Just for curiosity’s sake, I took a look at a whole lot of Mock Drafts floating around the Internet to see if there was some sort of consensus on who the Utah Jazz might take at #20. If you’ve looked around at all, you’ve probably seen one name showing up on the vast majority of them.
Tyler Hansbrough got 27 votes, easily surpassing the next closest pick by Mock Drafters picking for the Utah Jazz.
Just for fun, though, I’ll give you the whole list, including the stats for each of the players and how many votes they got.
- Tyler Hansbrough, PF, UNC, 6-9 = 27 votes
- Chase Budinger, SG, Pitt, 6-7 = 4 votes
- James Johnson, SF/PF, WF, 6-8 = 4 votes
- Sam Young, SF/PF, Pitt, 6-7 = 3 votes
- DeJuan Blair, PF, Pitt, 6-7 = 3 votes
- Wayne Ellington, SG, NC, 6-4 = 3 votes
- DaJuan Summers, SF, GTwn, 6-8 = 3 votes
- Eric Maynor, PG, VCU, 6-3 = 3 votes
- BJ Mullens, C, OhSt, 7-0 = 3 votes
- Terrence Williams, SG/SF, Lou, 6-6 = 2 votes
- Austin Daye, SF/PF, Gzg, 6-10 = 2 votes
- Jeff Teague, PG/SG, WF, 6-2 = 2 votes
- Earl Clark, SF/PF, Lou, 6-9 = 1 votes
- Patrick Mills, PG, St. Mry, 6-0 = 1 vote
- Jodie Meeks, SG, Ken, 6-4 = 1 vote
- Gani Lawal, PF, GTec, 6-8 = 1 vote
- Jamar DeRozan, SG, USC, 6-6 = 1 vote
- Greg Monroe, PF, GTwn, 6-10 = 1 vote
With the exception of the consensus for Tyler Hansbrough, it’s interesting to see how varied some of the picks are, including by position. Apparently nobody is exactly sure whether the Jazz should go for a big man, a swing man, or a backup point guard.
Personally, I’d be surprised if the Jazz could find an effective backup for Deron Williams in the draft — especially considering that Jerry didn’t even play Williams at the starting point guard position for his freshman year, at least not consistently. I personally don’t mind keeping Brevin Knight for another year, especially if the Jazz can get him back for cheap. Knight is a safe choice, and he shouldn’t be playing too much time anyway backing up Deron Williams for 10 to 12 minutes per game.
I always thought that the Jazz should go for yet another big man, hoping to strike it rich this time. With a dearth of good big men in the draft, though, I wouldn’t be surprised if teams nab them up too quickly and force the Jazz with whomever happens to be “the best player available”.
Personally, I like the Tyler Hansbrough pick, especially at 20. I don’t think there is anyway that he lasts that long, though. There just aren’t enough big players in the draft (even though he is a bit undersized for the 4). Jazz fans should not expect him to be available at 20.
If I was a betting man, I’d bet a combo guard or swingman ends up dropping farther than predicted, right into the laps of the Jazz. It seems like that tends to be the luck of the draw with the Jazz in recent years. Kirk Snyder didn’t really work out, but Ronnie Brewer has done alright for himself.
And one last thought — wouldn’t it be funny if the Jazz picked up yet another center from Ohio State?
