#12 Pick - Hamilton vs. Leonard vs. Fredette

[Neon Black]

Hamilton:

Almost 19 points and 8 rpg.

Via DraftExpress:

"Hamilton's biggest strengths as an NBA prospect clearly revolve around his terrific scoring instincts and shot-making ability. He has NBA-plus range on his jumper, being absolutely deadly with his feet set, and showing a quick, compact release that allows him to catch the ball and get it off in one swift motion. He's shooting almost six 3-pointers a game but is making 43% of his attempts, despite the fact that opposing defenses are almost always geared toward stopping him."

"One place where Hamilton is looking significantly better this year is as a post-scorer. The Longhorns made some fundamental changes to their offense this past season, and are now incorporating some of the Utah Jazz's Flex offense in their half-court sets."

Hamilton isn't as able as Jimmer or Kawhi driving or creating off the dribble. He puts up a lot of crazy shots, although a good # of them somehow go in. He is also toted as being a fairly weak defender with just OK lateral quickness and pretty poor fundamentals.


Leonard

15.5 points and almost 11 rpg. 6'7, strong, athletic and very long for his height. Solid defender and decent scorer...I personally don't know how well his scoring will translate to the NBA. DraftExpress states that he hits noly 25% of his catch and shoot opportunities...he'd really have to work on his jumper to be productive offensively in the Jazz's UCLA offense. He mostly scores off the dribble - I'm not sure how great of a fit he would be, especially on the court with Jefferson. He's essentially the opposite of Jordan Hamilton in almost every way.

And then there's Fredette...

[Neon Black]

I was honestly leaning toward Hamilton but after studying up and watching video on all 3...I have to go with Jimmer.

[kebutah]

We don't need a short slow PG who doesn't play defense and is less efficient than Morris Almond in college. He was a high volume low efficiency scorer in college (Fredette). Almost anybody else would be a better choice.

[babyjax13]

Leonard is a terrible shooter, and we already have a somewhat similar player in Evans. Hamilton is really inconsistent, he is a good shooter and above-average defender at the college level...but, I just have not been impressed. Which leaves me with Jimmer, who I like: I think a lot of people will be shocked by his pre-draft measurements, especially things like the 3/4 court spring, lane agility, etc.

[Knicksfan20]

Hopefully you guys pick Fredette so he isnt around when the knicks pick.

[babyjax13]

Hopefully you guys pick Fredette so he isnt around when the knicks pick.

That is most likely what will happen, but seeing as he is a New York kid it would not surprise me to see you guys pick him if he slides (and I think it would be a great fit too).

[Jazzfan12]

Leonard is a terrible shooter, and we already have a somewhat similar player in Evans. Hamilton is really inconsistent, he is a good shooter and above-average defender at the college level...but, I just have not been impressed. Which leaves me with Jimmer, who I like: I think a lot of people will be shocked by his pre-draft measurements, especially things like the 3/4 court spring, lane agility, etc.

Luke Babbitt put up shocking combine numbers as well. Rated best athlete of the 2010 draft.


He's a terrible athlete and NBA player.

[babyjax13]

Leonard is a terrible shooter, and we already have a somewhat similar player in Evans. Hamilton is really inconsistent, he is a good shooter and above-average defender at the college level...but, I just have not been impressed. Which leaves me with Jimmer, who I like: I think a lot of people will be shocked by his pre-draft measurements, especially things like the 3/4 court spring, lane agility, etc.

Luke Babbitt put up shocking combine numbers as well. Rated best athlete of the 2010 draft.


He's a terrible athlete and NBA player.

But we also know Jimmer has some legitimate NBA skills, the only question marks are his athleticism and defense, and if he is quick with his strength he has good potential on both ends of the floor.

[Paper Face]

Too early to pass judgment on Babbitt.

[kamazilla]

Knowing what attributes the Jazz value in players, I find it surprising that there is so much conjecture (everywhere-- not just on these boards) that the Jazz are enamored with Jimmer. I really hope he's not in their top 15. Personally, I'd sooner take Leonard, Hamilton and Burks, in that order.

There are also really interesting players who will be around later in the draft who would fit well with the Jazz. I would look hard at trading down and grabbing Chris Singleton. In any case, unless the Jazz get really lucky in the lottery and can move up to get Barnes or Williams, they need a wing with their second pick.

[MeestR]

it would depend what position is drafted at the 6 pick. the 6 pick should be the best available. but it would be silly to draft 2 guards in the lottery.

[QuantumMacgyver]

I went with Fredette simply because he will open things up on the inside for our bigs, a la Korver. But beyond that let's be honest, the guy would sell a lot of seats, and probably instantly have the highest jersey sales since AK was the man. Yes, even higher than D-Will. More money for the team always helps. That being said, I'd be happy with Kawhi, Burks, Hamilton.

Personally the two players I would like to see most would be Harrison Barnes and/or Terrance Jones.

[Neon Black]

Hamilton is really inconsistent, he is a good shooter and above-average defender at the college level

He's actually a pretty horrible defender, at least according to sources

[babyjax13]

Hamilton is really inconsistent, he is a good shooter and above-average defender at the college level

He's actually a pretty horrible defender, at least according to sources

I've only seen him play about three times and he was terrible all three times....but his defense looked OK (not stellar). He reminded me of CJ.

[kamazilla]

If T. Jones is there at 12, I believe you gotta take him. I was actually assuming he'll be gone by then. Given the assets the Jazz currently hold, I would be disappointed if they don't take a proactyive approach and really go after the player(s) they want, and instead just pick from whomever is available at 6 & 12.

it would depend what position is drafted at the 6 pick. the 6 pick should be the best available. but it would be silly to draft 2 guards in the lottery.

I meant if the Jazz don't land Barnes or Williams with the first pick, it will mean they got a big already or a PG. They need wing help in this draft from one of the picks, and a wing plus a PG would most definitely make sense. They are not in a position where they must go big.

[carrottop12]

I'd draft Leonard of that group I think. He does the most NBA things, good rebounder which translates, good with the ball in his hands, good athlete, nice defender, he can score also, he isn't a dominant scorer, but he definitely has the ability.

And while he didn't shoot the 3 very well, only 30% that is also 10% higher than it was the year before meaning he's worked on it significantly and it has shown to have the potential to improve, that is a good sign.

I think the comparisons to Gerald Wallace are very accurate. Crash couldn't shoot either when he came into the league and his serviceable now, but does a ton of other things well.

I'd definitely grab Leonard if I had to choose from those 3.

[StocktonShorts]

If we correct for Jimmer-homer bias this poll is a dead heat!

[eLo]

I'd definitely grab Leonard if I had to choose from those 3.

only think that we need really bad is good distance shooter so of course lets pick Leonard its seams obvious Jazz offense is so one dimensional that is hard to watch but still for some of Jimmer haters is not an argue to pick him. I don't care about the name just pick best shooter in the class.

[HammerDunk]

So the choices for me would be an undersized guard or undersized PF (Leonard can't shoot well enough to play the 3 really). I think we already have an undersized PF who was a great rebounder in college, don't need another.

Of course I'm a Jimmer homer, but I think he would do a lot for the team in terms of pub and fan excitement for at least a year or two. And if he turns out to be the long range shooter he has the potential to be that can actually put the ball on the floor, then that would be a great get for the Jazz. If his defense is as bad as it is looking (let's be honest, he was told to not play defense in college, so it could be better), then he plays 10 or so minutes a game with the 2nd unit, and that would limit the damage. Considering the spark he has the potential to be, out of the 3 you mentioned, Jimmer would be a decent choice for the Jazz.

[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

I'm not a big fan of Hamilton. He is older (if my memory serves me right) and is really undersized. To me he would just be the second coming of Jeremy Evans.

Leonard vs Fredette is a tough call. In all honesty it would come down to who we draft with our first lottery pick. Both of them fill a need and both are solid players in their own right. I doubt either of them will be all-star caliber players but both will be solid NBA players for years to come and if they unexpectedly explode in the NBA than even better.

Fredette obviously brings in more excitement since he is the local hero and so that's why I voted for him. I also feel like outside shooting is the biggest concern for the Jazz and no one we would take with our first pick is going to solve that problem so Fredette would be the guy to fill that need.

You also have to throw in Bismack now as a guy we could take at 12. Whoever we do take though I feel like we're going to get a great player with our 12th pick. I feel like the draft is much deeper than people are giving it credit for.