NBA Draft 2011: Utah Jazz's Best Possibilities on Draft Day
The 2011 NBA draft takes place on June 23 in Newark, New Jersey. With only a few weeks left until then, let's take a look at one of the "luckiest" teams in the draft lottery, the Utah Jazz.
The Utah Jazz own the third and 12th overall picks this year. The Jazz are in a great situation, as they have two picks in the lottery. With the third pick—acquired from New Jersey—they can select a franchise player for the future, and they also have the opportunity to select a dynamic role player with their later lottery pick.
Jumping three places in the lottery order (from sixth to third) provides an invaluable opportunity for Utah to redeem itself. The Jazz have entered a new era; no more Stockton to Malone, no more (sadly) Larry H. Miller, no more Williams and Boozer, and finally, no more Jerry Sloan.
This franchise has gone through the worst in the past few years, but rather than focusing on the downfalls and shortcomings of it, let's grasp this opportunity to build anew and start a new chapter in the brilliant legacy of the Utah Jazz.
It all starts with the draft. Read on:
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Use the Picks as Trade Bait
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*The rest of this article points out draft picks not trade possibilities, don't worry!
With our first and most unlikely scenario, the Jazz will use their picks in this "weak" draft as trade bait to bring in high-caliber, proven players.
Whether they use both picks to entice teams to send over players, or not, the Jazz are in a great position to obtain proven players and go about the rebuilding of their franchise a different way.
Kemba Walker, Jan Vesely
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With the combination of Kemba Walker and Jan Vesely, the Jazz can ultimately orchestrate an unchallenged athletic duo that beats the defense in transition and sends highlight reels to national television every night in the half-court offense.
If Walker and Vesely were both groomed dramatically on the defensive end, along with their offensive talent, they could legitimately be a franchise combo to build around.
A lineup with this draft scenario would ensue a starting lineup and bench that looked somewhat like this:
(Assuming this is a few years down the road, and barring any franchise-altering trades.)
A starting lineup and bench looks like this:
Starting Lineup:
Point Guard - Kemba Walker
Shooting Guard - Gordon Hayward
Forward - Jan Vesely
Forward - Derrick Favors
Center - Al Jefferson
Bench:
Point - *Possibly Devin Harris (With Price and Watson free agents, this is uncertain.)
Guard - C.J. Miles
Small Forward - Andrei Kirilenko
Power Forward - Paul Millsap
Center - Mehmet Okur, Ante Tomic
(The Jazz will obviously bring in a few more role players with only 11 players listed above.)
Not the best case scenario by any means, but a promising and realistic one.
Enes Kanter, Jimmer Fredette
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With one of the best frontcourts in the league, the Jazz would have to be willing to move some pieces around in order to draft Enes Kanter. Some changes might include trading Paul Millsap and/or Mehmet Okur, and then moving Al Jefferson to the power forward position while letting Enes Kanter fill in at center.
Hometown hero Jimmer Fredette becomes a priority after selecting a big-man with their third pick. Drafting him based on honest-to-god talent and team needs alone, Fredette still fits nicely on this team.
I really don't need to explain why, right?
This duo might not be as flashy or athletic as the previous one, but they would indefinitely be just as, if not more, consistent and productive.
A starting lineup and bench looks like this:
Starting Lineup:
Point Guard - Jimmer Fredette
Shooting Guard - Gordon Hayward
Forward - Andrei Kirilenko
Forward - Al Jefferson
Center - Enes Kanter
Bench:
Point Guard - *Possibly Devin Harris, (With Price and Watson free agents, this is uncertain.)
Shooting Guard - C.J. Miles
Small Forward - *(Uncertain)
Power Forward - Derrick Favors
Center - Ante Tomic, Kyrylo Fesenko
(The Jazz will obviously bring in a few more role players with only 10 players listed above.)
Again, not the best possible draft situation, but a decent one at best.
Derrick Williams, Jimmer Fredette
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The potential duo of Williams and Fredette gets a little more exciting and, not to mention, a lot more athletic. Bringing a physical specimen like Derrick Williams in to pair up with Derrick Favors, Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson spells disaster for every other team in the league.
Just imagine, for a moment, how sickening the threat would be of Fredette beyond the three-point line, the dominance of Favors and Jefferson down low, and the mismatch mayhem of Derrick Williams everywhere on the floor. It would punish the opposition! Throw in the defensive presence and offensive talent of Gordon Hayward and a few years of experience, and you end up with a team that can take a serious run at the title.
A starting lineup and bench looks like this:
Starting Lineup:
Point Guard - Jimmer Fredette
Shooting Guard - Gordon Hayward
Forward - Derrick Williams
Forward - Derrick Favors
Center - Al Jefferson
Bench:
Point Guard - *Possibly Devin Harris, (With Price and Watson free agents, this is uncertain.)
Shooting Guard - C.J. Miles
Small Forward - Andrei Kirilenko
Power Forward - Paul Millsap
Center - Mehmet Okur, Ante Tomic
(The Jazz will obviously bring in a few more role players with only 11 players listed above.)
I'm going to give this one a dead-even tie for the best possible scenario during Utah's draft selections.
Brandon Knight, Marshon Brooks
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You're probably thinking, "Who is that!"
Right? If so, Marshon Brooks was the second-leading scorer in the NCAA this past season. He was second only to, of course, Jimmer Fredette. At 24.6 points per game, 7.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.2 blocks, Brooks raised the few eyebrows that managed to glance his way.
Playing for Providence and staying in school for four years hurt his publicity and, therefore, his draft stock. Brooks has a 7'1" wingspan and, oh wait, did I mention he's a shooting guard? The Utah Jazz need a shooting guard now more than...well, anything I can think of.
Wow, I haven't even mentioned Brandon Knight yet!
Here goes: Brandon Knight will be the best all-around point guard taken out of the 2011 NBA draft. Period. Knight's ability to lead a team and play with a big heart is unparalleled by the likes of Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker. His potential shadows that of Irving and Walker as well, and I believe he will be the biggest piece moving forward for the Utah Jazz.
Starters and bench, please:
Starting Lineup:
Point Guard - Brandon Knight
Shooting Guard - Marshon Brooks
Forward - Gordon Hayward
Forward - Derrick Favors
Center - Al Jefferson
Bench:
Point Guard - *Possibly Devin Harris, (With Price and Watson free agents, this is uncertain.)
Shooting Guard - C.J. Miles
Small Forward - Andrei Kirilenko
Power Forward - Paul Millsap
Center - Mehmet Okur, Ante Tomic
(The Jazz will more than likely bring in a few more role players with only 11 players listed above.)
The defensive capabilities alone of the starting lineup should be very exciting and enticing for Jazz fans. The bench is very talented and very deep as well. Give this roster a few years to develop and Utah could find itself in the midst of another championship run.
I value your opinion and appreciate your different views, please leave me some feedback. Comment!
