OK here's the reasoning:

When looking over their roster, they've obviously had some big injuries to deal with at some key positions -- it was hard to even come up with a starting 5 for next year at the moment..I've identified 3 key areas that need to be addressed: A legit big man (depth at the 4/5), a backup PG (esp. if CJ Watson bolts), another wing or a 2nd big. There are other issues but these seem to be the most pressing to me.

Shoring up the 4/5 spots became my biggest concern. Biedrins finally succumbed to a nagging groin problem in March and missed the remainder of the season after trying to play through ongoing groin/back problems since early November. He did undergo successful groin surgery in March so now we'll have to see how he recovers.. Hopefully he'll be back at full strength and become the consistent double-double threat he once was for that club but the jury's out at this point. Even before he got hurt this season he showed some regression and some question now whether he's a good fit in GS anymore under Don Nelson (there seemed to be some mounting tension between the two right from the beginning this year). The team has a lot of money still committed to him however and it's difficult to see him going anywhere, esp. now coming off a major surgery.. The PF spot's even more wide open -- they have Turiaf who plays hard but isn't really starting caliber. Same with Anthony Tolliver, one of their many D-League call-ups who did manage to play well. Brandan Wright & Anthony Randolph have some height and skill (esp. Randolph) but they both seem better suited at the 3-spot when fully healthy (something might have to give here because Wright & Randolph are too similar - plus the 3-spot's already crowded with productive but pricey vet Corey Maggette, Kelenna Azubuike who's coming off knee surgery and surprise newcomer Reggie Williams). This 6th pick came down to 4 players for me: Whiteside, Cousins, Aldrich and Patterson. With question marks at both the 4 & 5 spots right now, I wanted a big who could function at both spots not just one, so that all but eliminated 6'9" Pat Patterson right there (good player btw -- too bad Biedrins became such a question mark. Patterson would've been a good guy to pencil in beside him)... Aldrich's fairly capable & works hard but to me he just doesn't compare to Whiteside & Cousins (he's been dominated many times by more athletic players, not nearly as athletic as Whiteside & Cousins himself, I never cared for the ugly/over-the-head shooting mechanic and now we're hearing he's closer to 6'9"/6'10" in shoes not 7'). That left Whiteside & Cousins. Tough call. Really tough. Cousins has a lot going for him and probably would've been the safer pick but I chose to go with the guy I feel has the better two-way package, both immediate & long-term. To me, Cousins has more red flags as well (unlike Whiteside, Cousins might be playing with too much weight and that could be a problem in that system at the pace coach Nelson wants to play at. Plus there are some attitude & work ethic issues that concern me about Cousins as well). Whiteside measured out a little thin at 227 lbs. but I don't see a problem with him putting on another 10-20 lbs. of muscle, even as early as post draft to training camp...Of the 2 I like Whiteside's overall potential on both ends a little better than Cousins for this team. I really feel like it's adding a young Marcus Camby to the mix - his combination of 7 feet with immediate two-way skills and potential for greatness just outweight what these other bigs brought to the party. Picture an eventual lineup of Biedrins/Whiteside/Randolph up front with a Curry/Ellis backcourt. Along with some of their quality depth, if everyone returned healthy & things broke right that could be a very scary team next year.

Predraft Measurements
Height w/o Shoes	Height w/shoes	Weight	Wingspan	Standing Reach	Body Fat	No Step Vert	Max Vert	Bench Press	Lane Agility	3/4 Court Sprint
6' 5.25"	        6' 6.5"	        210	6' 11.25"	8' 9"	        4.7	        28.5	        36.5	        8	        11.10	        3.18

The Utah Jazz needs a running mate for Deron Williams. CJ Miles and Ashton Kutcher is just not going to cut it. They are losing Boozer in free agency but Milsap should be able to fill Boozer's shoes.

Xavier Henry reminds me a lot of Jimmy Jackson. A left handed Jimmy Jackson. His build and length...(checkout his wingspan..woohoo) is off the charts for a shooting guard.

Here is his NBADraft.net writeup

Strengths: Eighteen year old freshman with an effortless, fluid style ... His body is NBA ready - built like a freight train possessing tremendous strength ... Ideal frame for a shooting guard or small forward at the next level. Naturally gifted scorer (28 ppg as a HS senior) with a deadly shooting eye. Prolific shooter from beyond the arc with tremendous range. Pure stroke with a quick, smooth release. No hitches ... Uses his legs very well on his shot getting good lift ... Effective slashing to the hoop where he can attack the rim and seek out contact ... Finishes extremely well, shrugging off defenders with ease ... Gets to the free throw line regularly and is automatic. Active on the glass ... Can be a terrific rebounding wing with his strength and freakish wingspan (6.7 per game in 2009 and 7.2 in 2008) ... A thief when playing off the ball defensively, reading passing lanes and intercepting passes (1.7 spg through his first seven collegiate games). Refreshing positive attitude on the court. Always smiling, seeming to truly enjoy the game of basketball ... Hard worker and very coachable, which is rare for a player of his stature.

He is the perfect running mate for Deron Williams.

Obligatory dancer pic

Pharzeone wrote:Briggs, you should put intervals on it. Like 12pm and 12am time of deals in the first round and shorten it in the 2nd round. That way everyone knows that they should be checking every so many hours to see where they are on at. There is plenty of time before the draft. I would also suggest that people leave wish list like a draft board if they know they aren't going to be around. So they won't feel like they didn't contribute. Just my take.

This is getting annoying--Im down with anything that speeds this up a tad{im not talking warp speed but every couple/few hours a pick should be made at the minimum]. I don't get if you put your name down why you would hold the next guy hostage if they want to get their pick in. All it takes is one check in during the AM to see if you are close--if you need to check back etc.. have to respect to do so or say u just cant the next few picking--we had no real bad problems the last few years

martin wrote:weekends are tough, especially this one... I say wait until Tuesday to continue.

true!

AnubisADL wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

NYKBocker wrote:purple012870!!! Make your pick already!!!

Ill do his pick--guys 18 hours is not fair to the next person in line. If you know you may be up soon and cant do it--just leave a note--give me 20 minutes

The La Clippers Take Paul George SF Fresno State

DAM YOU BRIGGS!!!!

LOL I have Miami at 18 so don't get me back--I already have my guy

BRIGGS wrote:

NYKBocker wrote:DJMUSIC [Indiana]...you HAVE been on the clock!!!

Im all for being patient--but if he doesnt make a selection after 4 days within the next hour--maybe someone else can step up and make it for him--it snot fair to others who are waiting pateintly

Briggs you should let purp make his selection since he is here now.

BRIGGS wrote:

AnubisADL wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:

NYKBocker wrote:DJMUSIC [Indiana]...you HAVE been on the clock!!!

Im all for being patient--but if he doesnt make a selection after 4 days within the next hour--maybe someone else can step up and make it for him--it snot fair to others who are waiting pateintly

Briggs you should let purp make his selection since he is here now.

DJMUSIC--I just swapped my Dallas Mavericks picks for your Indiana picks you have 52 and 58 just so we can keep it rolling here

Indiana selects Luke Babbitt

You hate me dont you?