, I think he’s number three on the Jazz draft board precisely because a player of his type is exactly what the Jazz need. (Me, I wouldn’t draft him this high)

4. James Harden – The Jazz also need a SG, and why not get James Harden here – described by both major draft sites to be similar in style to Manu Ginobili. He also reminds me a lot of Brandon Roy in terms of expectations coming out of the draft. People think that his potential is somewhat limited, but his all around game is so good that he seems destined to become at least a good player.

5. Jordan Hill – Utah now passes on the crop of PG’s around this high, due to the Deron Williams factor, and draft a PF. He’s tough, has potential, and has only been playing basketball a few years, so has plenty of room to grow. Because of that, he lacks polish now, but could act as an energy/rebounding guy until he develops.

6.  Stephen Curry – There’s a pretty significant drop off from the Jazz’s perspective, as now we’re into either PG’s, or clear tier 2 players who don’t fit into a Utah system or just aren’t that good. Curry is the best of the group because of his character and ability to lead, as well as a tremendous shooting touch. If he turns out well, you would rotate him and Deron between PG and SG.

7. Jrue Holiday – Again, not a true PG or SG, but that’s almost an asset in Utah’s situation. Has great defensive talent and potential, along with a strong attitude and character. You don’t expect that out of a one and done kid named “Jrue”. Plus, he’s pretty good offensively, though not amazing at any one thing. Not a bad pick.

8. Dejuan Blair – A clear 2nd tier talent, but has been compared to Millsap so many times that Utah wouldn’t be able to say no. He’s aggressive, he’s tough, he’s a great rebounder. He has limited scoring talent, now and in the future, and is undersized. But he’s not a PG.

9. Gerald Henderson – Started lower in my rankings, but is another one of those players who is limited by their upside potential. He’s an efficient, low-possession user of an SG with a nice mid-range game, but not great from 3. He’s also a pretty good defender, but isn’t ever going to be your best player.

10. Tyreke Evans – A SG, but a ball dominant, out of control, turnover prone one. Still, he has size, and is a great slasher. A comparison would be Jamal Crawford. Also apparently has off court issues, but he would be a really good value pick here.

11. Demar DeRozan – Wing player with good size and good work ethic. He can score a little, and he tries hard. But, lets just list off the DX weakness list: lacks significant offensive polish, can’t create his own shot, defensive fundamentals iffy, poor A/TO ratio. But he would be a good non-PG value here.

12. Jonny Flynn – Only a PG, so lower for the Jazz than most other teams. Can score off the dribble with the best of them, but not a great shooter, passer, or defensive player. Nice guy. Not someone you move Deron to SG for.

13. Brandon Jennings – Thought he was too cool for school, so he went to Europe, where he hardly played and didn’t look great when he did. From his time as a HS prospect, he’s another PG who can score off the dribble, can pass a little, is OK defensively, but is turnover prone and would drive Sloan crazy.

14. Austin Daye: A nice SF with potential, Daye is skilled, athletic, and can finish around the hoop. He can also shoot from 3, which is something the Jazz may need. He’s also a decent to good defender. But, he’s skinny, and has attitude issues on the court.

15. Terrence Williams – I really like this kid. He’s a SG who’s just fantastic defensively – can block, steal, and play on-ball defense with the best of them. He can shoot the 3, he’s athletic, he can pass well. Unfortunately, he makes some bad decisions shooting the ball, and has some pretty bad percentages for a mid-range jumper. Sloan would either fix him and make his career or break his spirit and destroy his NBA life. Either way, it’d be fun.

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3 Comments

tman11 on June 11, 2009 said:

well before i make my 15 what was that in there the jazz need a shooting gaurd yeah i totally disagree with that. We got the most underated shooting guard in the league with brewer and almond or korver are both studs. so yeah why do you need anther shooting gaurd.
1.Blake Griffin I scouted this kid a few times I still think he is going to be a bust but he is the strongest pick in this draft
2.Hasheem thebeet, grizzles need som more size a feel they have darko as a back up but gasol is really undersized for a center and, he’s 7′3 you can’t pass that up
3. Ricky rubio, i think Harden would be a better pick but you have so much scroing threats for the thunder right now that’s the last thing you need
4. James Harden, the kings need anther threat besides Kmart james i think has great potentaland could go with the second pick but if not he will fall to 4th.
5Jordan hill I don’t know i think his stock is tising he is versital and can play multipul positions and the wizerds need help every were pretty much.
6.Tyreke evans If he could have he would have come out his senior year he can play both 2 and 1 positions and, he will be great helping out foyle or how ever you spell his neam in the front court.
7. Steven Curry, he can put the ball in the bucket do i have to say more he is a proven scorer he can creat shots for him self and has decent range.
8. Jru Holliday
9. Johny Fyln
10.Demare Rozan
11.Gerald Henderson
12. Brandon Jennings
13. dejuan Bliar
14.James Johnson
15. Terrance Williams

predict this on June 12, 2009 said:

I have a feeling that Jrue and Tyreke will be duds while there will be some sweet surprises in this draft.

also, will Hasheem equal Dikembe’s early defensive prowess or be another Shawn Bradley?

Trent on June 12, 2009 said:

Bring on the draft! I’m done watching the Magic lose the championship, so I need something good to watch.

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