If you're hoping that the Jazz land Derrick Williams, then you have to hope that Kevin O'Connor made him an offer for the second pick as they were standing up on stage at the draft lottery. According to Chad Ford, they're already trying to trade the pick,
I think this pick will be a three-way race among Williams, Enes Kanter and Bismack Biyombo. Of the three, Williams has the strongest pedigree and ultimately should be an upgrade over Michael Beasley. But don't be surprised if Kahn trades the pick. I'm already hearing from sources that Minnesota has told people it's very open to moving the second pick. Kahn really wants to add some veteran help to the team.
Rumors are already starting that the Pacers could be trying to move Danny Granger and their pick for Ricky Rubio and the #2 pick according to Sam Amico.
If the Wolves are looking for a vet for that second pick, do the Jazz have anything to offer? Well, the #3 pick is a lot more valuable than any other pick they could get, especially in this draft. If the Wolves and Jazz were able to swap picks, Minnesota could still pick up Enes Kanter.
What about the veteran though that Kahn would want? Does the Jazz have anyone that would work for them? I don't see it. Minny isn't going to want Jefferson, Memo, or Bell (unless it was to make salaries work). I don't see them taking Devin Harris. The only other veterans that the Jazz have are Paul Millsap and CJ Miles (team option).
The #3 pick and Millsap would be too much in my opinion. That would leave CJ Miles and the #3. I don't know if that's enough to get the deal done and I don't know if that's more than Granger and Indy's pick.
Does the #3 and #12 pick get a deal done? Is that too much? That #3 pick plus much of anything almost seems like too much for Williams.
What I would love to see (not really though) is the Cavs take Williams (won't happen) and then see Kahn's face as suddenly Kyrie Irving becomes available and he's forced to make a choice like that. Would he take him? Trade? Or would Irving fall to Utah?
Draft Express has interviews of Enes Kanter, Brandon Knight and Derrick Williams
Derrick Williams Draft Combine Interview (via DraftExpress)
Enes Kanter Draft Combine Interview (via DraftExpress)
Brandon Knight Draft Combine Interview (via DraftExpress)
According to Chad Ford on ESPN 700 yesterday (mp3), the Jimmer "floated" and may not have been going full speed. He doesn't think it really hurt his draft stock much but points out that that's why some players elect not to work out in this part of the combine.
Where Jimmer is going to make his biggest impression is in interviews (which he had last night with the Jazz) and in individual workouts.
Thurl Bailey spoke at the Lion's Club Awards event in Kemmerer, WY Wednesday. He spoke of how his mother, like so many NBA players' mothers, pushed him to be the best. One of the best parts of his speech though was how he got interested in basketball. He didn't play despite being 6' 4" and putting on a size 15 shoe. That is until he stopped to watch what his dad was watching on TV one day. From The Little Chicago Review,
A very interesting note is that he wasn't interested in basketball until he was in the seventh grade. At that time he was 6' 4" tall and wore a size 15 shoe. He recalled how he had walked through the living room of his home where his dad, who had played basketball, was watching a basketball game. Someone caught his eye. A player for one of the teams, "with an afro out to here, (he stretched out his long arms to full length) and he was holding a basketball in one hand was making it look like a grapefruit . He put the ball where ever he wanted, he was unstoppable."
He said that was when his "pilot light" was lite and he wanted to be that player. Not knowing anything about basketball he asked his dad who he was. The answer "Dr. J". He came back with "I didn't know Drs. could play basketball."
Julius Irving, (Dr. J.), according to Bailey one of the greatest, if not the greatest, basketball player in the world. He became Bailey's mentor, the man he wanted to be.
I'm sure his father tried to get him into basketball, but it took an all-time great to convince him to play.
Sloan had a lot of say in the draft. He was the one that made the case for taking Deron Williams over Chris Paul. So I wonder what kind of pull Tyrone Corbin will have. While he made no mention of names to Brian T. Smith, he did offer up what kind of player he's looking for,
Thus, while Kanter owns the pre-draft buzz and the 18-year-old Knight has ascended into most mock top-fives, [Kemba] Walker's résumé and stunning run carrying the Huskies to the 2011 NCAA men's basketball title appear to line up more with Corbin's initial desires.
"Those guys usually come out and continue to compete because they have something to prove," said Corbin, who references Hayward's work ethic as an ideal.
"They have a chip on their shoulder, and they believe in themselves. And they don't usually feel sorry for themselves and just say, ‘You're holding me back,' and they stop working. They want to prove they belong."
I hope in this case he doesn't have pull. Walker won't be around at 12 and shouldn't be taken at 3. You want guys with work ethic and players with that "something to prove" mentality, but you still have to have talent.
Stockton and Malone were probably two of the hardest working players of all time. Gordon Hayward is no doubt a hard worker. But they also have the talent. Matt Harpring was no doubt a hard worker as well but lacked some natural talent.
The players that get discussed in the lottery range normally have that hard-work ethic; that's why they're at the position they are. There are exceptions of course but you don't get into the discussion for the top 5 unless you've worked your butt off to get there.
The Jazz will take the best player available at #3 and that shouldn't be Walker.