Wow, it’s been since the summer since either of us slackers (Ben and myself) have posted anything – even throughout this tumultuous season which I have been following every game of! I was responding to a comment on the post that describes how we got the Knicks draft pick this year, and it got me talking about the possibilities and also about the controversial Brewer trade. I thought I’d copy some of it here and expand on it a little.
First, what to think of the Ronnie Brewer trade for nothing but a future 1st round pick from the Memphis Grizzlies. Does this improve the Jazz? For now or the future? Did it hurt them? Let’s take a look at some pros and cons and then I’ll share my opinion:
PRO’s
(1) Jazz save several million dollars – Brewer’s salary, doubled because of the dollar for dollar luxury tax.
(2) Jazz get a future 1st round draft pick from the Grizz. Will it be used on another player? Or coupled with something else to acquire a much better draft pick or player?
(3) Jazz wing players AK, Wes Matthews, Kyle Korver, and CJ Miles all get more minutes, more experience and should be happier and improve with the added playing time.
(4) Jazz get SOMEthing in return for Brewer, who was somewhat likely to leave for nothing in free agency because he and the Jazz were apparently far off in new contract negotiations.
(5) Jazz don’t lose much because the play of Matthews and AK had made Brewer, and his lack of shooting expendable.
I’ve created a couple of polls to try and get a feel for what most Jazz fans, or should I say Jazz JUNKIES are HOPING for from the Jazz in next week’s NBA Draft.
Please participate and send to your friends to get them to participate. Share this through Facebook, or Myspace, or whatever – let’s see what the Fans’ consensus is! Go Jazz!
With the 2009 NBA Draft only a week away, I don’t know about anyone else, but I have been checking out every mock draft I can get my hands on because of my impatience and excitement to see whether the Jazz will get a great player.
Hopefully not! At least not this year… Though this season has been disappointing (an understatement!), I’m optimistic the Jazz can eventually get healthy and make a push for at least a playoff spot. They are however, due the New York Knicks first-round pick most likely next year. I’ll explain how we got it, and what the complicated protection clauses are.
The Utah Jazz inked their first round draft choice Kosta Koufos to a deal today. The terms were not released yet, but this is good news, simply because that’s one less thing to worry about for the Jazz AND Koufos, who can now begin practicing with the Jazz Rocky Mountain Revue team next week.
Also of interest, Deron Williams and the Jazz have met to discuss his contract extension, and I believe the two sides are very close, but D-will is just concerned with Read the rest of this entry »
Here are some video highlights of the Jazz’s 2 second round picks Ante Tomic and Tadija Dragicevic from Youtube. Also included are some clips of Kosta Koufos’s introduction to the Utah Jazz media and fans.
For a bunch more videos from Youtube, click the link to view the rest.
Wow, exactly one week later, and I’m finally able to write about the Jazz’s SECOND Round picks. Sorry, it was a really hectic week, and our internet went out for a while. On to the picks:
With the 44th pick in the 2008 Draft, the Jazz selected Ante Tomic from Croatia, and with the 53rd pick, they picked Tadija Dragicevic from Serbia.
Tomic, 21, is 7’1” and averaged 14.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in the Croatian A1 league. He has shot .581 percent on field goals over his career, including Read the rest of this entry »
Several players the Jazz had looked at were picked before the Jazz had a chance. Players such as Jason Thompson, Roy Hibbert, Marreese Speights, etc.
So with previously higher-ranked Centers DeAndre Jordan and Kosta Koufos left on the board, the Jazz took the 7’0″ Freshman Center from Ohio State. Links to player analysis and stats are below… Read the rest of this entry »
With the Draft underway, and the Jazz’s selection still about an hour and a half away, the Jazz Junkies will take another quick look at the Jazz’s draft needs, and what things could constitute the Draft being a success for the Jazz. Read the rest of this entry »
If you’re watching the Draft tomorrow at 5:00, and want to follow analysis, stats, video clips (if I can find them), and The Jazz Junkies’ opinions, be sure to have laptop or internet handy, as we will be working to compile as much information as possible as events transpire.
Or, if you don’t care about the Draft, but want to check out how the Jazz did, be sure to check back here tomorrow night and throughout the week to follow up on the night’s events and whether the Jazz had a successful 2008 Draft.
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With the 2008 NBA Draft8 days away (Next Thursday), and our Utah Jazz on the verge of winning a championship, now is the perfect time to start speculating who the Jazz may take with their first round (23rd) pick. As well as their two second round picks (44, 53) – seeing as how many good players one can find in the second round (Millsap, Boozer, Okur, and more). Check ‘em out……. Read the rest of this entry »
Although the Finals are currently being shown on T.V. (Go Boston!) Many of us Jazz fans feel cheated and feel like with the Jazz out of contention, the NBA season is over. I am one of those people, although out of my love for sports I am still watching the Finals. I mean, honestly I really do dislike the Lakers on so many levels and want the Celtics to win, but wouldn’t the Finals be so much better if it were a Jazz/Celtics championship?? With that feeling of the season being over, comes the excitement of the 2008 draft.
The Utah Jazz are currently looking at many prospects to see which player will best fit the Jazz and their future plans. One thing that is very noticeable is that most of the people they’re looking into are power forwards and centers. I couldn’t agree more with this need as we do have a few big men for our team, but the Jazz need one more big man that can really put the hurt on other big players in the league, and help push the Jazz into the NBA Championship.
Of all of the candidates, which include in no particular order, DeVon Hardin (Cal), Sasha Kaun (Kansas), Roy Hibbert (Georgetown), Brian Butch (Wisconsin), and an Australian Native Nathan Jawai, I would definitely choose Roy Hibbert. This is player that comes from a team with prestige and a great record of wins. Georgetown as of late has faired well in not only their conference but also in the “Big Dance” Roy Hibbert, is a player that would bring that much needed missing egg to the Jazz’s Championship Dozen. Aside from being 7’2″ and a great player underneath the basket, he also fairs well at shooting from outside. One particular attribute that I like about him his aggressiveness. The Jazz need another player like Paul Millsap, who fights for rebounds with no fear! If we had two players out their with that caliber of talent and play, we could finally have the much needed “inside” presence player who could help the Jazz for many years to come.
I am very excited for the Jazz and their future. I am also excited for this year’s draft. Lets all cross our fingers and hope that no other teams picks up this diamond among the rocks (Hibbert)
Roy Hibbert, the 7’2″ Center from Georgetown came in to work out for the Jazz on Wed. the 4th. Obviously the Jazz are looking at adding another Big Man prospect, and they may very well be interested in acquiring Hibbert if he’s still available to them at the 23rd pick in June 26′s draft. However, Walt Perrin, the Jazz’s Vice President of Player Personnel suggests not to read too much into it, simply because that was one of the only times they could schedule him in.
At 7’2″, averaging 13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks this season, Hibbert may be one to keep an eye on.
I’ll try to start gathering some mock drafts for you guys to check out. I love to read the mock drafts, but they’re almost impossible to predict with all of the variables of how things shake up on Draft Day (especially the later picks). But they’re still fun to see who “experts” have us taking.
