2011 NBA Draft: 5 Reasons Derrick Williams Will Play for the Utah Jazz
Derrick Williams is arguably the most explosive player in the 2011 NBA Draft. Williams is a freak of an athlete and a proven winner coming from Arizona. In what many are calling a weak draft, Williams is one of only a few players that can be considered a draft "lock."
Many people believe that Williams will be taken by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the second pick in the draft, some think that he could be taken by Cleveland with the first overall pick. Personally, I think that Williams will not be taken until the Utah Jazz select him with the third pick.
1. Point Guards
1 of 6
Derrick Rose, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo, Russel Westbrook, John Wall and Tony Parker have helped the NBA become a point guard driven league. Unless your team is stocked with superstars like the Miami Heat, then a floor general is a must in order to be successful.
Right now the Cleveland Cavaliers have Baron Davis as their starting point guard. Davis is a solid player, but nowhere near the player that he was five years ago. Unless the Cavs plan on getting three superstars on their roster, they need a franchise point guard. Enter Kyrie Irving.
Irving has the potential to be a great NBA guard and has even drawn comparisons to Chris Paul. While Williams might be tempting for the Cavs, I think Irving is their guy and thus Williams is still on the draft board.
2. Michael Beasley
2 of 6
It is easy to compare Derrick Williams to Michael Beasley. They are both athletic, long and have the ability to score the basketball. As you probably already know, Beasley is already playing in Minnesota. Why would the Timberwolves need another Beasley?
Simply put, they don't.
In just his third year in the league, Beasley scored just over 19 points per game and was able to pull down over five rebounds per game. Beasley is good, and seems to have found his niche in Minnesota. As he gains experience, I expect his numbers to continue to climb.
3. Minnesota Big Men
3 of 6
Kevin Love is a star and Michael Beasley is an up-and-coming star. Anthony Tolliver, Anthony Randolph, Darko Milicic and Nikola Pekovic aren't. While Milicic and Tolliver are serviceable players, neither have proven to be a true threat in the post.
Love has established himself as a dominant rebounder and a very good scorer. As already stated, Beasley can score the ball as well, but he plays more like a big small forward rather than a true power forward. The center position has a lot to be desired in Minnesota.
Derrick Williams is electrifying, but I don't see a need for him on the Minnesota roster. To be fair, Minnesota needs a lot of help in a lot of different positions, but a post threat to go alongside Love would be a really good start.
I could be wrong and Williams would really open up the offense for Love and the Wolves, but I think that Williams would basically be a Beasley clone.
4. Enes Kanter
4 of 6
Enes Kanter is the best big man in the draft. Although he isn't as established and well-known as Williams, he has the skills to become a franchise big man. The center from Turkey would instantly be able to improve Minnesota's interior defense and help free things up for Kevin Love on the offensive side of the ball.
With two dominant big men and Michael Beasley continuing to improve, the 'Wolves has the beginning of a solid team. Much has been made of the disappointing play of Minnesota's point guards, but if they have three established scorers to rely on, the game could open up for the likes of Jonny Flynn and Luke Ridnour.
Kanter seems to be a much better fit for Minnesota right now. He might not be as explosive or exciting as Williams, but he fills a bigger need.
5. The Jazz Need Help
5 of 6
By the end of the year, the Utah Jazz were almost unrecognizable. Their Hall of Fame coach Jerry Sloan retired midseason; they traded their franchise point guard Deron Williams.
The Jazz were riddled with injuries including a near season-long injury to Mehmet Okur. It was a difficult year for JazzNation.
Despite the difficulty of last season, if the Jazz can make their two lottery picks count, they could find themselves back in the playoffs next season. On the Jazz roster is an impressive group of big men: Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Mehmet Okur and Derrick Favors.
They lost Deron Williams, but replaced him with Devin Harris. Harris isn't Williams, but he certainly isn't a slouch either.
On the wing however, the Jazz need help. Andrei Kirilenko is likely on his way out of Utah. C.J. Miles is improving from year-to-year, but his consistency isn't anything to write home about. Gordon Hayward has a promising end to his season last year, but his overall skill is still questioned by many.
Derrick Williams is the perfect fit for Utah. He is athletic, can get to the basket, can shoot the ball, plays great defense and can rebound with the best of them.
Jazz fans would be ecstatic if they could land D-Will 2.0 in Salt Lake City.
Recap
6 of 6
The Cavs need a point guard.
The 'Wolves don't need another hybrid power forward/small forward.
Enes Kanter looks to be a great fit for Minnesota and would fill their need for a center.
Derrick Williams could be headed to Utah. Williams might be disappointed because of the minor draft slip, but the way Jazz fans would embrace him would make him quickly forget about his draft slip.
Another positive for Williams, if the Jazz can draft well with their second lottery pick, Williams could be headed to the playoffs in his rookie season.
Do you think that Williams will still be on the board for the Jazz?
