A damaged Martin, No Swift, Morris.....what is left for us?

[thacabbage]

Is it really worth tanking anymore? Martin will never be the same athlete again and Swift/Morris are out of the equation. At this point there is no real clear-cut #1 pick. It seems like the Top-5 players are all at the same talent level and will just be shuffling around for position on draft day. I like Peterson, D.Johnson, and Etan Thomas right now as my Top-3, but these guys can't hold a candle to Martin, Swift, and Morris.

Sigh...the year we are actually in the lottery pool is the year it dries up. I'm just thankful that we were able to nab Francis.

BTW: Chris Mihm...no.

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"Sources tell me that the Blazers held a team meeting after the two losses..." - "Pistol" Pete Vescey with the inside scoop.

[Groogrux]

Wow cabbage, it's amazing you have so much time to post seeing that you're a doctor and all.

Who says Martin won't be the same athlete again? No one has any way of knowing.

As for Mihm, he's just as good as any you mentioned as top 3 picks, plus his upside is probably much higher than any of those. I wouldn't mind having him as our 5, while moving Cato over to the 4, or even better, out of town. I'm afraid that I believe he's pulled a Maloney...we give him a huge contract for nothing. He argues every call, plays pretty bad defense, and no offense whatsoever.

Mihm would be a huge upgrade over Cato. I think that Mihm playing in a league where it's nearly impossible to double and triple team away from the ball will really open up his game.

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Is it any coincidence that we are the only team mentioned in the national anthem?

I didn't think so!

[thacabbage]

I'm a doctor?

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"Sources tell me that the Blazers held a team meeting after the two losses..." - "Pistol" Pete Vescey with the inside scoop.

[TheFreak]

R95 --

Not being that in to college basketball, I watched my first game of the season on Saturday, UT/LSU. All I can say is that I hope Mihm was sick as hell (the announcers mentioned something along those lines), because his performance bordered on pathetic, IMO. For a 1st Team All-America and a guy everyone says is supposed to be one of the first couple of picks in the draft, I was very unimpressed to say the least. This guy Swift, who looks like he could easily play the 3 or 4 in the NBA, had no trouble with Mihm at all. Where was Mihm in crunch time? Like I said, I hope he was sick, because I was looking forward to seeing the player that's supposed to be one of the first couple of selections in the draft.

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[ROCKETBOOSTER]

If Loren Woods is available when the Rockets pick there is no way they should pass him up.
The guy is 7-1 and averages about 16pts and 4 blocked shots a game, plus he had 10 blocks in one game this season.

Also if the Rockets could some how steal Chris Porter this draft, who I think would fit perfectly right away at small forward for the Rockets, we would be set. Porter has the strength and size to start right away for the Rockets. He may not be the greatest shooter but he makes it up by doing all the other little things.

So if the Rockets manage to draft these two players, it would be an outstanding draft for the Rockets.

What do yall think?


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[Mulder]

When is Jesus Shuttlesworth going pro? That kid got mad game!

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The truth is out there.

[outlaw]

How about Chris Carawell or Shane Battier?
Both are good SF types, which is what we really need.

[rocketsfan34]

Woods is a great choice, however he has more reports of staying in school another year than Morris and Swift reports staying combined.

Chris Porter is one few sleepers I think in the draft. He'll slide a little like Pierce did cuz of his performance this year, but he does have some skills nonetheless.

Carawell, Battier, Pete Mickeal, Desmond Mason, these are all about the same, second- tier SFs.

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A big time draft site has tried to stunt our growth, but we will succeed!

The little draft site that could! (http://www.draftsource.net)

[Francis3]

Well Im really mad that Swift is going to stay, he reminds me of Kevin Garnett. Imagine how good he will be with one more year of college. Scary to think about.

From what I have heard is if terrence morris has bad grades, he will jump to the nba. So lets wish he does bad in school. http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/smile.gif


Kenyon is injured but he can easily be back to what he was. People think this injury is bad. Kenyon is going to be back to perfect by mid May. He will start running in like 6 weeks. He is the player that we should go after.

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President of the Moochie Norris FAN CLUB

[UT Baller]

I think that Mihm will be a productive center in the NBA (hopefully in another year), but he is not what the Rockets need in a center. I would be happy to see the Rox draft one of these three: Dermarr Johnson, Desmond Mason, or Chris Porter. If we had a shot at Mike Miller if he came out I like him also. This is going to be the most important offseason for us in the last 15 years.

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[Groogrux]

Freak,

He had been running a 104 temperature. Plus, as he was getting on the plane on Tuesday, he found out his grandmother died. Someone he was very, very close to. But he chose to play, instead of staying with the family (wow, I wonder what Cuttino would have done?).

I do admit that Mihm was pathetic on Saturday, but I think the circumstances that had been surrounding his week had a lot to do with it.

I really want him to stay another year. It could do nothing but good for his long term game (plus with the transfers and freshmen UT has coming in, the team could be amazing).

But he is an above average athletic center that is much better than anything we have now.

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Is it any coincidence that we are the only team mentioned in the national anthem?

I didn't think so!

[rocketsfan34]

Desmond is a good sleeper is the mold of Pete Mickeal.

If Swift, Moiso, DerMarr and Morris don't come out, we are basically screwed. Cuz we either are forced to trade up to get Martin or Mihm if we want a big guy, or stick with the variety of perimeter guys available at our pick.

I'm leary on taking Etan Thomas. We have Cato already, why draft a shorter version of him with not much better of a offensive game?

Peterson is probably the only logical choice left. He's a swing man we can use not to mention a senior which we all know Rudy likes. He's a good scorer so all you people complaining of another star to carry the load he can do.



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A big time draft site has tried to stunt our growth, but we will succeed!

The little draft site that could! (http://www.draftsource.net)

[RocketScientist]

DO NOT COUNT OUT Kenyon!

He is one serious athlete, and I don't think this injury is going to change anything for him. He is very young and will recover.

If you guys think that he'll never be the same, I think you'll see just how good he is next year.

I hope he gets overlooked for 3 or 4 rounds so we can get our hands on him.

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-Peace to the Believers

[BimaThug]

Chris Porter will NOT be a good pro player. Sure, he can jump out of the gym, but he can't shoot it past two feet from the basket. The Rockets had an athletic player recently who couldn't shoot (Rodrick Rhodes), and where is he now. Not in the league. At the NBA level, there are too many great athletes for someone without a shot to be effective. Look at Vince Carter. The reason he is so dominant is NOT his dunking ability. It's his jumpshot, on which he has worked very hard.

My preferences for the Rockets' draft pick are (in no particular order)

KENYON MARTIN: He should slip with his injury, and he might be worth the wait if he can't play immediately. Still a risk, but an athletic shot-blocker at PF with good size (6-9), good post moves, and great defense just might be worth that risk.

STROMILE SWIFT: He's won me over. I love this kid's athleticism, and he's got size, too, at 6-9/6-10. I also see a little Garnett in him, but I think he reminds me more of Joe Smith. What is this about him staying in school? If he knows he'll be a top 5-6 pick, he'll leave.

DERMARR JOHNSON: A 6-9 shooting guard!!! He's rail-thin, but what an athlete! With a good weight program, he could be a staple for the Rockets at SF. Tracy McGrady with a shot.

MARCUS FIZER: Quickly moving up the charts, he just might be the best player in college basketball right now. A friend of mine, whose brother works in the Bulls front office, told me that Chicago is taking a LONG look at this guy with one of their lottery picks. Size is an issue, but he's got some great post moves and fights hard for rebounds. He's got a bright future.

Then, in the beginning of the second round, with either their pick or Vancouver's (from the original Sam Mack trade a few years ago), the Rockets should take one of the following:

PETE MICKEAL: This kid is a WITCH on defense, perhaps the best non-post defender in college basketball. Rudy likes guys who can play D, but he needs to work on his shot, which might be why he slips out of the first round.

GABE MUONEKE: Undersized, he won't go in the first round. But he has tremendous tenacity on the boards and is powerful. The Rockets likely won't take another short power forward (they already have Kenny Thomas), but he's worth taking a look at.

JABARI SMITH: Swift's teammate at LSU, Smith will likely go in the first round. But if he slips, the Rockets should definitely pick up this 6-11 center.

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[rocketsfan34]

I saw it...another person wants Gabe Muoneke.. LOL http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/biggrin.gif

Brilliantly stated by DaMan, "WHY?!"

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A big time draft site has tried to stunt our growth, but we will succeed!

The little draft site that could! (http://www.draftsource.net)

[This message has been edited by rocketsfan34 (edited March 21, 2000).]

[triplebogey]

I don't know what some of you see in Chris Porter. I've heard him mentioned as a top 10-15 pick. I disagree. Earlier, someone noted his lack of a shot. I agree completely. Not only does he lack any sort of a stroke from beyond 10 feet, but he can't handle the ball either. Look up "tweener" in the dictionary and you'll see Porter's picture. He's a short power forward who won't be able to play that in the NBA and seems destined to be Jerome Lane. Ya'll remember him, right? He was 6' 7" college power forward who rebounded like a madman but couldn't shoot or dribble. No career. Those that are so impressed with Porter's athleticism, I want to point out that this whole league is made up of athletes. You can find athletes like Porter in the CBA. Look at Eddie Robinson with the Hornets, who is an incredible athlete. Just saw the Sonics vs. Pistons on TNT. Was anybody impressed with Ruben Patterson? He is way more athletic than Porter, but again, he can't shoot. Lewis got all the PT down the stretch because he can stroke it. Being an athlete doesn't hurt, but a player that the Rockets are looking to draft needs to distinguish himself by more. If we want to pick an athlete, I'd say trade down and take one of the many "athletic" high schoolers that are planning on declaring. Someone like Gerald Wallace or Darius Miles, both of whom I hear are very gifted.

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[Curly]

Just to get my .02 worth in on Mihm. In reguards to his pathetic play. I too want to put some of the blame on the fact that he had the flu (of course MJ goes for career days with the flu), and that his grandmother passed away. Something else that I was thinking about was the fact that until this year, he has never been in the spot light. Even in high school and the big man camps, there was never anything really special about him. He was just another big man. Not until this year, with the All American hype, and the fact that he is being pushed back and forth about the NBA, has he seen this kind of attention.
At some point, it has to stress him out a little. When the #1 AA Team lable was added to him, I'm sure (well, not really sure) he had to think that there were a few more eyes on him looking for him to fail. Not to mention that since the middle of the year, he has been dealing with staying for a fourth year, or going into the draft.
He starts out being claimed as the solid number #1 pick in the draft....then he falls a little, so maybe he'll stay....then BOOM Martin goes down. Immediatly his stock rises again...should he stay or should he go (da da da da da da plink plink). At some point I think it has to take it's toll.
I personally think he would benifit from an extra year in college to work on his foot work. Yes he could come in now, but he would be better off staying. If for some reason he is around in the draft when the Rockets have the pick...I say go for it!

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In the end there will be no judges...only witnesses to my greatness.

[rocketsfan34]

I wouldn't mind the "Kobe Stopper" here.

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A big time draft site has tried to stunt our growth, but we will succeed!

The little draft site that could! (http://www.draftsource.net)

[UT Baller]

I think that Mihm will be a great pro, but not for us. I think that he best fits into a situation like the one they have in Dallas or in Cleveland.

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[heypartner]

If you don't think there is much left:

get rid of the pick

Would you trade your #1 for Al Harrington? Then ask yourself, would you pick Al Harrington with our #1 if he hadn't come out as a HSer. Hell, who is better than Al in the current draft.

Here's an idea: package Drew and the 1st pick for Fortson and Griffen.

Or the 1st pick straight for Fortson and Boston's pick

This works capwise because we use the 4.5 exception to balance the difference. Let's get creative guys. Look for a power forward in the last three drafts who has proven their worth and realized their potential. Then let's get them for the 6th pick instead of risking a bust or an underachiever. Sure, we foresake getting lucky with a unforeseen gem, but you give up your risk as well.

Who out there is a young, worthy PF other than Fortson and Harrington. How about Kandi. Marcus Camby for #1 and Drew.

Of course, the other thing to do if you don't like any PFs available is pick the most athletic SF or SG and package them with KT/and the exception for any star forward the league: like Webber. You have until Aug 1st to cut such a deal. Who is worthy of KT and our #1?

let's be creative here.

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The farther the Rockets move down the standings, the farther I move down the bleachers.

Glorious times for having fun at the game!

[NIKEstrad]

Porter is expected to be a mid to late 1st rounder.

On Morris and Swift-I'm not completely positive they aren't coming out. I really like Swift's game, and WHAT IF something happens, and say he didn't want his NBA career to distract his team? Or his coach left. Same with Morris. I wouldn't say anyone is not in it, till the time they're allowed to announce it is over, and they didn't.

One name I'm surprised yall haven't mentioned is the Q-Dogg: Quentin Richardson.

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Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com

Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!

[sir scarvajal]

If I remember Jerome Lane was more Barkley-esk in height, really 6' 5" on a good day. Lane was a rebouding machine, great college player without the pro game. Different position, but another guy like this was Stevie Thompson, he was at Syracuse about the same time as Lane was at Pitt. Thompson was a 6' 4" guard who could jump out of the building and was great at driving. But alas, no matter the athleticism, a SG with absolutely no shot doesn't even become a bench warmer in the NBA. Like Lane though, he was an outstanding college player, you can't take that away from them.

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[triplebogey]

I wouldn't mind having Patterson with the Rockets either, but I sure wouldn't pick him in the lottery.

As for Quentin Richardson, I like him but he's 6'5" and plays the 2. We've got Cat and Shandon already and it would be a logjam. If you let Mobes go so that you can pick Richardson, I'd say that it would be a poor call because Richardson doesn't do anything significantly better than Cat does now (except rebounding, but did anyone want Francis cuz he could board?). I'm not saying that Richardson won't be or isn't already a better PLAYER. I'm simply saying that he doesn't grade out much higher than Cuttino in terms of skills. The Q doesn't fit. If we can't get Martin (who might fall to us) or Swift (if he comes out), then I'm in favor of trading the pick and come up with a package, too.

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[This message has been edited by triplebogey (edited March 23, 2000).]

[CriscoKidd]

heypard,
hmmmm... who's worth the Rockets #1 AND KT?

Dennis Rodman
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
ok, seriously,

how about McDyess? Young, talented but i doubt Denver would give him up so easily.

How about for Ceballos AND Gary Trent. I like both those guys.

How bout for Keith Van Horn and a toss in(their pick)?

B. Grant and a toss in(their pick)?

Joe Smith and a toss in(their pick)?

Doleac and a toss in(Harpring, Garrity, Derek Strong, or one of their many draft picks)

hmmm...

all i can think of for now ...
...
....
.....


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Not only am I president of the WaltWizFanClub, I'm also the member.

[gr8-1]

I think Quentin didnt have too good a sophomore year. I know he's versatile, but how athletic is he ?

heypartner : i like fortson, but dont you think he is as good as he's gonna be ? has he peaked ? im not sure i would start him ahead of KT.

Im still hoping for swift to come out, he's raw, but he looks to have a very high ceiling.

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"Don't they get cable in Canada ?" Keith olbermann, after watching hakeem block terry catledge's shot 5 times.

[Groogrux]

Last I checked, Loren Woods plays for the University of Arizona, not Northern Arizona.

So who's the 7 footer on Northern Arizona?

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Is it any coincidence that we are the only team mentioned in the national anthem?

I didn't think so!

[PhiSlammaJamma]

Ok, I looked him up myself. This is the guy on Northern Arizona...

"Northern Arizona is capable of surprising some people because the Lumberjacks have a legitimate 7-footer in Dan McClintock. He has great hands, can run the floor as fast as some guards in his league, and is a tremendous shot blocker. He gives them a good low-post presence. He will get his 15 points against any team.

The fact the Lumberjacks are a great outside shooting team takes away a lot of the double teams down low on McClintock...."

So That's him. Man, he looked for real. It was only one game but he was in complete control against St. Johns. He clearly changed the game. Against St. J he had
9-17 FG, 8 REB, 18 Pts, 4 asst. Scored 32 % of Arizona points.

Senior - 260 lbs. Looked solid. Maybe not that fast, but he looked in shape. 15.5 ppg during the season.





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humble, but hungry.

[sir scarvajal]

Most references say Woods is 7" 1'. He is the most complete seven footer I have seen in college ball since Duncan (yeah, yeah, not that there have been that many). Maybe not quite as fundamentally sound as Mihm offensively, but still pretty good offensively and a fantastic defender. I don't know if he is the 245lbs they list him though, and if I were drafting the big question with him is whether he will continue to have chronic back problems. Could be another great talent with Sam Bowie-esk fragility, it would be a shame. If the Rockets docs say OK, I would trade Cato AND our draft pick to move up and get him if need be.

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[HOOP-T]

He looked no better than Axel Dench of Gonzaga. The Aussie is pretty good. McClintock is pretty fair, but kind of slow and cumbersome. Then again, so are a lot of 7 footers. But Dench has good ability and agility for a 7 footer. I like that kid. Not sure what class he is in though or if he even has any draft possibilities.

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HOOP-T

Hey Shaq, Acme called, and they want their bricks back!

[Elie#17]

I wonder if anyone can name all the legit NBA 3's available in this year's draft.

Or..if anyone thinks that we have a deal to match with a lottery pick, and a player?



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[rocketsfan34]

My bad...I assume when someone talks of a center and I hear arizona I think Woods...

Didn't see Northern...a senior you say? Hmmm...

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A big time draft site has tried to stunt our growth, but we will succeed!

The little draft site that could! (http://www.draftsource.net)

[This message has been edited by rocketsfan34 (edited March 23, 2000).]

[PhiSlammaJamma]

I don't think Syracuse's Stevie Thompson ever got his chance in the NBA. He was an MVP candidate in the CBA and was dominating. I just don't think he was given a fair shot because of his size, but I think he would have found a home if someone would have given him a longer look.

Also, anyone get a good look at the seven foot mammoth on Northern Arizona. Who was that? He had a great touch and was huge. And again, a great touch.

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humble, but hungry.



[This message has been edited by PhiSlammaJamma (edited March 23, 2000).]

[rocketsfan34]

That 7'0 mammoth on Arizona is Loren Woods, however he has said he isn't coming out. So that's the end of that.

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A big time draft site has tried to stunt our growth, but we will succeed!

The little draft site that could! (http://www.draftsource.net)