The 2010 SB Nation NBA Mock Draft is still underway, with each SB Nation blogger making selections for their respective teams. Basketball John, managing editor at SB Nation's Utah Jazz blog SLC Dunk, checks in to make the ninth overall selection in this year's mock.
With the ninth overall pick in the 2010 SB Nation NBA Mock Draft, the Utah Jazz have selected Xavier Henry, shooting guard, Kansas Jayhawks.
BBJ explains: If the Jazz are going to get the big man they covet in Greg Monroe, they're going to have to pull off another trade like they did in 2005 to get Deron Williams. The Jazz have been high on Monroe for some time but unfortunately everyone else is catching on now.
With Monroe off the board the Jazz front office have stated that they're going to take the best player available despite their glaring need for a defensive big man. Their next favorite target is Xavier Henry.
The Jazz traded away Ronnie Brewer last season because they had a "logjam" at the wing position amongst other reasons. Despite that, they'll take Henry who is said to have one of the most NBA-ready games and bodies in the draft. His outside shooting ability will be a welcome addition to the Utah offense. In Jerry Sloan's system, good passing is a necessity, so Henry should fit the bill.
Above all though, his defensive game is perhaps his biggest attribute and could earn him some PT under Sloan.
Ridiculous Upside reacts: I can agree that this pick makes sense in that Sloan probably doesn't feel the need to go with a project, but I'm not sure what need they're filling - unless it's a foregone conclusion that Kyle Korver is gone (and maybe it is, I'm not sure). It just seems odd that in a draft with so many bigs projected as lottery picks, and the penchant the Jazz have for a man in the middle, that they'd instead choose to go with the best player available.
Kansas blogger weighs in: This might be cheating, but I'm using the second best blogger in Bismarck's opinion when it comes to Henry. Take it away, Mr. Kansas Super Fan Fetch.
I don't think Henry will be a bust, but I am very bearish on his NBA prospects. He is a very good jumpshooter, but doesn't get a ton of lift with his shot, and he doesn't have very good hops around the basket either. Not that he'll get to the basket very often because he doesn't have a quick first step, nor does he have the ability to use his right hand as anything other than a "show me" move.
I will say that, in college, he had a pretty cerebral game considering he was only 18 while showing a knack for finding the open man when his rare drives to the basket were stalled.
Still, unless Henry is fairly wide open I doubt his ability to get off many three pointers - nor do I think he has the athleticism to drive to the basket or to guard any offensive players of consequence in the NBA. He'll go in the first round, but I don't think he should be a lottery pick.
Blech. I like Henry more, but I watched him a lot less.
Ridiculous Upside's Top 5 remaining prospects: 1 - Patrick Patterson, PF, Kentucky. 2 - Luke Babbitt, F, Nevada. 3 - Ekpe Udoh, PF/C, Baylor. 4 - Ed Davis, PF, North Carolina. 5 - Hassan Whiteside, PF/C, Marshall.
Sound off, SB Nation! What say you of the Henry-to-Utah pick? Do you wish Cole Aldrich would have been available?
And please, remember to check out SLC Dunk for everything you need to know about the Jazz (including how to win some of their new gear!).
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