"You Gotta Love It Baby" Official Jazz thread

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Knight today, Leonard coming in on the 19th.

http://thehoopsreport.com/workouts.aspx?action=Utah

If Leonard comes in and shoots really well it could increase the chances of the Jazz exploring offers at #3, especially with a team like Washington that reportedly really likes Kanter. But moving to 6 likely means Kanter, Valanciunas, and Knight are gone...so they'd better get something fantastic via trade and/or be absolute certain about a guy like Leonard or Vesely.

I didn't pay attention enough to know what the Wizards thought of Seraphin after drafting him last year. But I wonder if Vesely/Leonard + Seraphin + a future first is better than what could be had at #3. But I'm not fond of the idea of moving down 3 spots when that high in the lottery unless a more established player is coming over or unless a first round pick in 2012 is certain to be included w/minimal protection.

[Eddie]

I don't know if/when it will be available as a podcast on on their website, but DJ was talking about Jimmer's Jazz workout this morning on the radio as I was driving in. He started before I turned it on, and said he would be talking about it more after I turned it off - so I'm curious as to the rest.

- As has been reported, there were a LOT of people there. Press weren't allowed to see the workout, but when they came in he said that essentially all of the local college coaches were there except LK and Hunsaker. Also - there were probably 100 people or more up in the reception room overlooking the gym where they do banquets while people watch. All of the Jazz brass were there, as well as Greg and Gail Miller.

- DJ talked to a lot of people, both BYU homers and non-homers, and essentially heard the same things from everyone.

- First: Jimmer can shoot it. Most of the players in for the workout were shooting around 40% from three. Kemba was shooting around 50-60% from three. Jimmer was shooting around 80-90% from three.

- Second: As reported by non-BYU homers, Jimmer was "clearly" and "easily" the best player at the workout. "And it wasn't close".

- During their 3-on-3 drills, apparently at one point someone did something to piss Jimmer off, and he "took over". He didn't expound on what this meant, but I thought it was telling.

- According to DJ, Corbin said that Jimmer was much faster and quicker than what he expected and was fairly impressed.

DJ was talking draft picks a little, and make it sound like if the Jazz want Jimmer they may have to move up (he didn't say anything crazy, like that they should use the #3 on him). Speculating hard that he'll go to the Kings at #7, and the Jazz may need to move ahead of them. Or, if he slips past that he doesn't see any way that Jimmer slips past Phoenix at #13 - even if the Jazz go with Knight at #3 and aren't looking for a guard any more.

He also spent a few minutes talking about how well the interview went, how well Jimmer interviews overall, and how grounded he is. Basically he was saying that in a world where a lot of players are distracted by clubs, girls, gambling, etc. - Jimmer might be a safe pick because you know what you are getting and know that these issues won't distract him from the job of playing ball.

[MarkGrace]

Knight today, Leonard coming in on the 19th.

http://thehoopsreport.com/workouts.aspx?action=Utah

If Leonard comes in and shoots really well it could increase the chances of the Jazz exploring offers at #3, especially with a team like Washington that reportedly really likes Kanter. But moving to 6 likely means Kanter, Valanciunas, and Knight are gone...so they'd better get something fantastic via trade and/or be absolute certain about a guy like Leonard or Vesely.

I didn't pay attention enough to know what the Wizards thought of Seraphin after drafting him last year. But I wonder if Vesely/Leonard + Seraphin + a future first is better than what could be had at #3. But I'm not fond of the idea of moving down 3 spots when that high in the lottery unless a more established player is coming over or unless a first round pick in 2012 is certain to be included w/minimal protection.

3 + something for 6 + McGee

[Blueintheface]

3 + something for 6 + McGee

I like where your head is at.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

3 + something for 6 + McGee

That would seem like nonsense to me (I keep thinking no way they move McGee for a rookie in this draft)...but Ford had yet another reference to Washington looking to move up and having to weigh if McGee is worth it or not. Though today he did say he thought the target was Williams first, Kanter second.

Millsap + #3 for McGee + #6. Washington has room to absorb the extra salary, so Utah gets a legit center so Jefferson and Favors can play more minutes at PF, they still get someone like Vesely or Leonard at 6, and they save about $4 M.

[Blueintheface]

3 + something for 6 + McGee

Say they work out something similar to this if they absolutely haven't fallen in love with one of these bigs; who do they pick up at 6? Walker? Burks? Thompson? It would need to be a player like McGee for me to be excited about dropping down to pick up a marginal player at 6 otherwise I go with Kanter at 3.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Ford also said in chat, as he has in the past I believe, that Favors would be the clear-cut #1 pick if he was coming out this year.

I guess it is still good to hear stuff like that, though it isn't saying too much this year.

[Jacob]

He also spent a few minutes talking about how well the interview went, how well Jimmer interviews overall, and how grounded he is. Basically he was saying that in a world where a lot of players are distracted by clubs, girls, gambling, etc. - Jimmer might be a safe pick because you know what you are getting and know that these issues won't distract him from the job of playing ball.

Those issues won't. But marriage and kids can be just as much of a distraction. Maybe more so because you get nagged about not spending enough time with them. The real question is whether the draftee is going to work his butt off and not dedicate too much time to other pursuits, like partying, playing video games..or changing diapers. Will he put the hours in every day? It seems pretty clear that Jimmer has put the hours in in the past. And not just playing pickup games, but working on skills, not relying on natural talent. Hopefully he'll continue to do that going forward.

[MarkGrace]

Say they work out something similar to this if they absolutely haven't fallen in love with one of these bigs; who do they pick up at 6? Walker? Burks? Thompson? It would need to be a player like McGee for me to be excited about dropping down to pick up a marginal player at 6 otherwise I go with Kanter at 3.

I think it would be a scenario like BGR said. Look to go wing with either Lenoard or Vesley. One of those two is pretty much guaranteed to be there.

[Blueintheface]

I think it would be a scenario like BGR said. Look to go wing with either Lenoard or Vesley. One of those two is pretty much guaranteed to be there.

Neither are great IMO, but I guess we already knew that. For a long ball shooter Vesely shoots 50% on free throws (still blows my mind) and I still have questions about Leonard's ability to play the wing full time. I guess if it lands the Jazz an established defensive center you take that risk though.

[MarkGrace]

Neither are great IMO, but I guess we already knew that. For a long ball shooter Vesely shoots 50% on free throws (still blows my mind) and I still have questions about Leonard's ability to play the wing full time. I guess if it lands the Jazz an established defensive center you take that risk though.

Well the whole thing was premised on IF Leonard comes in and shoot the ball well, convincing the Jazz he's a full-time wing. If not, or if there's not someone else you really like in that range, then you stay put.

[Blueintheface]

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsja...rkout.html.csp

Jimmer Fredette created the most buzz. But Brandon Knight was the real deal.

Knight sounds confident but perhaps is doing a bit of damage control for apparently ducking competitive workouts.

Edit: To clarify, the above quote is not Knight but the 3 headed monster at the Trib.

[Eddie]

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsja...rkout.html.csp





Knight sounds confident but perhaps is doing a bit of damage control for apparently ducking competitive workouts.

Edit: To clarify, the above quote is not Knight but the 3 headed monster at the Trib.

Smart to say that he wants to workout against Irving. Kind of pushes the criticism off a little that he's been getting.

But even then, it's a bit hypocritical to say that he won't work out against guys rated below him, but will work out against guys rated above him.

[MarkGrace]

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsja...rkout.html.csp





Knight sounds confident but perhaps is doing a bit of damage control for apparently ducking competitive workouts.

Edit: To clarify, the above quote is not Knight but the 3 headed monster at the Trib.

Same thing I said yesterday. If you're Knight, there's only one guy you agree to work out against, and that's Irving.

[Blueintheface]

Smart to say that he wants to workout against Irving. Kind of pushes the criticism off a little that he's been getting.

But even then, it's a bit hypocritical to say that he won't work out against guys rated below him, but will work out against guys rated above him.

He also knows that the workout will never happen so it's safe to say it now. His agent is driving this bus I'm sure.