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Utah Jazz select VCU guard Maynor with pick No. 20

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Duh | 7:49 p.m. June 25, 2009
When will the Jazz ever understand that we have no center on the team. Another guard?? Yeah, that's going to win championships. Jazz lose......again!
Awful pick. | 7:49 p.m. June 25, 2009
The Jazz need speed and length and defense. So, what do they do? Pick a small, poor defender with no length.

AWFUL.

The Jazz decline started at the end of last season and it continues. Terrible pick.
I like the pick | 7:54 p.m. June 25, 2009
The Jazz picked 20th tell me what center is worth picking there? Maynor will be a OK backup to an All Star Point Guard. What the Jazz need is a blockbuster trade to make them climb the hill to a championship, (Its never going to happen!) So be happy with your 48-60 wins a year and playoffs every year.
Comments continue below
bob carlisle | 7:56 p.m. June 25, 2009
he has to be better then brevin knight, has to be.
nujazz | 7:57 p.m. June 25, 2009
who is this guy?

Is he any good?

did we want a PG?


lets go jazz beat la
nottyou | 7:59 p.m. June 25, 2009
Stupid is as stupid does.
ha | 8:02 p.m. June 25, 2009
apparently Awful pick watched alot of VCU games.
Miles | 8:03 p.m. June 25, 2009
The Jazz must have felt Blair was not a good pick for them? I don't see how Maynor gives us any value but I really haven't watched him play either. Maybe he will be a sleeper? But as I have been saying, I don't think Maynor will play. So it doesn't really matter.
jzfandc | 8:07 p.m. June 25, 2009
I understand that Marcus Camby may now available -
Center? | 8:08 p.m. June 25, 2009
Who exactly do you think the Jazz can draft at center at the 20th pick who can play in the NBA? They badly needed a backup point guard, like it or not.
Nice O'Connor | 8:11 p.m. June 25, 2009
Add this pick to the ever-growing list of bad picks for the first round for Kevin O'Connor. I can't wait to see how he is going to waste next year's lottery from New York.

Get him out now before he can do anymore damage. He has no vision or imagination. He just sits by and drafts guards late in the first round only to release them 3 years later.

What a joke.
dave | 8:14 p.m. June 25, 2009
with the 20th pick the Jazz drafted Eric Maynor for the Utah Flash. I don't see why there is any complaint here because Sloan won't play a rookie anyway. Remember he had a hard time playing D-Will until LHM questioned him about it. As for length I think all the good tall defenders were long gone at this point. Jazz need a back up pg, I thought they would try for one in the 2nd round, but the players they wanted were already drafted.
Anonymous | 8:15 p.m. June 25, 2009
And who would you complainers have picked? I'm very interested...

Somebody always has to open their mouth.
Mike | 8:16 p.m. June 25, 2009
Hoopsworld reported earlier this month that Maynor was a big time sleeper in this draft and would be a household name in a few years.
Good Pick | 8:22 p.m. June 25, 2009
The Jazz always have leads dwindle when DW goes out for a rest. They need a GOOD backup that can give starter type minutes for 8-10 minutes per game. This seems pretty obvious to me. Also provides insurance in case of injury. Drop BK and sign Price as the #3.

Pick the Yewt center in round 2 and make a BIG trade.
JBrowning | 8:28 p.m. June 25, 2009
Chad Ford said Eric Maynor was the most underrated player in the draft. ESPN rated him the twelfth best player in the draft. He has very good stats and some big wins. I'm optimistic! People are too hard on Kevin O'Connor and Jerry Sloan.
Maynor | 8:28 p.m. June 25, 2009
is not as well known and maybe not as good as Teague. However, he is a true point who can play now if necessary. It says a lot about Knight and Price not coming back. It signals that the Jazz are less worried about the bigs and resigning the bigs.

They did not go with Blair, Gibson, Young or another PF. The Jazz need rebounding and a PF and an SF who can stretch the floor.

Gibson had the most potential to do that.

They may pick up an experienced back up PG later.

It will be really interesting to see what they do with the 50 pick.

Maynor is a safe PG pick. He will not be great but will be a smart capable back up who is smart and can run the 2nd unit. Defense is a question.
Solid Pick | 8:30 p.m. June 25, 2009
Too many Jazz fans are still living in an NBA world that was dominated by big men. That era ended about 1998. The game has changed with the elimination of hand checking and is now dominated by guard play. Guess what, most NBA teams don't play a true center anymore. The NBA game is all about guard play. Anybody that has watched Maynor play knows he is tough, clutch, and can flat out play.
T-Chris | 8:30 p.m. June 25, 2009
Wow Guys way to be supportive. I don't know if you know this, but the jazz have no back up point guard. this kid is a solid back up point guard with size, and there were no big men in this draft anyways. Yes the Jazz need a Center more than anything, but they need to go sign a free agent already in the league if thats what we're looking for. Good Choice Jazz!
CJ | 8:35 p.m. June 25, 2009
This was a great pick for the Jazz. There wasn't a good 5 available after Thabeet, Maynor was the best pick available. Great player
on 1320 kfan | 8:41 p.m. June 25, 2009
They dissed this guy a couple days ago saying he was not an nba player. Locke said he saw nothing that impressed him at all. Locke is not an expert on drafting though. They passed on some pretty good talent to get this guy. Personally I am extremely disappointed with the pick. However I would not have take a big man. No big man available was worth taking.
SDawg | 8:42 p.m. June 25, 2009
Remember Stockton from Gonzaga? Everyone moaned about that one. Not at all saying he is the next Stockton just saying lets give this guy a chance. We could use a nice backup, Knight was horrible
I wonder if Blair | 8:46 p.m. June 25, 2009
will fall all of the way to 50? Even with bad knees he would be worth a 2nd round pick.

Gattney from UMass may be a decent pick. The Jazz are freeing up money for resigns. There is still a lot of teams making changes for money purposes. There will be a few more about mid season.

Boozer and Millsap could be cheaper than originally thought. Boozer could also be traded up to mid season if signed to a reasonable contract.
Great pick | 8:47 p.m. June 25, 2009
I can't believe all of the unknowledgeable Jazz fans. ESPN has Maynor ranked as the 12th best player in the draft, and the Jazz get him at 20. I'd say that's pretty darn good.
Wiley Old School | 9:01 p.m. June 25, 2009
This Richmonder is pretty excited about the pick. Nice pick and nice fit. In a few years I expect there to be many Koufus and Maynor fans in SLC!
I love it | 9:03 p.m. June 25, 2009
Here's what ESPN says of the Jazz picking Maynor:
"I thought they might go with Sam Young here, but I have to admit that I love this pick for the Jazz. They needed a backup for Deron Williams, and Maynor is perfect for Utah as one of the most NBA-ready players in the draft. He has a high basketball IQ and great leadership qualities. The Jazz fill a need and get a guy who I think is the most underrated player in the draft.
"
The Jazz can buy | 9:04 p.m. June 25, 2009
any of the already drafted players tonight for cash. They could still buy a PF or whatever if they really wanted the player.
kmansac | 9:11 p.m. June 25, 2009
I thought Sloan said he mistaked not playing Price behind DW after playoff loss to Lakers. Price can run the offense, connects with bench, and goes strong to the hoop. He was highly regarded in Sac.. that strong monster dunk over Boozer 3 years back was the best play of the year here. I loved it when Utah pick him up. Is RP in Sloans game plan or not? Stick with Price all the way.. he more than deserves the backup position.. he's proven.. he earned it. Sloan supposed to like those old fashion values. Maynor gets to develop this year.
Solid Pick?? comment?? | 9:16 p.m. June 25, 2009
Solid Pick says the NBA is no longer dominated by big men? Who are the teams that have won the most championships had since 1998? Answer: Shaq, Duncan, Shaq again, Rasheed and Ben Wallace (who were dominant at the time--beating Shaq, Kobe, and Malone), Kevin Garnett, Pau Gasol (one of the best PF in the league now days). Name 1 team who has won the finals without a big man since 1998?

Not since Jordan, which was before 1998? He obviously knows nothing about the NBA. Guard dominated--that is the most ridiculous thing in the world. The 3 best players in the league are Kobe, LeBron, and D-Wade. NONE of them have won without a top big man, NONE!!!

Only Jordan could do it.
Won't Complaint | 9:17 p.m. June 25, 2009
I never liked O'Connor and his decision makings. I rather liked Ty Lawson as the pick but obviously Lawson not being available, Maynor will suffice.
What the Jazz sorely need is interior defense and without a strong presence inside, every team will run over them. And for the ideal that big men are less of a significance after or so 1998; Paul Gasol, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, and Shaq. End of discussion.
Anonymous | 9:22 p.m. June 25, 2009
Big guys don't dominate the NBA anymore? Ever heard of a guy named Dwight Howard? He only led his team to the NBA finals this year. Has Kobe won championships without one dominate center or 3 7-footers?
Ernest T. Bass | 9:25 p.m. June 25, 2009
The jazz should draft the skinny dude from byu. He and Araujo would take them to the championship.
SA got Blair | 9:29 p.m. June 25, 2009
Knees or no Knees he will cause trouble for the Jazz.

Maynor may be okay. Price is erratic in the running of the team. He gets in to deep and is forced to shoot a bad shot. On nights when he is shooting well things go better but he is not a true point and really can't run the team on a prolonged or regular basis. He was cheap insurance who could sometimes run the team for short times. He was really streaky and either very good at shooting or very bad.

POR just got better, they traded for Pendergraph.

The Suns got Taylor Griffin which saved the Jazz from getting him.



RE: bob carlisle | 9:31 p.m. June 25, 2009
I agree. Brevin knight has been the worst part of this franchise during th 2008-09 season. Any point guard is a step up from him. Knight is the only player who can consistently blow a lead. Brevin "Double dribble" knight will no longer play in utah
Develope our 7 footers! | 9:33 p.m. June 25, 2009
For everyone complaining about not drafting a big... Where do you think Fesenko and Koufos would have gone in this draft?

If Fesenko would have played in college my guess is that he would have been a lottery pick. He is still only 22! Koufos was a projected lottery pick last year.

Lets develope these guys who at least give us a shot of defending the paint.

Sad to say but the only years we went to the NBA finals Greg Ostertag was our center. He may not put up Boozer's 20 points a game But at least he didn't give up 25
Just brilliant | 9:36 p.m. June 25, 2009
team O'Connor,and Sloan! Another player with no length and needs improvement at defense {per espn}It just proves that they are more interested in ticket sales and not winning.Sure he might be a great pick at 20, but with a weak draft {per espn} draft the pick and 2010 pick and get some vets that are seasoned and can teach the young guys on the team.
Surprised | 9:36 p.m. June 25, 2009
I thought they would pick Blair for sure, and was even more surprised when we fell as far as he did. I am finally learning to accept the Jazz not getting a championship. Lets face it our best chance was with Stockton and Malone back in the 90's and they could not even do it then. This team is a far cry from the Jazz that made it to the finals.
VCU Loyal | 9:37 p.m. June 25, 2009
Ive watched Eric at home games for his whole four years. I sit behind the bench. He is as good as any of the PG's taken in this draft...with the exception of Curry (who is a better 3pt shooter). Dont worry about his defense. Have you ever heard of George Mason? Ask their fans what they think of his defense....he picked their PG twice in 20 seconds in the last minutes of a 8 point deficit to win the championship in 07 (yr after their final four run). When he isn't worried about fouling out (coaches choice) he is all over the PG's. He had top rankings in assists, free throws, FGs and points all season and was a good three shooter and defender.

Keep in mind, teams doubled him all year. VCU started three sophs and a freshman, so he basically had to do everything to get VCU to the dance....TWICE. He WAS VCU. He BEAT DUKE in MARCH.

Jazz fans will NOT be sorry about this pick. BTW, good luck to Eric and thanks for 4 incredible years at VCU
Jazz Cop | 9:41 p.m. June 25, 2009
Whoever isn't stoked about this pick doesn't know anything about manor. SSWWEEEETT. I'm not going to butter his toast for everyone, but if you never watched him play you should get a copy of the vcu duke game. Plus, I think he'll do well with sloan. This is who I hoped the jazz would get, sweet.
jp | 9:45 p.m. June 25, 2009
Defense is still our biggest problem--hopefully we can address that via trade/free agency with someone like a younger Raja Bell/Bruce Bowen.
Anonymous | 9:50 p.m. June 25, 2009
I dont know about the Maynor pick mainly just because he played at VCU which means he hasn't competed like most other guys in the draft at a high level. BUt I do like the Suton pick but I wish we would have gone with Sam Young, or Dejuan Blair with that earlier pick.
todd from santa ana | 9:52 p.m. June 25, 2009
nothing against the VCU kid, but O Connor did not fit the Jazz immmediate needs. If a kid averages 22ppg and he is too small to play with DWIL< then him as a backup is a total waste 1st round pick.

The better pick would have been a forward. Portland getting Pendergraph I assure you will be far better than Mr. Suton who has a shot but not great in the blocks and ESPN rated him an average rebounder. It would have been better to draft an off guard who could shoot 6'5 6'6 or a small forward who can create.

I know the VCU guy is considered clutch and a good player but his size is an issue. You certainly cannot team him up with DWIL unless they go vs a small lineup 2 guys at 6'3 cannot make up starting backcourt.


AS usual I was right. O Connor did not move up to get the right guys. Portland has gotten better (again), Budinger (i would have taken over mr VCU) is now with Houston.

Summary-like predicted, -maybe Knight and Collins, exact same Jazz team as 2008-2009 with 2 draft picks
oh help us please | 9:54 p.m. June 25, 2009
yada yada...we watch as the water runs out of the drain.

We got a point guard who will take 2-3 years to gain momentum in the league. How long is Deron signed for? We have no intention of keeping Deron as his contract will be huge by then. We drafted his replacement tonight so we can attain "mediocrity" atta go Jerry and Kevin you guys do us proud.

How about using some brain parts and getting us in contention and trading for some decent players to help our stars win? Guess what then players would want to come to Utah and fans will feel vindicated for sticking with this program "FOREVER" Why waste Deron and Boozer get them some help.

Brewers game increased exponentially last season but he will never be the shooter we need. Korver cannnot guard nor is he a superstar. Okur can shoot every third or fourth night. We have many trading pieces to put together a winning franchise, be bold be brave.

If water runs out the drain again I hope you two slip and slide with it.
Doesn't Matter | 9:57 p.m. June 25, 2009
Dave at 8:14 got it right - this kid will spend far more time in Orem than downtown SLC. Until Sloan decides to trust the young kids (i.e. anyone under 30) the draft is meaningless to the Jazz.
todd on snoozy | 10:00 p.m. June 25, 2009
snoozey, Okur back again clear as a bell and pack the "paint" let him shoot, no improvement seen in 2009-2010 Jazz club..
wow | 10:00 p.m. June 25, 2009
you guys are crying about them not picking a center!!!! ha ha jarron collins would have been picked top 15 in this draft, that is how bad this draft was for big guys...
on to maynor he is a great player and a true point guard that guess what folks can score the ball too.. so when the shot clock runs down and we need the pg to score he just might do that. great pick for the jazz.
Anonymous | 10:02 p.m. June 25, 2009
When you get down to the 20th pick, you're lucky to find someone who will still be in the NBA in 5 years. Good job, Jazz, for taking a chance on Maynor.
todd from santa ana | 10:05 p.m. June 25, 2009
I will wager the SPurs pick for Blair, will turn out better than the Jazz picks.


Expect it...
jens2110 | 10:22 p.m. June 25, 2009
Reading this board has made me worry more about Jazz fans then about the future of the team. Great Pick.
Solid Pick response | 10:23 p.m. June 25, 2009
If you will read, I wrote "true center." Other than Shaq, all of the players mentioned are power forwards and not true centers. My comment was in reponse to Jazz fans who clamor for picking the big 7 footer everytime one is available, no matter how clumsy, slow, and unathletic he may be. There is a difference between a big man and a true center. The league, and in particular the big men, are getting so athletic that the league has passed by the true centers. Teams with big men (e.g., Dampier, Bynum, and Ming) often don't even have their big men on the floor during crunch time because they need guys that can not only play the middle but guard guys like Nowitizki, Turkoglu, and Rashard Lewis to name a few.

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Eric Maynor drives against Darren Collison of the UCLA Bruins during the first round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.

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