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It's the draft edition of TBLINATWIATNIATU. Mock drafts and analysis abound! Abound I tell you!
Right now, it looks like Brandon Knight is the overwhelming favorite. We'll start with this one here and more links after the jump
2011 NBA Mock Draft - ESPN - Chad Ford (Insider)
Brandon Knight Analysis: The Jazz could go in a number of directions. They have a need at small forward (and would love it, by the way, if Derrick Williams fell to them) and at center. And while they like Devin Harris at point guard, they're not sure he's the long-term answer. For that reason, I think Knight has a good chance of being the pick. Knight might not have the NCAA pedigree of Kemba Walker, but he is a high-character player, has good size for the position, defends well and can really shoot.
HoopsHype - NBA Draft 2011 - Jazz select Brandon Knight
Utah GM Kevin O'Connor has been enamored with Knight since the season began and now is in position to grab him as a replacement to Deron Williams. Knight is an absolute gym rat and a tremendous kid who will work hard on his game. The NBA has become a PG-dominated league and Knight has the size and speed to be a standout at the position. He may have some holes and take time to round into a complete point guard, but it's hard to argue with opting for such a strong competitor and character guy here. A clutch shooter, Knight has go to ability with his quick first step and ability to create shots. Long rated at the top or near the top of his class, Knight has elite level speed and quickness for a player his size. Despite lacking much leaping ability, he's a prolific scorer with a killer instinct. Knight has a professional mindset, always looking for ways to improve his game and has worked extremely hard in the weight room resulting in a chiseled physique. He's a big-time shooter, but detractors point to his lack of passing ability/point guard skills. An excellent end to the year guiding UK to the SEC title and two game winners in the NCAA tourney taking them to the Final Four have his stock on the rise.
2011 NBA Mock Draft: Kyrie Irving A No-Brainer First Pick - SBNation.com
. Utah Jazz (via New Jersey Nets): Enes Kanter, C, Turkey Kanter might not be the perfect center to match with Al Jefferson or Paul Millsap, but the Jazz had stayed with the "best player available" strategy in the past, and depending on who you read, Kanter could be it. Whoever picks him will be relying mostly on the workout season and combine measurements as he hasn't played competitive basketball in a couple years. He's perhaps the biggest question mark on the board in the top 10.
Locked On Jazz - Official Site Utah Jazz
The Jazz will likely have to make three base decisions in this draft. First how do they order the point guards Kyrie Irving, Brandon Knight and Kemba Walker. I would put Knight and Irving on the same level (though I need to see more) and Walker a considerable step below. I have always felt that by the end of this process Brandon Knight would be the #1 point guard if not the #1 player in the draft.
DraftExpress: Mock Draft - Utah Jazz select Brandon Knight
Utah GM Kevin O'Connor has been enamored with Knight since the season began and now is in position to grab him as a replacement to Deron Williams. Knight is an absolute gym rat and a tremendous kid who will work hard on his game. The NBA has become a PG-dominated league and Knight has the size and speed to be a standout at the position. He may have some holes and take time to round into a complete point guard, but it's hard to argue with opting for such a strong competitor and character guy here. A clutch shooter, Knight has go to ability with his quick first step and ability to create shots. Long rated at the top or near the top of his class, Knight has elite level speed and quickness for a player his size. Despite lacking much leaping ability, he's a prolific scorer with a killer instinct. Knight has a professional mindset, always looking for ways to improve his game and has worked extremely hard in the weight room resulting in a chiseled physique. He's a big-time shooter, but detractors point to his lack of passing ability/point guard skills. An excellent end to the year guiding UK to the SEC title and two game winners in the NCAA tourney taking them to the Final Four have his stock on the rise.e.
Mock draft: In act of lunacy, first attempt at first round | NBA.com
Utah Jazz | Jonas Valanciunas | C | Lietuvos Rytas
Too much talent and potential to pass up; the Jazz have to replace the fading Mehmet Okur and give Derrick Favors a partner in crime up front.
As usual, center crop has bevy of high risk-reward prospects | NBA.com
Jazz GM: Nobody in the draft as good as Deron Williams | New York Daily News
"Who knows (if any of the draft picks will be as good as Deron Williams)? I know one thing. I know how good Deron Williams is. I don’t think you can say that about anybody in this draft," he said. "I don’t think (getting the third pick) validates anything as far as the trade goes. I think we accepted the fact of the risk-reward, with being able to re-sign Deron. And I thought getting Devin and getting Derrick were things that were a key part, and then, whatever else we got was luck, to be honest with you. "We gave up a terrific player – a guy that wants to win and has won playoff series for us."
NBA Draft 2011: Enes Kanter, Jonas Valanciunas Lead Way In 'Year Of Big Men' - SBNation.com
The 2011 NBA Draft could see eight or more big men taken in the first 14 picks, more than in any of the past six years. Players like Enes Kanter and Jonas Valanciunas could make this The Year of the Big Men.
Post-lottery NBA mock draft - NBA - Yahoo! Sports
Kemba Walker PG
21 years old; 6'0"; 180 lbs
Connecticut, junior
The Jazz need a point guard in a major way, preferably one who can play alongside incumbent Devin Harris. They'll have a choice between Walker and Brandon Knight, a tough decision that won't come for some time. Drafting the biggest winner in college basketball is a good idea for a team that desperately needs to find a new identity after losing the two biggest personalities on their team in coach Jerry Sloan and franchise player Deron Williams.
2011 NBA Mock Draft - Sam Amick - SI.com - Brandon Knight
Brandon Knight - The Deron Williams trade with New Jersey in February was the foundation of the rebuilding effort, and now Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor needs to find his new point guard of the future for the post-Devin Harris era. Enter Knight, a quality two-way player with shooting range and an ability to distribute.
N.B.A. Draft Lottery Could Create More Problems Than Solutions - NYTimes.com
The Minnesota Timberwolves have the best chance of winning the No. 1 pick Tuesday, but doing so could limit their options.