2007 Draft: Does it really MATTer? Go Fish...

This will be the first of a 5 part series of posts with regards to draft prospects who I think may be available (and yes, I might take some liberties in terms of whether or not they will actually be available - after all it's early and nobody really knows) when the Jazz pick in the mid to late 20s of the 2007 draft.

Disclaimer: I don't really believe at this point that a 1st round draft pick really has a chance to play under Jerry Sloan in the next 2-3 years, but I'm a draft guy, a rookie lover if you will and this time of year has me buzzing about prospects regardless of the reality of the situation in Utah.

Point Guards: In no particular order (everyone of the players listed is much better than current rookie PG, Dee Brown, but chances are none have the "Harpring/Fisher Factor" going for them like the spazzy little bricklayer from Illinois)

Aaron Brooks, Oregon - 18 ppg, 4 rebs, 4 asts, 46% FGs, 40% 3pt FGs

I like to refer to Brooks as a rich man's Dee Brown. He does everything on a basketball court better than Dee with the exception of on ball defense - he continues to improve his shooting, is lightning quick and it didn't hurt his stock that he finished his college career leading the PAC 10 in scoring and put up 27 points (11-19 FGs) on defending champion Florida in a losing effort in the quarterfinal of the NCAA tournament.


Eric Maynor, VCU - 14 ppg, 4 rebs, 6 asts, 42% FGs, 39% 3pt FGs, 3:1 assist/TO ratio

Few knew much about Maynor prior to this year's NCAA's (including myself), but Maynor can flat out play. Maynor has good size at 6'2", a competitive edge over nearly everyone he plays against and simply has a knack for making big plays in big games when his team needs him most. As he is just a sophomore, he will likely stay in school, but it would be a mistake as his stock is likely as high right now after the excellent showing in his conference tournament and the subsequent NCAA show.


Darren Collison, UCLA - 13 ppg, 6 asts, 2 stls, 49% FGs, 46% 3pt FGs

Collison is my favorite of the group, also just a sophomore, may not declare for the draft, but is everything I look for in a PG - he's pass first, but can get his shot anytime he wants and is accurate when he puts it up. He plays excellent defense both on and off the ball, is tough as nails and has a competitive streak unrivaled at the collegiate level. If Collison isn't a lottery selection whenever he declares, I will have lost all faith in the ability of NBA GMs to evaluate talent - expect him to drop into the 20s.


Austin Ainge, BYU - just kidding! sheesh.


Acie Law, Texas A&M - Hey, I can dream. When was the last time a 1st round PG prospect averaged 15+ ppg, shooting 50%+ FGs and 46%+ 3pt FGs? That's right, Jarrett effing Jack. Stand down.


Mario Chalmers, Kansas - 12 ppg, 3 asts, 49% FGs, 40% 3pt FGs

Okay, so he can can't really play the point, I was most impressed with him when I saw him in the McDonald's All-America game two years ago and in his most recent and most important college game vs UCLA in the elite 8, he shot 1-8 FGs with 7 TOs, but hey, Dee Brown is the standard here.


Derek Fisher, Arkansas-Little Rock - 14 ppg, 41% FGs, 38% 3pt FGs, 5 asts, 3 TOs

Off-the-charts leadership ability, excellent toughness, has played both the one and the two, makes Jack Welch look like Rich Kotite by comparison of leadership skills, his only peer in toughness both mentally and physically is Matt Harpring...the list goes on and on - with one drawback; The Deadliest Catch can't play a lick!!! WTF?! Those are his actual college stats - he even sucked against the suckiest of competition. 41% FGs - some things never change. Can't shoot, can't pass, can't play defense - 3 years $20 million, Jazz fans. Can we get a fillet?

Keith Mcleod, Captain Crunch, come back - please! Pretty please???

With that said, Harpring does indeed suck.