Utah Jazz fans differ in pick preferences

SALT LAKE CITY — And the people's choice to be selected ninth by the Utah Jazz in the 2010 NBA Draft?

One growing group of Jazz fans leans toward picking up Baylor big guy Ekpe Udoh.

Some are holding out hope that Georgetown center Greg Monroe falls into Utah's lap.

Others want general manager Kevin O'Connor, CEO Greg Miller and coach Jerry Sloan to snatch up North Carolina power forward Ed Davis or a promising talent from Kansas — shooting guard Xavier Henry, not Greg Ostertag clone Cole Aldrich.

One fan even offered a way-outside-the-box suggestion.

"We need a big center who rules the paint and dominates on both offense and defense," wrote a Jazz blog poster called Katoonka. "There's only one clear and obvious choice: Nicole Kidman, the Amazon Woman from Australia."

Interesting logic, but she might not be able to afford the pay cut.

The Kidman tip wasn't the only surprising response received Wednesday during unscientific and random polling done online at deseretnews.com and at sports-themed businesses.

The biggest shocker?

A good chunk of fans simply don't know or care whom the Jazz draft (about 10 in a row at one point of the man-on-the-street survey).

"I do like the Jazz," said Sandy-based Iggy's manager Darby Perkins, "but I can't get into the draft."

"Been following the World Cup," a non-draft-nut/Jazz fan said.

"Don't follow the draft," another one admitted.

"I have no clue."

"I could care less."

And, almost to be expected, the draft question veered into some harsh words for No. 5: "I would just like it if they got rid of (Carlos) Boozer, that's all I know."

That comment from a fan at a sports bar was the only Boozer bashing of the day, though. In fact, a casual fan at SkyBox Sports Grille didn't find it too cool that she'd heard the New Jersey Nets were rumored to be interested in signing the free-agent-to-be power forward.

"That's stupid ... we finally started to get somewhere."

Speaking of getting somewhere, how about that No. 9 pick again?