[White ChocolateParticipant]

I believe that Cole Aldrich could have a career similar to Chris “Birdman” Andersen’s. Thay are practically the same size Aldrich is 6-11 w/shoes and Andersen is 6-10 w/shoes Aldrich weighs 236 lbs and Andersen weighs 230 lbs. Does anybody else think that Aldrich is like Andersen? They both are shotblockers and they both have not great, but decent offensive games?

[JoeWolf1]

I think he could provide a shot blocking and rebounding off the bench like Anderson, but Birdman uses his athleticism to create havok and gets most of his points off put backs. I think Cole brings alot of those things to the table, but he uses spacing, wingspan and defensive fundamentals to rebound and block shots. I also thing Aldrich will be a starting center at some point in his career, while birdman, now in his prime is best suited as an energy guy off the bench. So I see what you’re saying and I agree Aldrich could bring a lot of the same things to the table early in his career, but he’ll do so in a very different way than Anderson.

[JNixonParticipant]

Andersen is a shot-blocker and isn’t a very good man-to-man defender. I see Hassan Whiteside as a closer comparison to Birdman than Aldrich.

Aldrich scores alot right at the rim like Andersen, but Aldrich is a bigger pick and roll threat. Andersen is more reliant on athleticism, where Aldrich depends on his length and fundamentals. It’s rare to see Aldrich get knocked out of post position or rebounding position as much as Andersen does (Birdman lacks some lower body strength). Andersen is also more of a risk taker and more mistake-prone.

[Captain LParticipant]

I think the problem with the arguement about Aldrich and whether the Jazz should draft him is some people think the Jazz need to draft a center and some people think we need to draft a PF.
I personally think the Jazz need to draft a PF that is tall, long athletic and is a defensive minded shot blocker.
Those are two different positions that require two different types of players.
To me the Jazz need to draft Boozers replacement, Booz is going to be too expensive and he has shown he is too short and not a very good defensive presence in the paint. Booz just can’t compete with the length of the Lakers PF (Gasol) or the Celts (KG) or Spurs (Duncan) plus a few others. So with the financial problem signing him would create I think we(the Jazz) need to move on and draft his replacement. If there weren’t talented PF’s available I could see the Jazz drafting Aldrich, he does alot of fundamental things well and he is a good rebounder and shot blocker, but he is not a fantastic talent that we should be worried might slip past up and end up being a great player.
That being the case, Udoh, Monroe or Patterson would be the players the Jazz should be targeting.
None of these young players are going to come into the league and light things up, it will take time for most of them to adjust and learn how and what it takes to play at this level.
I like the skill set Udoh brings to the game, he is tall, long, fairly athletic for a PF, he loves Defense, is a good shot blocker, he can handle the ball very good for a PF, he can create his own shot or shots for others because he can handle the ball well enough going left or right. He can shoot from anywhere on the floor inside the college 3. He is a good passer, good offensive rebounder, led the big10 & big12 in rebounding. As a PF he can do pretty much everything you want.
Does he need to get stronger and gain alittle weight? Yes , but most of these kids do, including Aldrich.
Patterson is a very good player, he can go inside or outside but doesn’t quite have the range Udoh has nor can he create off the dribble like Udoh. Udoh is a better shot blocker. Patterson is alittle shorter and has alittle less reach.
As a Jazz fan who watches pretty much all the games, I’m not ready to give up on Fes or KK , both of them have alot of potential and just need Playing time and coaching. Both are 7′ or better and are bigger, taller and stronger than Aldrich. That is why I don’t think it would be good for the Jazz to draft Aldrich, We don’t get a lotter draft pick very often and we need to make the most of it. We need to draft the most talented, skilled big (PF) we can.

[PlatypusParticipant]

i see a little Bill Lambieer in his game

[JoeWolf1]

I personally have Luke Babbit going to Utah at #9 and Aldrich going to Houston at #14, I think Millsap is better and more ready to contribute so to me he is Boozer’s replacement. I think Babbit a guy who can play the 3 and 4 could back up Millsap and if Korver leaves provide outside shooting at the #3 position. I just don’t get why people (especially Utah fans) are so anti-Aldrich, he does a lot of things well and can contribute right away. He isn’t a glamorous pick, but look what Kendrick Perkins does for the Celtics. I think there is an outside shot that the Jazz could take Aldrich, but I think in Patterson you are drafting a very similar player to Millsap and Udoh you are drafting a very similar player to AK47, personally I think Babbit is a great option or Henry (if available) but I think Aldrich would be a very solid pick if he lands there much to the dismay of about every Jazz fan that posts on this site.

[Captain LParticipant]

I can see lot of Lambieer in him but Lambieer had alot more range as a shooter.(and much better form). But both are tough, physical, hard nosed players.

[Captain LParticipant]

Your right, not too many Jazz fans want Aldrich to be the Jazz pick, myself included. I just think there are too many quality players that I like better than Aldrich.
As far as Babbitt is concerned, so far I love him, I have been saying for a few weeks now if the Jazz can’t get Udoh or Monroe, Babbitt would be my next pick, he is very talented, more athletic than people thought, 37.5 vert. 11.0 agility run, he can shoot from pretty much anywhere, he can create off the dribble going left or right, he can drive and pull up for a midrange jumper (not alot of kids do that very well nowadays), he dunks with ease, he’s a great foul shooter, he has very good handles, he is strong, good passer. Offensively he has a pretty complete game. Defensively would be the only question and I think he is athletic enough to ajust and learn what it will take to play good solid defense in the NBA. He can play 2 positions 3 & 4, 4 when small ball is needed, he gives the Jazz a bigger, taller, longer, 3 than CJ (who was force to play the 3 but is better suited to play the 2) and the 3 is a position the Jazz could decide to fill. I wouldn’t be upset at all if the Jazz drafted Babbitt.

[Captain LParticipant]

As far as Milsap is concerned, Yes he will take Boozers place as the starter but we need someone to take his place on the front line and we need someone that is taller, longer, and more defensive minded than Boozer was. That is why I like Udoh , he is 6’10, with long arms 7”4.5 in. reach, defensive minded and a good shot blocker 3.7 per. He has a very versatile offensive game and would be a great replacement for Booz.

[Bison 49Participant]

A big difference between Aldrich and Anderson is that Aldrich will play at around 250 – 260 (listed) once the NBA trainers get ahold of him. He could be more of an Eric Dampier type player. Probably not as much of a beast, but still a physical presence defensively. He is currently at 236, but that will change. Anderson is more athletic (he competed in the dunk competition a few years back, something Aldrich will never do), but not nearly as strong. Definately not as strong once Aldrich eats his spinnach. Birdman came into the league at around 220 (listed) around the age of 23/24, while Aldrich will come in at a listed 240, maybe 250 at around 21. Aldrich will be like a smaller Bogut with a little less offense, shorter hair, and no accent.

The physical similarities really stop at their length. Both are around the same height, and might play similar roles (defensive reserve coming off the bench), but they will play different games, and will impact the game in different ways.

Did not have television back when Lambier played, so cannot comment on that comparison.

[bobbybParticipant]

Anderson== Basehead

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