| Show Jazz draft picks were better than expected Johnathan Bonner Contributing Writer urn nn qu rr 32 oL 2 huH buti 1 l 1 omi E 1 ii f n a. fI 11 I I it t i IThe iThe The Utah Jazz did all they could to avoid draft day woes with a s solid lid 2006 draft class Wed July 28 Fans now must learn the names of three purple- purple gold and-gold jersey bearing youth Ronnie Brewer Dee Brown and Paul Millsap welcome meto to Salt Lake City The pi picks ks come conic cometo cometo to the surprise and chagrin of of many Jazz fans who have agonized agonized agonized ago ago- over dr draft ft busts spanning J J the last decade Five of Utah's last siX six first first first- round selections are no longer with the Jazz Of Utah's last twelve round first-round selections spanning the last decade only two remain with the club The Jazz frustrated from losing losing losing los los- ing prospects Sene to ton n 1 N KT In 10 and onH J I 1 T. T Seattle caulI UL iU o. o v u Reddick to Orlando at No 11 iI chose the athletic Brewer with the No 14 pick Brewer standing foot 7 and weighing pounds was candidate to the an early entry draft The First Team All- All SEC guard led the Arkansas Razorbacks with and 26 as a junior He could be in the top 15 percent of athletes in the Vice-President Vice of Jazz Operations Kevin OConnor O'Connor said to The Salt Lake Tribune somebody who will It gives us finish way above the rim on the well break He handles the ball enough Hes He's a kid who understands understands understands under under- stands how important it is is to toTo win fans fansin fansin fansin To the surprise of 2000 in attendance at the Delta Delu Center for Wednesdays Wednesday's selection selection selection tion party Brewer did not workout work workout workout out for the club prior to the w draft iff trl r o 1 I t 1 I li I wAn An interview I between Jazz Coaching staff Brewer and his his' father Ron a former Razorbacks star and player play play- er was Utah's sole communication tion with the pick Utah relied on taped footage and scouting reports for their selection His upside could be very good Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said to the Tribune If he works hard Utah expects Brewer to use his athleticism as a three tion threat a rarity in hi the playing shooting guard small forward and point guardI guard I I told him this is going to be bea a very tough job said Ron Brewer during an interview with from Madison Square Gardens Ronnie will end up being a good pro But its it's a chore r Following the drafting 01 of Brewer Utah had an abundance of time to contemplate their No 46 and No 47 picks Dee Brown named National Player of the Year by The Sporting News as a junior was followed by time three-time rebounding champion Paul Millsap as Utah's second round selections Brown a college teammate of Utah's Deron Williams at Illinois led the to the 2005 national title game Critics say Browns Brown's 5 foot 9 height may prevent him bun from playing substantial minutes minutes minutes min min- utes in the Hes one of the quickest guys in the draft OConnor O'Connor said to the Tribune Is he tall enough to play 35 minutes Probably not Is he tall enough to play Yes Guys like this just find a way away Though t racked up the 1 hB first ore rf 3 Ji iI- iI J 11 III l A t i Amen lIb an second team eam All All- A 11 American Big Ten Player of the Year Defensive Player of the Year and ranks third on Illinois Illinois' time all scoring list itis it itis itis is the combination of two complimentary complimentary complimentary com com- players that most excites Utah These two guys really play well together said OConnor O'Connor to the Tribune Millsap hailing from the same college as Jazz superstar Karl Malone was Utah's final selection The Louisiana Tech forward is the only player in hi history to lead Division I in rebounding three consecutive years At foot 8 and pounds Utah believes they may have picked a diamond in hi the rough I 1 b h h. h h h. h as tie nc e s undersized U ut lib u a ua an skill OConnor O'Connor said to the Tribune Does that skill transcend his height Well We'll find out Draft Notes No 1 l pick Andrea of Italy by the Toronto Raptors was the first European to be selected first overall in the draft Fifteen trades were made over the course of draft night Gonzaga star Adam Morrison was selected No 3 by bythe bythe bythe the Charlotte Bobcats New Bobcat part-owner part Michael Jordan preferred Rudy Gay who was selected No 8 by Houston then traded to Memphis for veteran Shane Battier |
