[JazzinSLCParticipant]

Here is how I think the top 8 picks will likely unfold:
1. Wall
2. Turner
3. Favors
4. Johnson
5. Cousins
6. Monroe
7. Udoh
8. Aminu

By the day, I’m feeling stronger about those picks. Then comes the Jazz at 9. I think it’s between Babbitt, Aldrich, and Henry. They seem to REALLY like these three guys. I think they select Xavier Henry. They seem to have major concerns about how Babbitt will defend, and they realize Aldrich will never be much of an offensive force. I hear they love everything about Henry’s game. He’s a solid defender, intelligent, good work ethic, NBA ready body, good shooter, and he’s only 19 years old. He seems to have the complete package. He can contribute on both ends of the floor. He’s also known to be a good character guy. Apparently, Sloan was very impressed with his workouts with the team, according to people in the press like Ross Siler, and David Locke. Also Walt Perrin seemed to gush over him. I think if Udoh and Monroe are off the board he may be there guy.

[JNixonParticipant]

Why do you make so many of the same topics? Just curious

[JazzinSLCParticipant]

Enuf said.

[wesleymatthews23Participant]

I heard the exact opposite. I heard that Babbitt impresses them. I have concerns about Henry being a chucker, and I also think that Henry is not worth a top ten pick. They are definitely deciding between Udoh, Aldrich, Babbitt and Henry. I believe Babbitt is tops with Utah. The only problem Babbitt does nothing to address our depth down low. We need a defensive big man. I hope a trade comes at the end of the first round so that we get Sanders from whoever selects him in the mid 20s. He averaged over 4 blocks a game, even more than Udoh did.
To me Henry is more of a 2, and we are loaded at that position. Matthews, Miles, Korver. Why do we think we traded away Brewer. Part of it was to free up room for surprise rookie Matthews and help Miles develop even more. Won’t selecting Henry just confuse the pile of 2’s even more? I’d rather have Babbitt than Henry.

[White ChocolateParticipant]

JazzinSLC you copied this from me, that is what I was wondering a couple of days ago.

http://www.nbadraft.net/forum/utah-jazz-fans-cole-aldrich-or-patrick-patterson

Anyway I have changed my mind I believe Utah will draft Cole Aldrich or Luke Babbitt and I think either one would be a good fit for the Jazz.

[wesleymatthews23Participant]

If that is the case cousinsfan11, than select Babbitt. I still have my doubts that Aldrich is just a smaller Greg Ostertag. That guy pretty much cost us a championship in the late 90’s. GRRRR.

[JazzinSLCParticipant]

Merely agreeing with you. The real mystery is who Detroit takes at 7. The Jazz will be watching that pick very carefully. They could go so many different ways. I agree with you that Udoh makes as much sense for them as anybody. I’m just thinking Aldrich, Henry and Babbitt are all likely to be available at 9 (even though a couple mocks have the Clippers selecting Babbitt at 8). I agree that Henry doesn’t fill a need really, but I’m just reporting what i’ve heard that they really like him a great deal. They wouldn’t have to resign Korver if they drafted him, and that would save them a great deal of money.

[Captain LParticipant]

We need to hope Udoh is available, that is where the biggest need is(PF), Babbitt would be a good choice, I love his game, I have said several times that to me Henry is a clone of CJ and although he is a good player, there are several other players I would rather see them draft. If Babbitt went to the Clips, George should be available and I would rather see us take him than Henry.
I ‘m not saying Aldrich won’t be a decent player but I can’t see him playing ahead of Fes or KK right off the bat. Even Williams sat the bench for a good part of his rookie season. I don’t see Aldrich being good enough to bump Fes or KK.
Davis is another possibility (although I’m not that high on him personally), he is athletic, but is a project. I would probably rather see us pick Davis though than Aldrich, Milsap and AK could handle the PF this year while Davis develops.

[He got BrainParticipant]

I think the jazz would do well to draft Babitt at 9 and try to grab a late first rounder with the hope that a defensie big they like will still be on the big board – Whiteside, Sanders etc…

[JazzinSLCParticipant]

In fact, they are rather conspicuous by their absence. Everyone by now knows how I feel about Aldrich, but my personal feelings aside, he is better then Fes or KK already, and would undoubtedly start in place of them until Okur returned. Get used to the idea of Henry Captain L, because I give it a 1 in 3 chance he ends up being our guy.

[JazzinSLCParticipant]

Then it would most likely be between Aldrich and Henry. I have no idea where the Jazz stand on George or Davis. But if they don’t come in for a workout before the draft, I don’t think the Jazz will select either guy.

[FDAPO]

The Jazz need to take Cole Aldrich if Aminu and Babbit are gone…. even Paul george..

If they take Udoh I think thatd be a terrible pick

[kanebangerParticipant]

qq cousinsfag11

[Captain LParticipant]

You need to make an arguement for your statement!! I think most Jazz fans interested in this draft would disagree.

[Mr.Knick 32Participant]

Why everytime you post, it’s about Utah? Come on man…it’s everyday with that. Take a break man.

[Captain LParticipant]

Why do you complain about someone posting about the Jazz? If you don’t like talking about the Jazz and what they need , don’t come on these posts. To me it is obvious by your comments that you don’t have a pulse for what the Jazz need.

Re JazzinSLC , As a Jazz fan I appreciate the oppurtunity to discuss the draft and the players that the Jazz could end up drafting. Keep up the good work.

[Mr.Knick 32Participant]

I complain because it happens every damn day. I mean come on. I know Utah Jazz fans created thier own forums by now. Go there. It’s every day now.

Plus, Utah needs a player above 6-10 who can play the post. Sounds like Cole Aldrich or Daniel Orton to me. You want Udoh? A finesse big man? Really? Alright…guess you don’t want to beat LA.

[j1232eParticipant]

you are a disgrace in jazz nation stop with this bullshit, you are making my jazz nation look bad, I would enjoy for you to never talk about my team, because obviously you dont have a clue about what the team needs!

[Mr.Knick 32Participant]

Wait a minute….Udoh going 7? Don’t worry about that, that will never happen.

[wesleymatthews23Participant]

RE: knicksboy32
There are two Jazz needs, one you are aware about and the other one maybe not but you have been warned about it by this post. Yes we need a defensive bigman that is 6’10 or above. The smallest bigman on the Lakers (odom) is 6’10. This is why a ton of us like Udoh and want the jazz to draft him. He can play defense very well, he loves to block shots, plays hard, and of course he is bigman too. Besides there are only 4 bigman that are above 6’10. Aldrich, Monroe, Cousins and Whitside. Cousins and Monroe are likely to be gone by the time the 9th pick rolls around. Cousins isn’t even remotely close to the guy we want because of his attitude problems. Whiteside is also not a likely because the Jazz are not a team to select projects like he is. Besides he had a horrible workout with the Jazz. Most Jazz fans including myself think Aldrich is just a smalller version of Greg Ostertag. You may think that is false and not true about him, but that is what we think, and I think the Jazz themselves have placed someone else above him on their draft board. The other need we have is someone to replace Korver and to start in place of AK when he gets hurt. We usually use Miles but he is too small for the 3 and better as a two. This is why Henry, Babbitt and George are also possible jazz picks. When you see one of those three being our pick it is not because we dont want to get past the Lakers, for we deeply do, but more of the fact that those guys also fill a need and have impressed more in their workouts than Aldrich, or Whiteside has. We might do a trade later on in the first round to get a guy like Sanders or Alabi to fill our need for a defensive big man.

Re JazzinSLC
Just because George has not been to a workout does not mean he won’t get picked by us. Last year’s draft pick, Eric Maynor, also never went to a Jazz workout before the draft yet he was our pick. I know he was traded in mid december but you and me both know that the Jazz hated doing it but it had to be done in order to free up money to resign Booz this offseason. Captain L is right about Henry. He is a clone of CJ Miles, and I also think he is a chucker and you and me both know how much Sloan hates chuckers. I like that he plays a little defense as well, but I can’t shake the thought that he will struggle his first few years because of his age. He may have an NBA ready body, but even at Kansas he looked lost in the shuffle and seemed to go through the motions. That’s not the kind of guy we want. To me George or Babbitt are more likely picks than Henry is. In terms of SF’s I believe this is what our draft board looks like:
Babbitt
George
Henry

[Mr.Knick 32Participant]

I disagree still. There are more wings on the FA market you can bring in with the MLE. I think it’s tough to lure bigs to Utah. There highly paid and Utah doesn’t have alot of cap room. Udoh is not a top 10 pick IMO. He had 1 good season. How is he Lamar Odom? He averaged 3 assists per game. I’m not taking him at 9. He’s not a top 10 prospect IMO.

[Captain LParticipant]

If you don’t like the fact that Jazz fans post on here about the draft and the players they think would be a good fit, then don’t come on these posts. It is rediculous to complain about someone posting about the Jazz and the draft, if you don’t like it stay off these posts. Like I said before, it is easy to see you don’t have a clue what the Jazz need most. If you want to discuss and defend your opinion , your welcome to join us but don’t complain because someone wants to discuss opinions and recieve news pertaining to the subjects they are interested in.
As far as Aldrich or Orton are concerned they are both pretty good players but not what I see as the biggest need for the Jazz. With the probability of Boozer leaving, the Jazz need to draft a quality PF (not a center), Udoh would be a great fit, he is tall, long, athletic, defensive minded, a shot blocker, a good passer, can shoot from pretty much anywhere inside the college 3, has good handles, he’s a pretty complete player. I’m not comparing him to Aldrich or Orton when it comes to bangers. We have two 7 footers that can bang. In 2011 we will be able to bring Ante Tomic over from Europe and he is 7’2″ , long and has a game that compares to Gasol (obviously not as complete or polished , but something to hope for). With Fes and KK still young and just needing development, the Jazz greatest need is at PF.

[Mr.Knick 32Participant]

I never said a actual position. I said anyone over 6-10 is good. Once you establish that, then I pick my favorite post player from that list.

To be honest, I would take Aldrich then move Okur to the 4. That kills 2 birds with one stone.

[Captain LParticipant]

Isn’t it great to have an opinion!! Why would you want to add a player like Aldrich when we already have , Okur, Fes and KK (if the Jazz sign Fes) and if Boozer leaves we will only have Milsap as a true PF. AK can play PF but his contract is up after this year and he could be trade bait during the year with his exspiring contract. We need to play for the future. We have 3 centers and 1 PF, it is pretty obvious to most of us what the Jazz greatest needs are.

[Captain LParticipant]

Your last comment to move Okur to the 4 is a plausible option but not something I want to be forced to do all the time. Plus the biggest factor for me is Udoh is a more complete, more versatile player with greater potential. Don’t tell me Udho is 23 and Aldrich is 20 or 21 therefore Aldrich has more potential. If you don’t have any athleticism like Aldrich it is hard to see him having much room for improvement. Udoh has a pretty complete game and just needs to get stronger and add a few pounds and he will be far better than Aldrich could possibly be. Aldirch is very limited as to what he is capable of doing or becoming.

[Mr.Knick 32Participant]

I don’t see the potential for Udoh. What’s his prime numbers if he hits his prime. Give me a estimate please.

[Captain LParticipant]

David Locke is the talk show host for Kfan, the Jazz flagship radio station, plus he took over for Hot Rod Hundley as the radio broadcast voice for all the games last year and he has done some evaluations of several of the players on the radar for the Jazz. Udoh being one of them and he thinks Udoh could average 15 pts as a rookie, I think he could easily average 15 to 20 pts and 8 to 10 rebounds in a couple of years, plus he has a defensive mind set and is a good shot blocker. Like I said he has alot more potential than Aldrich, IMO.

[White ChocolateParticipant]

Captain L Udoh is 23 so I think what you see is what you get… with Aldrich he could improve his scoring so I think he has more potential I am not saying he is the better player but he has more potential.

[JNixonParticipant]

I love Udoh’s game, but if Ekpe Udoh averages 15 ppg as a rookie, I will NEVER get on this site again. Ever for the rest of my life. Udoh also won’t be the defender Aldrich will be. And PLEASE stop comparing Udoh to Lamar Odom. Udoh doesn’t have Odom’s perimeter game, and isn’t that kind of ball-handler and passer. He’s better than average at those things for a big man, but Odom is near guard-like in his handle and passing.

This Dave Locke guy you just spoke of is someone you shouldn’t listen to. He probably was the happiest man alive when Morris Almond made those 91/100 3-pointers in that workout too. Thought he was the next Kobe Bryant.

[butidonthavemoney]

I know of David Locke… That guy has no idea what he’s talking about. I can’t stand him.

He’s like a Utah-exclusive version of Chad Ford.

Shudders.

[cycloParticipant]

The Jazz can try drafting 7’0″ Hamady N’diaye in the 2nd round at #55.

#9 Luke Babbitt 6-9 SF (most skilled offensive forward in the draft, good work ethic)
#55 Hamady N’diaye 7-0 C (4.5 blocks per game at Rutgers, good work ethic)

The Jazz could be gushing about Xavier Henry because they don’t want the Clippers to take Luke Babbitt. I find it hard to believe the Jazz would openly gush about a player they like. If Babbitt’s there, the Jazz may take him. If the Clippers take Babbitt, the Jazz should take Paul George, in my opinion. It would be nice to have a multi-skilled 6-9 shooter at SF. Babbitt or George.

Really, Xavier Henry will be a good NBA player, but he’s a SG, not a SF, and the Jazz aren’t going to win anything with undersized CJ Miles and non-shooter Andrei Kirilenko at SF. For the Jazz to go against need and draft another 6-6 SG, the Jazz would have to be convinced that Henry is the second coming of Brandon Roy.

[Captain LParticipant]

I agree with you about Henry, it would be very frustrating to me to see the Jazz Draft Henry or Aldrich, that is not to say both won’ t be quality players but we have greater needs than what those two players can give us.
I don’t know why everybody is hating on Udoh, his skills speak for themsevles. And at 23 he isn’t close to a finishes product.
Read what people have to say about both players and you’ll see most people think Udoh dispite his age still has a good upside. Udoh has developed his skills to the point he can do pretty much anything you want. He has good handles, he can drive and pull up for a jumper (more like a wing), he has good range, he has a good post up fade away jumper, he can use his left or right hand around the basket. He is a good passer , that’s on the offensive side, he loves defense, is a good shot blocker 3.7, and lead the big 12 in rebounding. What’s not to like. All he needs to do to improve is get stronger and gain 10 to 15 pounds.

[cycloParticipant]

Some people have compared Aldrich to a shorter version of Ostertag.

3 inches shorter to be exact.

The funny thing is, if Ostertag were 3 inches shorter he would have been out of the league!

Yikes!

[Captain LParticipant]

I’m not a big fan of Locke’s either but you wanted predictions of what Udoh might be able to do and instead of just giving you my opinion, I gave you an opinion of someone who does this for a living and spends alot of time researching etc. I have watched , played , coached longer than Locke has been alive and like my own opinions alot better than his but I thought his name might get a rise out of some people. (and it did).
cyclo, I like your last idea of Babbitt and N’diaye, it wouldn’t be bad other than our most pressing need is to replace Boozer, if we don’t sign Boozer , Milsap will be the only true PF on the team. Okur (when he gets healthy) could fill in at 4 but we need to draft a 4 if there is a good one still on the board and this draft is pretty deep at the PF position. I still like your thinking with Babbitt and N’diaye though. I like George too but I like Babbitt a little better. I agree about Henry, he is a 2 not a 3 and a clone of CJ.

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

Q, it’s ironic that you say stop saying Udoh will be Odom, when I’m pretty sure I saw you post that Udoh’s best potential would be Odom.

Utah is taking Babbitt. maybe hayward. My vote is still for Patterson, he at least has a jumper

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

cyclo, height couldn’t matter less. Aldrich is long as hell. He has a 7’5 wingspan (almost) and a 9’3 standing reach. shut up.

[cycloParticipant]

Height does matter at the C position.
If a player doesn’t have height, he must have athleticism.
If a player doesn’t have athleticism, he must have strength.

Aldrich is undersized (6-9), unathletic (23 inch no step vertical, 28 inch max vertical), and physically too weak (just 10 reps on bench press — same as Gordon Hayward).

A good C prospect needs either height, athleticism or physical strength to be an effective starting C in the NBA and Aldrich has none of the above.

Doesn’t have the height.
Doesn’t have the athleticism to make up for the lack of height.
Doesn’t have the strength to make up for the lack of athleticism.

= backup material.

[xbadgerhustlerParticipant]

first premise is wrong. wingspan and standing reach matter.

[Author]

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