Who Do the Rockets Take With the 44th Pick

[rocksolid]

All the hype indicates that we take a PF to fill the 'rebounding' void we have in the paint. However, this draft has a flood of 1st round PG talent that will inevitably get drafted in the 2nd round (or not at all) due to the international frenzy.

Three names that I feel could contribute immediately to the Rocks at PG would be:

Jason Gardner - U of A
Jameer Nelson - St. Joes
Troy Bell - Boston College

These guys are unselfish and will be impact players in their rookie season...

[sydmill]

what about Chris Marcus? He is a stiff, but you cant teach size. With him on board we would have replacement for Cato should we decide to use him in a trade (i think we should). Having a 7'1'' 300 lbs. guy throwing his weight around behind Ming to soften up the middle for 10 mins a game would be good. I also like Perkins, Ebi, and Korver but the first 2 will be gone by then. I am really hoping we find some way to move up ( I like the Heat deals a lot to get TJ). If we are looking at PGs in the 2nd I wouldn't mind Bell.

[FrancisFan3]

I think the rockets need one of the three: backup pg, backup sg, and a banger pf

If they are still on the board I would take ...

PG
1. Jameer Nelson
2. Alex Vujajic
3. Troy Bell

SG
1. Dahntay Jones
2. Travis Hansen
3. Ndudi Ebi

PF
1. Kendrick Perkins
2. James Lang

[mfclark]

Originally posted by sydmill
what about Chris Marcus? He is a stiff, but you cant teach size. With him on board we would have replacement for Cato should we decide to use him in a trade (i think we should). Having a 7'1'' 300 lbs. guy throwing his weight around behind Ming to soften up the middle for 10 mins a game would be good.

Marcus is seriously considering retiring due to knee and other assorted leg troubles. The NBA invited him to Chicago for measurements and weight tests, though, to see if there was anything they could do to help extend his career. He'll always have injury problems, though, and is the poster child for not staying in school.

[sydmill]

mf- thanx for the info, I was wondering what was up when I couldn't find him on nbadraft.net's mock. That's a shame that his knees are shot, atleast he got a free education (although he would have been a first rounder 2 years ago a la TMo).

[SLA]

On the mock draft at nbadraft.net, it says that the Rockets will draft LUKE WALTON!!!.....SON OF BILL WALTON! I wouldn't mind drafting him. Then Bill Walton will compliment our team even more! There really aren't that many good players. The Rockets can gamble on some international players from Europe or China...or I still want Kendrick Perkins. The mock draft says he will be drafted at #46...but he says he will withdraw if he will not be drafted in the first round. And by the way...the guy from Westbury Christian....Nbudi Ebi...should think about going to college...

Luke Walton
Birthdate: 3/28/80
NBA Position: Small Forward
College: Arizona
Class: Senior
Ht: 6-9
Wt: 235
Hometown: San Diego, CA
High School: University

Strengths: Mr. Intangibles. Understands the game of basketball. Passes the ball extremely well. Plays with an incredible court sense, something that being around basketball from a very young age (being the son of Bill Walton) helped him develop. He is often the best player on the court due to the intangibles that he brings. Leadership skills are there.

Weaknesses: Doesn't have great speed running the floor, nor super athleticism, but is a decent athlete. Not a super jump shooter.

[kidrock8]

Jason Gardner!?

Give me a break.

He is 10 X's worse than Moochie right now. Gardner is a horrible PG, who can't pass that well, and spends too much time dribbling and shooting 30 ft jumpers. He also has a phobia of defense.

Gardner will be an average player in Europe.

[leebigez]

Originally posted by mfclark
Marcus is seriously considering retiring due to knee and other assorted leg troubles. The NBA invited him to Chicago for measurements and weight tests, though, to see if there was anything they could do to help extend his career. He'll always have injury problems, though, and is the poster child for not staying in school.

You mean he's the poster child for staying in school. If he had come out like he was suppose to last yr, he would have been a lotto pick which is worth millions. So even if he was unable to play the upcoming season like Borchardt did this past season, he would have been at least paid and able to get professional treatment. Chris Marcus in hoops and Lee Stevens in football are the reason why these kids come out and get the money. A player can always go back nd pay for school with the millions they'll get from their contract. If he could look into the future, he should have stayed in the draft last yr.

Speaking of the Rockets draft pick, it would be nice to se them move up to #31 to get that player who is going to have 1st rd talent, but get squeezed out. One of those international players or one of the highly touted high school senior or college senior is going ot get squeezed into the 2nd rd. The influx of the international players have really deepened these drafts recently.

[a la rockets]

Originally posted by SLA
There really aren't that many good players. The Rockets can gamble on some international players from Europe or China...or I still want Kendrick Perkins. The mock draft says he will be drafted at #46...but he says he will withdraw if he will not be drafted in the first round.

No good players in the draft?!Are you kidding me?!
With the Euro hype,A LOT of 1st rounders are going to be pushed in the the 2nd.Guys like Perkins,Rickerts or Jones will still be there at the 46th pic.Any other year these guys would have been potential mid to late first rounders!


ALA

[rocksolid]

Originally posted by kidrock8
Jason Gardner!?

Give me a break.

He is 10 X's worse than Moochie right now. Gardner is a horrible PG, who can't pass that well, and spends too much time dribbling and shooting 30 ft jumpers. He also has a phobia of defense.

Gardner will be an average player in Europe.

C'mon guy. At best, Moochie is a reserve in the 'And 1' Streetball league. He brings nothing to the table for the Rockets. He's everything a PG shouldn't be...undisciplined, lacks leadership/fundamentals, and has no defensive savy...So he's hit a couple clutch shots in his career with the Rockets....That doesn't mean he's worth his monstrous contract...

any of the PGs I mentioned would bring discipline, leadership, defense, fundamentals to the table...

Also, I'd like to have Luke Walton and love to pick Ebi, but I think Ebi will go mid-1st round...What would Luke play, the 3? Back-up Posey??? Not bad, actually...

I think Chris Marcus is a stiff. Too injury-prone...one more year of school might help to prove his worth.

[JDWalters]

I think the Rockets should get Steve Blake. This team already has enough shooters and Blake is more than happy to spread it around but not afraid to take a shot when he needs to. He would be a perfect fit to the Rockets because he led a very up-tempo offense at Maryland, which would greatly benefit the Rox IMHO. He is also awesome on defense. While Jay Williams was still at Duke, Blake was one of the PGs that gave him trouble and several times outplayed him. Blake would give us the versatility to switch Francis over to SG if Van Gundy wanted to do so. If he is still available at 44 (which he probably will), we should definitely consider him.
http://nbadraft.net/profiles/steveblake.htm

[Joe Joe]

Jason Kapono, UCLA
Can shoot the rock, but defense is wanting.

Hollis Price
Need more guards if Posey leaves, but quotes from chronicle show Posey has an interest in staying. Price will be able to stretch defense, but he is smaller than Ford and is a shooting guard.

Kendrick Perkins if available may be a decent flyer pick.

[mfclark]

Originally posted by leebigez
You mean he's the poster child for staying in school. If he had come out like he was suppose to last yr, he would have been a lotto pick which is worth millions.

The difference is that you don't know what would've happened to him if he went to the NBA. It's likely - but not certain - he would've gotten injured again.

Re: Borchardt - people knew that Borchardt was injury-prone coming into the draft. Two years ago, they didn't know that about Marcus.

Marcus' situation is more akin to Willis McGahee, assuming he hadn'tve gotten hurt in the natl. title game, and thus why I stand by my original line of thinking.

[TIburon]

PF all the way...

I don't want no freakin HS kid... We are already one of the youngest teams and have a 19-20 yr. old PF... Why add another one... Plus Yao Mingh is 21-22...

NBAdraft.net is a good website to see how things could pan out but they have been changing that mock draft every few weeks and now with that European big man skyrocketing up the charts, its just not a very good to really trust...

I've seen Houston listed at taking Travis Hanson, Kyle Korver, Uche Nsonwu-Amadi, Walton's son and now as of 6/9/03 Pacellis Morlende a 6'2 PG from France...

I would love to add Uche Nsonwu-Amadi a 6'9/245 banger that rebounds and by nbadraft.net scouting call him a Charles Oakley type player but Amadi has a huge wingspan... A great rebounder and just a physical specimen of a player... Dream had Thorpe, Yao Mingh sure could use a physical guy like this...

If this Morlende guy is good I won't argue... The Walton kid isn't bad buy why did we take Boki if we're going after a SF again... Doubt we take him... Hanson is said to be a 1st rounder now and Korver has dropped some...

[mr_gootan]

Marquis Daniels; Auburn; 6-6, 200
Comparison: Joe Johnson. 2002-03 Stats: 18.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.3 apg.
How he'll impress: His great run in the NCAA Tournament makes him one of the hot names out there. Versatility is his greatest asset; he played four positions at Auburn, including the point.

(courtesy of CBS Sportsline)

[kidrock8]

Originally posted by rocksolid
C'mon guy. At best, Moochie is a reserve in the 'And 1' Streetball league. He brings nothing to the table for the Rockets. He's everything a PG shouldn't be...undisciplined, lacks leadership/fundamentals, and has no defensive savy...So he's hit a couple clutch shots in his career with the Rockets....That doesn't mean he's worth his monstrous contract...

any of the PGs I mentioned would bring discipline, leadership, defense, fundamentals to the table...

Also, I'd like to have Luke Walton and love to pick Ebi, but I think Ebi will go mid-1st round...What would Luke play, the 3? Back-up Posey??? Not bad, actually...

I think Chris Marcus is a stiff. Too injury-prone...one more year of school might help to prove his worth.

YOu missed my point...

I hate Moochie Norris more than anyone. My point was that as bad as Moochie is, Gardner is even worse.

If you've seen him play, you'll notice how long it takes him to setup the half court offense. Gardner is only good at shooting clutch 3s. He plays no defense, doesn't distribute the ball at all, and is very turnover prone.

[rocksolid]

Originally posted by kidrock8
YOu missed my point...

I hate Moochie Norris more than anyone. My point was that as bad as Moochie is, Gardner is even worse.

If you've seen him play, you'll notice how long it takes him to setup the half court offense. Gardner is only good at shooting clutch 3s. He plays no defense, doesn't distribute the ball at all, and is very turnover prone.

You might be right, we'll just have to wait and see...but when I think of 'only good at shooting clutch 3s...plays no defense, doesn't distribute the ball at all, and is very turnover prone,' I envision Moochie...

Anything would be an upgrade.

[Sir Geving]

If Dahntay Jones, Rick Rickert, James Lang or Kendrick Perkins drop to our 44th pick we should definetly draft one of those guys IMO.

[Mulder]

As of 06/09/03, the 44th pick has switched to...

Paccelis Morlende PG from France.

OK, are they thinking that we have another Tony Parker here?

link (http://superguide.telebasket.com/player_info.asp?id_player=5137)

[TIburon]

Try not to get caught up in who is hot after the NCAA tournament...

I'm not big on who's the hot player everyone is talking about...

I don't care about big name prospects like Ebi, Perkins or Lang...

Whatever position we take will be a role player not a starter...

The Morlende guy has just played the PG this past season, him analysis says he's more of a 2 guard trying to learn the PG position... Well we don't need a guy trying to learn the position, for that we have Stevie who has played the position 3-4 years...

I'd rather go with a true PG like Steve Blake, if he's worth taking at that position...

Still rather go with Amadi, if not the a PG wouldn't be bad...

[leebigez]

Originally posted by mfclark
The difference is that you don't know what would've happened to him if he went to the NBA. It's likely - but not certain - he would've gotten injured again.

Re: Borchardt - people knew that Borchardt was injury-prone coming into the draft. Two years ago, they didn't know that about Marcus.

Marcus' situation is more akin to Willis McGahee, assuming he hadn'tve gotten hurt in the natl. title game, and thus why I stand by my original line of thinking.

Think about this. Had Marcus came out, he would have been lotto. A little time after that he's slotted in te rookie slot and gets guaranteed money for at least 3yrs. After that if he gets hurt, he can rehab and collect his money like Borchardt. If he never plays a nba game because of injuries, his millions would be there and he could could return for his degree a millionaire. Listening to people who didn't know had him missin out on millions of dollars. Thats a reason why your statement made no sense.

[The Jet]

regarding Chris Marcus:

The reason why Marcus didn't enter the draft and did go back to school is because he injured his foot before the draft during his jr season and the nba people were not going to draft him in the first round since he was a injury risk.

[NIKEstrad]

lee- mfclark said that Marcus is the posterchild for NOT staying in school (ergo, he should've come out when his status was hot). You two are saying the same thing, IMO.

The fact that the Rockets are postponing the compensation of a 2nd rounder to the Knicks tells me that they have a few guys they like that should be around at 44 or so. Odds are, you're not going to find a guy who can step in and be the starting PG immediately (or ever, for that matter) at 44, or a guy that's going to be a starting PF in this league.

Considering the Rockets needs and this draft, I suspect the target will be a shooter- Korver, Kapono, Hansen or one of the cerebral wing players in Luke Walton and Matt Carroll.

[thumbs]

If there is a TALL, talented point guard left when the Rockets draft, then it's a no brainer. If not, K. Perkins would be a steal.and we will need another reserve big man in case we lose Jason Collier. However, Perkins won't last to #44 because the league is too starved for big men.

Bell and Banks are only 6-1, so that would leave the Rockets with a munchkin backcourt. Blake and Marcus may go undrafted, so we could invite them to camp without spending a draft choice.

[tozai]

Originally posted by kidrock8
Jason Gardner!?

Give me a break.

He is 10 X's worse than Moochie right now. Gardner is a horrible PG, who can't pass that well, and spends too much time dribbling and shooting 30 ft jumpers. He also has a phobia of defense.

Gardner will be an average player in Europe.

Agreed. At least someone here has actually WATCHED the prospects instead of reading nbadraft.net. I really doubt there are many immediate PG options at #44 in this draft. I'd rather we go after a project post player.

[mfclark]

Originally posted by leebigez
Think about this. Had Marcus came out, he would have been lotto. A little time after that he's slotted in te rookie slot and gets guaranteed money for at least 3yrs. After that if he gets hurt, he can rehab and collect his money like Borchardt. If he never plays a nba game because of injuries, his millions would be there and he could could return for his degree a millionaire. Listening to people who didn't know had him missin out on millions of dollars. Thats a reason why your statement made no sense.

I can see where you're coming from there, an ambiguity on my part....like Nike said above, we're trying to say the same thing.

[rocksolid]

Originally posted by tozai
Agreed. At least someone here has actually WATCHED the prospects instead of reading nbadraft.net. I really doubt there are many immediate PG options at #44 in this draft. I'd rather we go after a project post player.

like who?

[Desert Scar]

Gardner will be a very good player in Europe. A great leader, very physically tough, steady with the ball, heady under pressure, etc. At his size to make the NBA he would have to be an athletic phenom (Ford, Webb) or shoot great (D Stoud, Dana Barros) neither of which he is, but he will be an outstanding 2nd tier (Euro, America) league player.

Walton will probably go late 1st round--he is not an option unless we trade. The only reason he might fall is physical concerns (feet).

With a mid 40s pick you might as well take a gamble. If Walton or another comparable talent fell via health concerns you might as well take a chance, or go with a HS or Europe kid with some potential. No on a Kapono or Carrol, maybe on Daniels, Korver, Rickert or Jones--at least those guys are less unidimensional. I like Price or Blake's backcourt mate if entered more than Blake--Blake just doesn't at all look like NBA material to me. Tommy Smith--total collegiate underachiver but with some elements/features of a pro PF might be an interesting pickup too.

[Matador]

Originally posted by TIburon
Yao Mingh is 21-22...


first time I've ever seen Yao's name spelled wrong (except for the occasional Yoa)

On nbadraft I've seen them projecting taking the likes of Josh Powell, Luke Walton, and currently they have us tabbed to take Pacellis Morlende a quick French point guard (Tony Parker wannabe?)

[zrader1]

Hey ya'll just curious what do you think about Andre Emmett from Texas Tech? I have had a chance to see him play a lot he's prety talented if I do say myself. Good old bobby said he was the best player he's ever coached and that says a lot anyways just curious on your thoughts. Plain and simple the boy has skills!!!

[TIburon]

Nah... I'd rather have Bernard King:p

Honestly, I like Andre Emmitt but I think he better go back to TT personally...

Work on a outside shot... He gets a comfortable shot from the perimeter (even if he's a spot up shooter like Mario Elie), he'll definitely be very hard to guard even though he already is...

Didn't Coach Knight say that about him before last season? I remember Emmitt being suspended with Valdez(missed the UT game)...

[kidrock8]

Originally posted by thumbs
If there is a TALL, talented point guard left when the Rockets draft,

Only Reece Gaines would really fit this mold. And no way does he slip into the 2nd round.

[kidrock8]

Originally posted by Desert Scar
Gardner will be a very good player in Europe. A great leader, very physically tough, steady with the ball, heady under pressure, etc. At his size to make the NBA he would have to be an athletic phenom (Ford, Webb) or shoot great (D Stoud, Dana Barros) neither of which he is, but he will be an outstanding 2nd tier (Euro, America) league player.

Walton will probably go late 1st round--he is not an option unless we trade. The only reason he might fall is physical concerns (feet).



I don't see much in Garnder at all. I do think he is a good leader, but skill-wise I don't see anything that he's good at. I really don't think he's steady with the ball at all. I just see a SG trapped in a PGs body. I don't think he did enough playmaking at Zona. Which isn't totally his fault, since he was surrounded by studs everywhere, which eliminated his # of touches.

I accidentally deleted your comment about Tommy Smith... As a former ASU student, I really don't like Smith. He is a very good run/jump athlete, but he rarely uses his brains. He would have decent games when he wouldn't foul out in the 1st half. Moreover, he's a SF without a jumper or a PF without any muscle. I really don't know what his role would be on an NBA team. He could thrive with an uptempo PG, but how many of them are out there?

[mfclark]

Originally posted by kidrock8
Only Reece Gaines would really fit this mold. And no way does he slip into the 2nd round.

Well...there are the international prospects. Maybe not the mot heralded ones, but there will be some available in the mid-2nd round who may not be able to come over immediately, but can make an impact down the road. Along the lines of Vujanic, perhaps.

[Ottomaton]

Regarding Chris Marcus, his intentions, and his status there is a really enlightening article on espn.com here (http://sports.espn.go.com/nbadraft/d03/story?id=1566976) that goes through his situation and disposition, etc. I seem to remember that there was a bunch of stuff about CD being a fan before last year's draft. I wouldn't put it past the Rockets to take a flyer on him as a #3/IR player, given that they're going to be jettisoning Jason Collier. At their position in the draft, looking for much more than a role player with a good attitude and some potential wouldn't seem overly realistic, Cuttino Mobley's of the world not withstanding.

It is also intresting to note that Marcus' history of ankle problems and Pavel Podkolzine's history of ankle problems are getting very different play. One wonders how much Pavel's situation would be different if each one of his injuries had played out at a US college in real time, rather than being seen on paper only after the fact.

[drpepper]

#44) Justin Hamilton, Sr. PG (6-4 with 6-11 wing span) out of Florida. Awesome player with good potential for the 44th pick. 56% fg and 40% 3pt . Also an excellent defender and good finisher with a 38 inch verticle and that wing span. He would be the best replacement for Mooch. Only scores when needed to.

Kirk Penny. Plan B.

[giddyup]

Originally posted by drpepper
#44) Justin Hamilton, Sr. PG (6-4 with 6-11 wing span) out of Florida.
Do you mean U of F or somewhere else?

[Mango]

Originally posted by giddyup
Do you mean U of F or somewhere else?

<a HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=2846">Justin Hamilton</a>

Sounds like he could be invited to camp as a Free Agent. Tito is on the outs........so invite several guys to training camp and see what happens.

[triplebogey]

Speaking of tall point guard types, after checking out the latest ESPN mock draft, it seems like Boris Diaw has a chance of slipping into the second round. If so, he's my vote for the Rockets pick.

Diaw, from France, is a tall PG-type that has a pass-first mentality. He's being listed at 6'9", but ESPN seems pretty sure of his ability to play the point. You know, picking a guy like this will add fuel to the "move Steve to SG" fire.

[thumbs]

Originally posted by triplebogey
Speaking of tall point guard types, after checking out the latest ESPN mock draft, it seems like Boris Diaw has a chance of slipping into the second round. If so, he's my vote for the Rockets pick.

Diaw, from France, is a tall PG-type that has a pass-first mentality. He's being listed at 6'9", but ESPN seems pretty sure of his ability to play the point. You know, picking a guy like this will add fuel to the "move Steve to SG" fire. Yep, Ford, Hinrch and Diaw could slip down to #44. Sure. It's possible ... but not likely.

Our best chance is to go for a cash strapped team with a late, late first rounder for one of the Rocket's lesser lights and #44. BTW, whatever happened to PG Kyle Hill? He went to Europe but we still own his rights, don't we?

Also, does anybody have opinions on Matt Carroll of Notre Dame? He's 6-6, 212 and a 4-year player with solid credentials.

[drpepper]

Good all around college player with nice touch, but so was Dan Langhi.
So was Casey Jacobson.
Get my gist?

[thumbs]

Originally posted by drpepper
Good all around college player with nice touch, but so was Dan Langhi. So was Casey Jacobson. Get my gist? I do. However, I know Perkins and Lang will be gone before #44, so I have been looking at alternatives, and the Rockets do need a shooting guard backup if Steve stays at the point.

[triplebogey]

Yep, Ford, Hinrch and Diaw could slip down to #44. Sure. It's possible ... but not likely

thumbs...I have no idea where you're getting that from. The ESPN article is in their "Insider" section, or else I would have posted a link. Either way, I have not heard or read ANY reports of Ford or Hinrich slipping to even the bottom of the FIRST round, much less #44. Andy Katz and Chad Ford have TJ Ford going at latest #8 to the Bucks and Hinrich going at #10.

Boris Diaw, on the other hand, has been projected all over the place...from mid-first round to second round. Hardly in the same catagory as TJ and Kirk Hinrich. Take that with a grain of salt, if you like, but just know that he's not a lock as of now. Certainly, if he does slip, it wouldn't be nearly as big of a shock as if Ford or Hinrich were to drop.

[rocketfan83]

How abot Rick Rickert from Minnesota?

http://www.nbadraft.net/profiles/rickrickert.htm


I believe that NBADraft.net had this man going #1 overall pick in the 2004 draft for the longest time. What happened? Now hes projected as the 47th pick.

The rockets should take whomever the best player is. At 44 just get the best player available or a project that you can work on for a few years.

[thumbs]

Originally posted by triplebogey
Certainly, if he does slip, it wouldn't be nearly as big of a shock as if Ford or Hinrich were to drop. TB, you missed my subtle sarcasm (not rude sarcasm though). Diaw will never fall as low as #44 under any circumstance much less out of the first round.

My point is that you may as well wish for Ford to fall to #44. In fact, Perkins (my choice) or Lang or any of the bruisers will not fall to us. The best we can hope for is a shooting guard like this Carroll kid out of Notre Dame and hope he surprises everyone by becoming a decent backup.

[W Texas Rocket]

Hollis Price, Then we can move Mobely.

[Do WHAT?]

Trade the second rounder.... Hoping to get a higher pick in the future. The Rockets all ready have second round bench warmers on the team with contracts.

[xiki]

Aren't there 29 NBA teams? If Rox were 13th worst, then should they not be drafting #42? Except they had better records than Milwaukee and Orlando, East playoff teams, and drop behind them in 2nd round draft order.

I find this odd, actually.

[PhiSlammaJamma]

In my opinion you pick a specialist this late. A three point god. A hunk of meat. Or a leaper. Someone who can give you something if you need it. If you can't get that. You draft a guy who everyone has given up on because of an injury. Or someone who was a phenom fresh that fluffed out . Like Kapono. You take a stab in the dark and hope to get a diamond.

[mfclark]

Insider's draft guide (i.e. 1st and 2nd round mocks) has the Rockets interested in someone along the lines of Ron Dupree...a college senior.

[KevinLavergne]

Dantey Jones-SG-Duke

[TIburon]

I just think you take the best available player...

A shooter would be nice(pure stroking shooter) Kirk Penney, Kyle Korver type shooter...

Or a defensive specialist Dantey Jones(I like is physical presence) or Marquis Daniels...

There should be some good role players at #44 just a matter on which way you want to go...

Do we add a Big man (backup player) PF/C

Or do we add a PG..

[Mr. Mooch]

I completely forgot about this guy:

Erwin Dudley!!!

He will no doubt be available at the 44th pick. He was not great this past season and hasn't been able to work out for teams because of a leg injury in April.

But 2 seasons ago he was the SEC Player of the Year and would've been a lottery pick. Unfortunately, this year he sucked the second half of the season due to minor injuries and not a great supporting cast.

Here (http://www.al.com/sports/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/sports/1056446370288970.xml)'s an article about him in today's Birmingham News.

He would be a great steal, and a pretty good power forward. I'd say he's better (potential wise) than Chris Wilcox was last year. I'm not trying to be biased or influential, but THAT is who should be selected!

[thumbs]

Originally posted by Mr. Mooch
I completely forgot about this guy:

Erwin Dudley!!!

He will no doubt be available at the 44th pick. He was not great this past season and hasn't been able to work out for teams because of a leg injury in April.


He would be a great steal, and a pretty good power forward. I'd say he's better (potential wise) than Chris Wilcox was last year. I'm not trying to be biased or influential, but THAT is who should be selected! Awwhhhhhrggg! He's from the University of Alabama! Do you know by what curse the Rockets are under when they draft a UofA product (does Buck Johnson and Derrick Chievious ring a bell)?

[Smoke]

Didn't they break the jinx when they drafted Robert Horry?

[thumbs]

Originally posted by Smoke
Didn't they break the jinx when they drafted Robert Horry? Not really. Horry never became the player we hoped -- although he had his moments -- and then he got traded for Barkley (who was over the hill at that point) so we never gpt full value from him.

[Houston Native]

Originally posted by thumbs
Awwhhhhhrggg! He's from the University of Alabama! Do you know by what curse the Rockets are under when they draft a UofA product (does Buck Johnson and Derrick Chievious ring a bell)?

I think Derrick Chievious ("bandaid man") went to the Univ. of Missouri.


Houston Native

[tierre_brown]

I'm new to clutchcity.net and I like all this excitement over the 44th pick because, let's face it, there are a lot of sleeper picks that are likely to fall into the mid second round. It's very obvious that we need a PG to backup Stevie and take playing time away from the TO machine that is Moochie Norris. A rebounding force would be nice, but not necessary as Kelvin Cato came into his own last year. As for the draft, I have a few names I'd like to throw out there and get your comments: Jason Kapono, Marcus Banks (haven't seen him play, but supposedly is good backup PG material), Matt Carroll, Ebi Ere, Travis Hansen, Steve Blake, Kyle Korver. I was wondering if these people are even going to be drafted, and if not, then if the Rockets should or should not invite them to camp. I believe most of them have a great chance to fit into the Rockets system.

[Roc Paint]

The All American Game just started on espn.

[Rocketsss]

Rox should pick up a 7+ footer to form a double towers.:D :D :D

[ILuvEddie33]

Originally posted by FrancisFan3
I think the rockets need one of the three: backup pg, backup sg, and a banger pf

If they are still on the board I would take ...

SG
1. Dahntay Jones
2. Travis Hansen
3. Ndudi Ebi
I thought Ebi was a PF!? Aint he like 6´9.?

[Matador]

the current nbadraft.net ranking has us taking 7' 6" Slavko Vranes ! :eek:

I don't really know anything about him but can you imagine playing 2 guys 7'5" plus!

[thumbs]

Originally posted by Matador
the current nbadraft.net ranking has us taking 7' 6" Slavko Vranes ! :eek:

I don't really know anything about him but can you imagine playing 2 guys 7'5" plus! Twin Skyscrapers (Yao moves to PF)! With Eddie at SF, that's 22 feet of paint presence. Only outside shooting could beat the Rocks.:)

[r-fan-since-81]

Originally posted by Matador
the current nbadraft.net ranking has us taking 7' 6" Slavko Vranes ! :eek:

I don't really know anything about him but can you imagine playing 2 guys 7'5" plus!

If we draft this guy consider Cato gone.

[robbie380]

That guy sounds like he needs A TON of work though. I don't think Cato would be expendable anytime soon.

[Dusty Bottoms]

All reports show Slavko to be a big stiff who has received very little international playing time. Hmm...Mark Eaton without that amazing athletic ability?? :rolleyes:
Upside: Eaton Downside: Serje Zwikker
Blah.

I would LOVE to see Troy Bell slide down. I think the Rockets need someone who can score off the bench. And let's bee honest, while there are second round surprises out there, when has one of those surprises EVER been a big man? Guards slide, not 7'5" guys who have any talent whatsoever.

Speaking of guards, one guy that looks interesting too is Kristaps Valters from Latvia. Reports list him as a quick playmaking point guard with a good outside shot. Sounds good right? Well he's all of 160 pounds and hasn't played in a major Euro League. Haven't seen him on any of the draft radars but hey, what do you want at pick 44???

[carlos]

I would like to see the Rockets pick up Steve Blake and pick up a free agent PG. I saw one the Tournament games with Blake at the point and he was impressive at times. I think if he was the third string pg he could develop into a decent second string pg.
Then Moochie gets lumped into whatever trade we can make for a more defensive minded four.

If the Rockets do pass on him perhaps they can get lucky and he will go undrafted and they can bring him in to camp.

[rocketfat]

rick rickert.

[thumbs]

Wow. I never would have believed it, but watching this prep game that precedes the draft, I can't help but notice that Lang is kicking Perkins' behind. I'm switching opinions and now hope that Lang falls to the Rockets.