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Utah Jazz: Why You Should Get Ready For Frank Kaminsky

By DJoumbarey A. Moreau

Mar 22, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) celebrates after making a basket against the Oregon Ducks during the second half in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) celebrates after making a basket against the Oregon Ducks during the second half in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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I never believed the hype about Frank Kaminsky.

It took a high spirited coworker who sat in the cubicle in front of me screaming daily about “Frank The Tank” after slamming his coffee cup in the black waste bin beside him to get me to start believing.

Time and time again after he would come back from the break room with a prepared K-Cup dark black coffee and like clockwork would randomly ask…

“What do you know about my boy Kaminsky, D’Joumbarey?” 

“Nothing at all” I answered sarcastically.

This was before the 2014-15 college basketball season. This was around the same time when I said this.

"Instead of living and dying on jump shots, Duke will have a talented big man on the block that they can throw the basketball to, and get a quality look at the rim.Everyone grab a plate and get ready to feast this year, because when Duke plays in your city get ready to have a taste of Duke NCAA Championship Jambalaya. Get your bibs ready, and get ready to feast.Come back for seconds if you want more."

It’s been two final four appearances, an awesome national championship game performance, a National Player of the Year award victory over a future 10-time All-Star in Jahlil Okafor and the hard work and dedication to raise the standard of the Wisconsin Badgers basketball program and I can finally say that I’m starting to believe.

The Utah Jazz need Frank Kaminsky.

Apr 3, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (left) , head coach Bo Ryan (middle) and Oscar Robertson at the USBWA Oscar Robertson Player of the Year press conference before the 2015 NCAA Men
Apr 3, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (left) , head coach Bo Ryan (middle) and Oscar Robertson at the USBWA Oscar Robertson Player of the Year press conference before the 2015 NCAA Men /

You might be skeptical like most people.

You might even be like me, a person that understands the value of Kaminsky’s career. If you’re like me then you too understand how valuable it is to have a big man who can stretch the floor. There’s no other prospect in the 2015 NBA Draft that is more polished as a perimeter scoring big man than Kaminsky.

Having the luxury of having a perimeter oriented big man is something that the Jazz have gotten used to over the years since the Karl Malone days.

The best part about Kaminsky is that he’s already a polished player and he’s still young.

In an interview with Matt Velazquez of the Journal Sentinel, Kaminsky said this:

"I’ve said it before. I’m 22 years old and I get treated like I’m 65 going into the NBA. It’s not necessarily that I’m young or old, it’s just I don’t think that age plays as big a deal as some people think it does….On the offensive end I bring a versatile skill set. I can fit in with systems, I can fit in with people. I feel like I have a good personality and I’m committed to winning."

When you hear Kaminsky speak with such conviction about his offensive ability it makes you start to wonder. For myself I started to think about how well Kaminsky would fit in playing for the Chicago Bulls.

A second big next to Joakim Noah or Pau Gasol that could get his shot off without taking up space. As well as having an All-Star mentor in Gasol that could help him develop into a big-time player. Oh yeah, Kaminsky would be the third (debate over E’Twaun Moore if you’d like) player on the Bulls roster that has ties to Illinois. If Kaminsky would be a great fit playing in Chicago, then why not bring him to Salt Swat Lake City instead?

Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) drives against Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) in the second half in the 2015 NCAA Men
Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) drives against Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) in the second half in the 2015 NCAA Men /

Kaminsky would play along a defensive monster in waiting in Rudy Gobert who swats shots so ferociously that he’s starting to become the sole reason why Vine was invented.

Kaminsky would never have to have the ideal defense to fit in either. Sure he can defend well now but the 7’1 234 pound forward could still add weight to his frame and become a much stronger defender. At least he’s good for the moment.

Better thing is, it allows either Derrick Favors or Gobert an opportunity to rest. That three-headed big man rotation that was utilized when Enes Kanter was there is an idea that created a lot of continuity. The biggest difference between Kaminsky and Kanter is that one of them is expected to come off the bench. Either way his sacrifice to play off the bench will pay his career dividends.

Remember how I mentioned Gasol being a mentor to Kaminsky if he managed to play for the Bulls? How about I raise you one better? Mehmet Okur is the person who Kaminsky would learn from in Utah. Okur was originally going to mentor Kanter but it never panned out the way that it was planned. However, Kaminsky and Okur share more similar games and the rookie would benefit from Okur’s wisdom.

The Jazz have the structure system, the right support system defensively, they got the hunger and they’ve got the patience to develop Kaminsky into a great NBA player.

Somewhere in my heart I want to believe that Kaminsky would join the Jazz and become great.


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