"The pressure's on.

The Utah Jazz have the No. 3 pick in tonight's annual NBA Draft, plus the No. 12 selection. Most folks figure this draft could conceivably hold the key in the franchise's quest to become a strong playoff contender again after they staggered to a 39-43 finish last season and missed postseason play for just the fourth time since 1984.

After all, the last time the Jazz held the third draft pick, in 2005, they selected point guard Deron Williams. And, after Utah missed the playoffs from 2004-2006, Williams emerged as a star who helped the Jazz return to the NBA's postseason party from 2007-09.

They're hoping the players they get with tonight's two top-12 picks might have the same sort of impact.

"I think it is (big), because of having the third pick," Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said Monday in his final media interview prior to the draft. "I thought we did it pretty good the last time when we had the third pick after trading up from six, and can we do it again this year? I hope so. "