All right Jazz fans, convince me Knight is the right pick

[jazzfan1971]

I'm fully in the 'take who ever falls of Irving, Williams, or Kanter' camp. But, I realize a lot of you are in the Knight camp. So, without tearing down Kanter, tell me what it is about Knight and his game that makes you think he's the best pick.

Non-Jazz fans, just stay away please. I know you all are dying for the Jazz to take Knight at #3 so that Kanter/Williams/Irving falls to your team. I know. But, telling me here won't make it happen. I'm just interested in Jazz fan's opinions.

[carrottop12]

He's good, young, smart, and is only going to get better.

[babyjax13]

I'm not a fan, but I would not be opposed if KOC thinks he is the BPA. I was proven wrong with Evans and Hayward, I would hope to be proven wrong again.

[jazzfan1971]

Ok, best case scenario, who do you think he compares to?

[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

He's not the right pick so no convincing needed

But no...if I was to try and convince you, I would say take him because of his physical tools and youth/potential...I guess...

[babyjax13]

Ok, best case scenario, who do you think he compares to?

That's pretty tough to put a finger on because he really is somewhat of a unique talent. I'll just go by production and say somewhere around a prime Mike Bibby (EDIT: and actually, now that I think about it, some aspects of their games are similar - although some are very different too). Knight has a couple more things going for him, but he's also pretty raw too. I'll be interested to see how he turns out, I'd just rather have Kanter/Williams/Irving, to be quite honest. If we were sitting with the fourth pick I would be happy drafting Knight, but I also think there is a very clear top three.
EDIT:
Best: Mike Bibby
Worst: Mike James
Middle of the Road: Antonio Daniels with a jumper

These are the best I can think of right now, probably not the greatest, but hey, at least I tried

[jazzfan1971]

I always thought of Bibby as a competent all around player with a terrific jumpshot. Is that how you think 'best case' Knight projects?

[babyjax13]

Pretty much. I think he's got a bit more ability to get to the rim, but let's not forget that prime Bibby was a top 7 point guard http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... ymi01.html (see 2003-04 to 2006-07).

[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

That's funny that you're comparing Knight to Bibby....I was thinking just the other night that Bibby would be a good comparison to Fredette

[babyjax13]

That's funny that you're comparing Knight to Bibby....I was thinking just the other night that Bibby would be a good comparison to Fredette

I think Jimmer is a bit more explosive athlete, but that certainly doesn't make him a better player or prospect. I still think the best comparison, again - my opinion - for Fredette is Steph Curry.

[taj2133]

Knick fan here i think knight is your pick because kemba walker cancel his workout with the kings for thursday against jimmer. This also means to me look like the timberwolves are sold on kanter and going draft him with there 2 pick.

Kemba Walker Cancels Sacramento Kings NBA Draft Workout Against Jimmer Fredette


Kemba Walker had his first draft workout on Friday in Charlotte. (Icon SMI)
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NBA Draft Chatter: Workout Tour

By Ryan Feldman
rfeldman@thehoopsreport.com

Saturday, June 04, 2011
Earlier this week, it was reported that Kemba Walker would be working out against Jimmer Fredette in Sacramento for the Kings next week.

That workout will be Thursday, June 9, a source told TheHoopsReport.com.

But there's only one problem: Kemba Walker won't be there.

Walker has pulled out of his scheduled Kings workout against Fredette, a source told TheHoopsReport.com.

The workout will still go on as planned on Thursday with Fredette and a group of other players.

Walker just completed his first draft workout with the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday. He went head-to-head with Shelvin Mack, and according to sources both players were very impressive.

According to a source, the Bobcats really like Walker. But the problem is that they also really like their current point guard, DJ Augustin. They would certainly consider Walker at No. 9 if he was available, but they would also strongly consider passing him up. The Bobcats have a lot of needs, and point guard is the one position they're actually happy with, according to a source.

Even if the Bobcats gave Walker a promise, there would be no reason for him to cancel a workout with the Kings, who draft higher than Charlotte at No. 7.

And it would be unlikely that Walker got a promise from a team drafting before the Kings between the Bobcats workout (Friday) and now (one day later).

A source confirmed to TheHoopsReport.com that Walker is not injured, so that is not why he cancelled the workout with the Kings.

The only other reason Kemba (and his agent Jeff Schwartz) may have cancelled the Kings workout is because they'd rather not have him go head-to-head against Jimmer, who is widely expected to be drafted after Kemba. If Walker were to outplay Fredette, it wouldn't change anything. But if Fredette were to clearly outplay Walker, then it would make the Kings lean towards taking Fredette at No. 7 and passing on Walker. Then, if the Bobcats were to also pass on Walker, he could really slide further than expected.

As it stands now, Walker's floor is likely the Bobcats at No. 9 with a slight chance he slides past them, and the Kings would likely take Walker at No. 7 if Brandon Knight and Kawhi Leonard were off the board (and maybe even if one or both of them were still on the board). Why take a chance of changing that?

This is all speculation, but what we do know is that Kemba Walker cancelled his workout against Jimmer Fredette next Thursday with the Sacramento Kings.

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http://thehoopsreport.com/article.aspx?id=739

[babyjax13]

What Kemba does in Sacramento has no bearing on what the Jazz will do.

[reapaman]

Irving just doesn't excite me and I don't know about everyone else but him not participating in the athletic test or medical test (I think he skipped that too), really turns me off especially since he would be the first top pick to do so. Williams could be nice but tweeners concern me when your picking this high. And until he proves otherwise, Kanter is this draft's darko millicic (if you heard all the reports and saw the video of darko before he got drafted, you will understand the similar comparison).

Yes Knight is a little raw especially with the pg skills but so was derrick rose (he still is to an extent). He got a good three point shot, performed well under pressure, has some cluth ability, looks like he loves basketball and has a good worth ethic, he has pretty good size (well except he needs to bulk up), can play in the pick n roll, underrated athletism, ect... Basically he passes the test on the important stuff, everything else he can improve later.

[Luigi]

That's funny that you're comparing Knight to Bibby....I was thinking just the other night that Bibby would be a good comparison to Fredette

I made that comparison on here a while ago (before the combine). I think Bibby represents a success story that Fredette should look to emulate given his offensive skills.\

But back to Knight. He's a winner. That's his best quality in my mind. He knows how to win, and I hope that translates.

[Neon Black]

I agree with D Locke in that Knight's best-case ncebario is Chauncey Billups. Both one-and-done's with similar college stats. Both have icy nerves in big games and leadership skills. If Knight gains weight at a normal rate he would be the same size. Neither is super athletic, but they're craft with good court vision (Knights gotta limit those turnovers).

One of my favorite things about Knight is how intelligent he is. He's a student of the game, has a strong work ethic and is good-natured.

[HammerDunk]

I agree with D Locke in that Knight's best-case ncebario is Chauncey Billups. Both one-and-done's with similar college stats. Both have icy nerves in big games and leadership skills. If Knight gains weight at a normal rate he would be the same size. Neither is super athletic, but they're craft with good court vision (Knights gotta limit those turnovers).

One of my favorite things about Knight is how intelligent he is. He's a student of the game, has a strong work ethic and is good-natured.

Was just gonna say he reminds me a lot of Chauncey. That would be a nice best case.

[babyjax13]

I don't see that same physicality, but otherwise Chauncey is a decent comparison.

[carrottop12]

His shooting is what reminds me most of Chauncey. Not just the fact that he can knock down shots, but the timing of his shots, and how he can score off the pick if his man goes under the screen. His dribble-drive game reminds me of maynor some. Not insanely quick, but very capable, and has the ability to finish with floaters if he gets cut off, or an easy lay in.

I think next to favors he'd be fabulous. Having a target like that would be amazing, and I think he could play along side Harris while he gets his NBA legs.

I think he makes a ton of sense for the jazz, he's certainly a far safer pick than kanter.

Whichever one we get I'll be happy.

[cavsfan58]

Hm... I think you should take the BPA in this situation... also consider what would be a could pairing with 3/12... If Minny picks Derrick Williams you could go Kanter/Fredette, If minny picks Kanter you could pick Derrick Williams or Knight which is likely going to be the outcome...

[ADWCTA]

Knight can be compared to Favors from last season. You know he's got a great winning attitude and will work extremely hard. His potential is big, but not exactly super-star spectacular, he's not going to be a starter right away, but he's almost guarenteed to get there. Barring injury, there's no serious risk that Knight will not be a starting PG in this league in 3 years. Very safe pick. Also, he's following a tradition in the past decade of PGs taken in the top 5 picks, who have ALL turned out well (2010: Wall; 2008: Rose, Westbrook; 2007: Conley; 2005: D-Will, CP3, Felton; 2004: Devin Harris {Livingston = Injury}; 2002: {Jay Williams = Injury};). That is actually the list of ALL PGs taken top5 in the previous decade.

Assuming Irving/Williams are the first two picks, we're left debating Kanter (unproven in the game of basketball, but undeniable skills and physical tools), who can just as easily be the next Dirk as the next Darko and Knight (a sure thing with a couple years development). Personally, I'm firmly in the Kanter camp, because unlike Knight, Kanter does have the potential to be an all-NBA player (Knight will never ever be better than D. Rose, CP3, D-Will; he just doesn't have the potential)... and this isn't exactly a team that already has the other pieces figured out yet, so talent is talent. But you could see the case for Knight, especially if management wants to play it safe with such a high pick.

That being said, I would be dissapointed if we picked Knight. What better time for the Jazz organization than right now to take a risk? We really have nothing to lose.