"You Gotta Love It Baby" Official Jazz thread

[MarkGrace]

This year's combine darling? Nevada forward Luke Babbitt.

Babbitt measured around 6-9 in shoes with an 8-9 standing reach. That doesn't blow you away. However, he had an impressive 6-11 wingspan and essentially measures up with Griffin (6-10 in shoes, an 8-9 standing reach and a 6-11 wingspan).

But Griffin is way more athletic, you say? Not according to the combine numbers.

Babbitt had a 37.5-inch max vertical, a 3.2-second sprint and an impressive 10.98 lane agility score. Griffin's numbers were 35.5, 3.28 and 10.95, respectively.

Griffin clearly had the strength advantage, benching a 185-pound bar 22 times to Babbitt's 15. But 15 reps is still an impressive number.

What about production on the court? Griffin clearly had Babbitt bested here. Griffin averaged 22.2 ppg and 14.1 rpg in 32 mpg his sophomore year. Babbitt averaged 21.9 ppg and 9 rpg in 37 mpg his sophomore year. However, Babbitt does bring two things to the table that Griffin doesn't -- 3-point shooting and ball-handling ability. Babbitt shot a blazing 43 percent from beyond the arc this past season and showed excellent ball-handling skills for a big man in the combine.

Of course, Babbitt isn't as good of a prospect as Griffin was. That's why we've had Babbitt No. 12 on our mock draft for two straight weeks. However, we might have him too low. Based on what I'm hearing, Babbitt could be in play as high as No. 9 to the Jazz.

From Ford.

[smokymountainrain]

From Ford.

He also killed it in the combine's shooting drills.

[Jacob]

From Ford.

Why does Ford think every white guy is in play for the Jazz?

And what's the point of comparing Babbitt to Griffin? They are not remotely similar players, right? Babbitt is not a post player, right?

And finally, how does Nevada have Babbitt, who is supposedly really good, and another player who is likely to get drafted this year and end up 3rd in the WAC? Bad coaching? Babbitt's not that good? The rest of the team stinks?

[MarkGrace]

Why does Ford think every white guy is in play for the Jazz?

I don't think it's limited to Ford. And with Ford you have to remember that what he spouts is mostly a reflection of what he's hearing (which may or may not be accurate). In terms of guys covering this stuff, I don't think there's anyone better connected than him.

[MarkGrace]

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[smokymountainrain]

Why does Ford think every white guy is in play for the Jazz?

And what's the point of comparing Babbitt to Griffin? They are not remotely similar players, right? Babbitt is not a post player, right?

I wondered the same thing. What a bizarre comparison. Not only are they not similar players in terms of style, etc - Babbitt isn't even on the same planet as a basketball player or a prospect.

And finally, how does Nevada have Babbitt, who is supposedly really good, and another player who is likely to get drafted this year and end up 3rd in the WAC? Bad coaching? Babbitt's not that good? The rest of the team stinks?

Another very good question because the other guy, Johnson, is for real, IMO.

[MarkGrace]

I wondered the same thing. What a bizarre comparison. Not only are they not similar players in terms of style, etc - Babbitt isn't even on the same planet as a basketball player or a prospect.

Of course, Babbitt isn't as good of a prospect as Griffin was.

I think he already said that!

[smokymountainrain]

I think he already said that!

It's one thing to say he's not as good of a prospect. Evan Turner isn't as good of a prospect as John Wall. Karl Malone isn't as good as Michael Jordan.

Ford is comparing a consensus #1 overall pick and college player of the year to a guy who may not even be drafted in the lottery and wasn't even an all-american. Sorry, it's just a really strange comparison and just saying he isn't as good a prospect doesn't do it justice, IMO.

[MarkGrace]

Ford is comparing a consensus #1 overall pick and college player of the year to a guy who may not even be drafted in the lottery and wasn't even an all-american.

What do college accolades have to do with projecting a player? There have been plenty of non-AA's that were great prospects, and there have been plenty of AA's that weren't.

Sorry, it's just a really strange comparison and just saying he isn't as good a prospect doesn't do it justice, IMO.

I guess I'm not seeing the comparison that you guys do. What this amounts to, at least the way I read it, is a comparison of a physical profile backed by great college production. I don't really see him doing much of a comparison of their games (other than to note that Babbit is more of a wing player with his handle and range).

And I'm not sure what justice there is to be done in differentiating them as prospects. He has Babbit at the back-end of the lottery (and is simply making the case that maybe he should be considered a bit higher) and touted Griffin as the slam-dunk top prospect in last year's draft -- on that evidence alone he's considering them vastly different prospects.

[MarkGrace]

Sounds like the T-Wolves may be interested in Tomic.

[Surfah]

:igiveup:

It's only the system that matters. Everyone should adopt the triangle offense because it's proven to be superior to anything else in the last 20 years.

Bron wants triangle.

A lot has been written about the influence William Wesley has with players and coaches. In fact rumors have been flying that Wesley is trying to package one of his coaches together with LeBron James.

Kentucky head coach John Calipari had to refute those rumors a couple of times, while a new CAA client, Boston assistant coach Tom Thibodeau, has been mentioned as someone Wesley would like to pair with LeBron.

According to Mike McGraw of the Daily Herald, Wesley is also targeting another assistant coach.

McGraw writes: "A new rumor, though, has Wesley pushing Lakers assistant Brian Shaw for the Bulls under the idea that James is intrigued by the triangle offense. Shaw is in his fifth season working under Phil Jackson. The Bulls are going to wait until the end of the Finals before moving forward on their coaching search. Right now, Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau and ex-Blazers and Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks are the leaders, but Shaw has time to join the race."

[MarkGrace]

I think the him-Gloria-Delonte is as much triangle as he can handle right now.

[Sizzle]

I think the him-Gloria-Delonte is as much triangle as he can handle right now.

[Jacob]

Why don't we like Ed Davis for the Jazz? I didn't watch him at all this year, but in only 26 minutes per game, he put up awesome rebounding numbers and 2.7 blocks per game. He's an amazing jumper.

Compare his stats to Monroe, and he looks better. Monroe played 34 mpg to Davis' 26. when you take that into account, Davis scored at a better rate, and is a better rebounder and significantly better shot-blocker to go along with his superior athleticism.

I hear Monroe is a really good passer. What is it about Davis we don't like?

[Jacob]

I think I partly answered my own question by reading this from draft express:

Digging deeper, though, and seeing the glaring offensive limitations he showed as a freshman, it was pretty obvious that Davis was always going to need time to develop into the player many envision him becoming down the road.

Looking at his physical profile, Davis continues to sport an outstanding frame that is still at least 2-3 years away from fully filling out. His wingspan is outstanding on top of that, and allows him to play much bigger than his size.

He displays a strange blend of athleticism, on one hand running the floor extremely well and being fairly explosive around the rim, but on the other lacking a significant amount of fluidity and reactivity, being somewhat upright and clearly on the mechanical side. From time to time you’ll see him make some extremely impressive plays, but for the most part it’s difficult to describe him as being a great athlete at this point in time, at least in terms of his ability to actually utilize his athleticism.

Offensively, Davis remains extremely raw, being mostly limited to finishing plays in the immediate area around the basket and having a difficult time creating his own shot. His lack of strength makes it tough for him to establish position deep in the post and finish through contact in traffic, something that forces him to settle for difficult shots outside of his comfort zone. His footwork is raw and he avoids his right hand like the plague (he’s left-handed), not looking all that impressive when forced to improvise on the fly, and having a very difficult time against more physical defenders.

You’d like to see him develop somewhat of a mean streak to compensate for his average skill-level, as it would make it much easier for him to get on the floor in the NBA early on in his career. That’s not really the type of player he is, though.

On the flip side, Davis’ length makes him a terrific target for his (very streaky) guards to lob the ball into the paint to, and he finishes well around the basket for that same reason, getting amazing extension on his jump-hook shot, being able to elevate from long vantage points, and showing excellent touch around the rim. He draws fouls at a good rate and converts on a solid 66% of his free throws.

Facing the basket, Davis has a long ways to go, as his ball-handling skills are close to non-existent and he lacks significant range on his jump-shot. He’s taken only four jumpers all season long according to Synergy Sports Technology, and you can tell why for the most part when looking at the ones he did attempt.

Any other thoughts?