Don't be afraid of Kanter or Williams

[StocktonShorts]

Now Kosta is still pretty young and may develop on the Timberwolves and turn out to be a rotation guy, but he was never going to get the minutes on the Jazz.

Kosta is on the Nuggets now. He had a decent game the last game of the season against the Jazz.

[Jazzfan12]

Faried and Biyombo have few similarities.

[HammerDunk]

Still not loving Kanter, but would take Williams in an instant. Maybe is Kanter measured longer in wing and standing reach. Not sure if I like Knight more than him though.

[Neon Black]

Faried and Biyombo have few similarities.

+1

Faried is like 6'8, shorter wingspan, less athleticism, has gone through far less opposition to get to where he is. Biyombo is going to be a stud, I stand by that as strongly as I stood by Hayward last year. I don't know that we take him over Kanter, but if I had the #4 I would be intrigued.

[eLo]

i dont get all that talk about bpa, last season we win 39 games its mean we are not so bad, still i think that Jazz should pick player thats is talented but suits them( and stop throwing all the time that Bowie example, cuz is radical and for goodness sake although picking him over Jordan was mistake no matter what, his career was destroyed mostly by injures).

Picking Williams makes sens, theoretically, from every stand point, Kanter not so much, I mean talking only about best player available is same stupidity as skipping on great talent cuz you have that position loaded.

ps. Stop talking all the time about that Jazz need length and athleticism, how the heck you can put need of some certain skills against need of athleticism.

[babyjax13]

I think that guys like Kosta and BJ Mullens are going to stick in the league and become very good players. Kosta might even become the starter next year in Denver.

[hoops4life]

i dont get all that talk about bpa, last season we win 39 games its mean we are not so bad, still i think that Jazz should pick player thats is talented but suits them( and stop throwing all the time that Bowie example, cuz is radical and for goodness sake although picking him over Jordan was mistake no matter what, his career was destroyed mostly by injures).

You take the best player available in basketball. There aren't as many players on a team and on the court as in other sports. You sort things out later and make things work. Depth on the bench, is important.

BPA is 99% always the best case. Bowie of Jordan is the ultimate extreme example, yes. There are plenty of other examples, as well.

[Ming Kong!]

i dont get all that talk about bpa, last season we win 39 games its mean we are not so bad, still i think that Jazz should pick player thats is talented but suits them( and stop throwing all the time that Bowie example, cuz is radical and for goodness sake although picking him over Jordan was mistake no matter what, his career was destroyed mostly by injures).

Picking Williams makes sens, theoretically, from every stand point, Kanter not so much, I mean talking only about best player available is same stupidity as skipping on great talent cuz you have that position loaded.

ps. Stop talking all the time about that Jazz need length and athleticism, how the heck you can put need of some certain skills against need of athleticism.

We went 31-23 with Sloan, and we were already dropping like flies. We also had Deron Williams during that period. We went 8-20 afterwards. Don't get me wrong, I like our chances healthy, but we didn't even represent a 39 win team under Corbin. We don't need to draft the BPA, but it would be smart to consider making a trade if we don't need the BPA. Which would basically be Kanter.

[outerspacefella]

Well... Kanter didn't even concede an interview to the Jazz... not a very polite manner to send Jazz brass a message if you ask me, don't you think?

[Ming Kong!]

Well... Kanter didn't even concede an interview to the Jazz... not a very polite manner to send Jazz brass a message if you ask me, don't you think?

Looks like he already had an interview before, and he has a private workout scheduled with the Jazz on the 2nd of June.

I wasn't really sure about taking Kanter, but you know what. I keep hearing that he is one of the top 3 players, and the best center prospect since Oden/Howard. Gets me thinking, you know what, maybe I shouldn't be happy with Knight/Walker, which many don't see a ceiling higher than Harris, which would essentially mean wasting a pick. Now if Kanter becomes great, then we just need to eliminate Favors or Jefferson. I'm sure they would have some good trade value too.

Have you guys seen the summit video!?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YzbhAQGPqk

We're going to be able to get Williams or Kanter, I have to say, I'm pretty excited. Hope the Jazz don't screw this up!

[Jampod]

I agree with the OP and I'd like to just ask this question to see what others think but wouldn't drafting Kanter stunt Favors growth as a player? A logjam at this position isn't the greatest thing to happen in that respect. I think drafting Kanter makes it even more plausible trading either Jefferson/Millsap. I just wouldn't like seeing it go down that route.

[Ming Kong!]

BTW.. Kanter only has 5.9% body fat. http://kentuckysportsradio.com/?m=20110521

Irving and Williams are 10%, so that;s VERY impressive!

[reapaman]

Kanter to me looks like a PF than a center. More Okur than Dirk. Assuming williams is gone, I would prefer Knight or Leonard than Kanter. Kanter's measurables are nice and all but the 5.9% is not necessarily a good thing. The low body fat typically means that a player wants to keep his weight down so he can maximize what athletism he has to the fullest. Which mean he gonna be a jump shooter mostly in the NBA, which isn't horrible but if were gonna go a big, we need someone his size whos gonna play in the post, not another Okur. I don't think he would be the BPA either imo. Plus we got Tomic coming in mabey soon so I'll wait for him as another potential big.

Williams on the other hand should get his body fat down if he plans on playing SF which would be idea for us. He needs the added quickness to help improve his chances of beating the quicker wings of the dribble and defending them. He looks pretty similar to Beasely but seems more focused and polished than beasely was coming out of college, which could be pretty scary for the opposition. He's the BPA for us but as a SF. not as a PF in which I prefer Favors as the future for us in that role.

If Leonard falls to us with the 12th pick (even if we have to move up a couple spots for him) than we gotta take him even if we were lucky to draft Williams (and therefore play him at the SF position). We need a stingy defender which is something we sorely needed for the last few years, plus his shooting ability is improving steadly. Go with alec burk if leonard is just not possible. Stay clear of Jimmer or Kemba while I'm at it (unless they fall to the 2nd round or we get a late first for cheap).

BTW does anyone think Favors could/should bulk up enough to play center? Would be very interesting.

[countrybama24]

Don't be worried about a logjam of bigs. They have great trade value, Okur is about out of the door, and it really wouldnt be hard to move Jefferson for a useful piece. Also, our team is young. Al has peaked and has a ton of miles on him, I'd rather go for a more substantial rebuild than try and go back into win now mode this next season.

Kanter projects to be a better rebounder and defender than Al. I just don't trust a favor / al frontcourt s much. And to whomever suggested moving Favors earlier to clear up the log jam.... please no, he's our only elite weak side defender and has the highest upside of anyone on the roster (or in this draft imo). He is our future.

[outerspacefella]

... I'd rather go for a more substantial rebuild than try and go back into win now mode this next season...

- This is a concept Jazz brass should explore.
- Favors/Hayward are the only untouchables in my eyes

[erudite23]

Kanter to me looks like a PF than a center. More Okur than Dirk. Assuming williams is gone, I would prefer Knight or Leonard than Kanter. Kanter's measurables are nice and all but the 5.9% is not necessarily a good thing. The low body fat typically means that a player wants to keep his weight down so he can maximize what athletism he has to the fullest. Which mean he gonna be a jump shooter mostly in the NBA, which isn't horrible but if were gonna go a big, we need someone his size whos gonna play in the post, not another Okur. I don't think he would be the BPA either imo. Plus we got Tomic coming in mabey soon so I'll wait for him as another potential big.

Williams on the other hand should get his body fat down if he plans on playing SF which would be idea for us. He needs the added quickness to help improve his chances of beating the quicker wings of the dribble and defending them. He looks pretty similar to Beasely but seems more focused and polished than beasely was coming out of college, which could be pretty scary for the opposition. He's the BPA for us but as a SF. not as a PF in which I prefer Favors as the future for us in that role.

This is some of the biggest fail I have ever seen on this board. Holy Toledo, is that you?


So being in shape and ripped is now...a BAD sign? By your logic, Dwight Howard, Kevin Garnett, and Amare Stoudemire would all be "jump shooters" who are trying to maximize their efficiency and not play in the paint. I'm absolutely dumbfounded that this came out of the brain of a fully evolved human brain.

Because of your preconceived notions, you just found a way to bull **** yourself into saying that Kanter being in great shape is a bad thing and Derrick Williams being fat and out of shape is great for his prospects of making a positional change that requires added mobility. Congratulations.

[reapaman]

So being in shape and ripped is now...a BAD sign? By your logic, Dwight Howard, Kevin Garnett, and Amare Stoudemire would all be "jump shooters" who are trying to maximize their efficiency and not play in the paint. I'm absolutely dumbfounded that this came out of the brain of a fully evolved human brain.

Because of your preconceived notions, you just found a way to bull **** yourself into saying that Kanter being in great shape is a bad thing and Derrick Williams being fat and out of shape is great for his prospects of making a positional change that requires added mobility. Congratulations.

All I was saying is that if Kanter planned on playing in the post he would have to add more weight to make up for his lack of athleticism. When he faces off against guys who are just as big/taller/strong ect.. as him, what is he gonna do to score on them, use his quickness? No, he's gonna have to find another way to score so he's most likely gonna result to jumpshooting if he can't use his weight to get an advantage. The guys you mentioned are very athletic, reducing weight doesn't hurt them nealy as much as Kanter. No matter how much weight Kanter loses, He's never gonna be like those guys. Its like how when guys get older and lose their athletism, many of them resort to shooting more jump shots to make up for their lack of athleticism ala how Kevin Garnett did as he got older. In this case Kanter will be doing that from the beginning. Yea he's 259 lbs now but he was about 250 when he was in "basketball shape" during his international play right before his "college season" (being in shape in general and basketball shape is different). You usually lose 5 - 10 lbs throughout the season, so yes his body fat could and likely will get lower during the season. 250 makes him average for his size which is no advantage in the paint.

And read the Williams thing again, I said he needs to get his body fat down if he's gonna play SF. I didn't contradict myself.

[countrybama24]

All I was saying is that if Kanter planned on playing in the post he would have to add more weight to make up for his lack of athleticism. When he faces off against guys who are just as big/taller/strong ect.. as him, what is he gonna do to score on them, use his quickness? No, he's gonna have to find another way to score so he's most likely gonna result to jumpshooting if he can't use his weight to get an advantage. The guys you mentioned are very athletic, reducing weight doesn't hurt them nealy as much as Kanter. No matter how much weight Kanter loses, He's never gonna be like those guys. Its like how when guys get older and lose their athletism, many of them resort to shooting more jump shots to make up for their lack of athleticism ala how Kevin Garnett did as he got older. In this case Kanter will be doing that from the beginning. Yea he's 259 lbs now but he was about 250 when he was in "basketball shape" during his international play right before his "college season" (being in shape in general and basketball shape is different). You usually lose 5 - 10 lbs throughout the season, so yes his body fat could and likely will get lower during the season. 250 makes him average for his size which is no advantage in the paint.

And read the Williams thing again, I said he needs to get his body fat down if he's gonna play SF. I didn't contradict myself.

Dude, he's 19. How much weight did you add after your freshmen year?

With a great frame and low body fat (it's not just about size, but strength, and an all-muscle 260 is pretty damn strong), I see no reason why he wouldn't add at least 15-20 in a couple of years to become a marc gasol-esque 265-270 or even bigger (he weighed in at 259). He's also a legit 6 '11 in shoes, which is just as big as noah and bigger than at least 70% of the centers he would face. He's shown a ton of skill, solid mobility for someone that size, and an ability to draw fouls, stretch the floor, rebound and a solid array of post-moves. It's his skill level that allows him to score against more athletic defenders. Look at some video, and you see he's not beating up on people with athleticism. He's drawing contact (something the NBA rewards to a comical degree nowadays), being patient, and using his skill set and touch. Those things translate. There are a lot of 6 '10 250 guys in europe... none currently have dominated at such a young age as kanter.

Also, he's more athletic than you think. At the hoop summit, which he dominated, he had a sore back and could barely get off the ground. He got in better shape this year, and Chad Ford and other people watching the combine have commented on how his athleticism is underrated for a guy his size.

For example...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO6clOC_9Dw

I think the combine athleticism tests will show he's a lot quicker than your average 6 '11 center.

I cannot stress enough how being 19 should color your opinion of his resume. Sure, he's not gonna dominate day 1. He's probably not rookie of the year. I'm still really happy with him at 3.