Houston Rockets Draft Preview (14th Overall) DraftPreview: Rockets Picks Owned: 14th Areas Of Need With the exception of the center position where it is a little thin behind Yao Ming, the Rockets have quality and depth at every position on the floor. The collection of rotation assets have proven to be somewhat easy, but they need to consolidate some of those into a higher quality core that can compete against the superstars of the NBA. The Rockets struggled offensively in ISOs and in transition, which is sometimes a sign that the overall talent level is a little low even if they are good collectively. Because the Rockets don't have one of the top picks in the draft, acquiring a player of an All-Star caliber isn't realistic in this draft and it makes their trade for Kevin Martin all the more invaluable. Since a future All-Star is unlikely to be acquired, the Rockets should largely ignore the best player available mentality and fill a need, which is at center behind Yao Ming. Even if Yao's health was not in doubt, the Rockets would need to address the position and the fragility of the situation makes it more imperative. Draft Targets Assuming the Rockets do indeed go with a big and don't move up, they will likely choose between a group that includes Hassan Whiteside, Daniel Orton. Whiteside feels like the better pick since he will be an impact shotblocker and also has enough upside with his jumper to become an inside/outside threat offensively. The Rockets can afford to take a chance and Whiteside is clearly a boom or bust type of prospect. If the Rockets do move up, they may be able to choose between Cole Aldrich and Ekpe Udoh. Both players should transition immediately and on an impact level on the defensive end and I expect both to be at least functionally productive on the offensive end eventually. It wouldn't shock me to see the Rockets go with the best player available ultimately, because Morey can also improve the team in that area of need this offseason by way of trades. Draft History 2009: Jermaine Taylor, 32nd / Chase Budinger, 44th 2008: Donte Greene, 28th 2007: Aaron Brooks, 26th 2006: Steve Novak, 32nd 2005: Luther Head, 24th 2004: None 2003: None 2002: Yao Ming, 1st / Bostjan Nachbar, 15th 2001: Eddie Griffin, 7th 2000: Jason Collier, 15th *Only notable second round picks listed No offense intended to Carroll Dawson since he had the good sense of turning Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley into Tracy McGrady, but the quality of Houston's draft selections upgraded immensely when Daryl Morey began making the club's draft selections. Morey will finally get an early pick to work with in this draft, but he's done very well in securing Brooks late in the first and Budinger in the middle of the second round. History of the 14th Overall Pick 2009: Earl Clark, Suns, 8.5 2008: Anthony Randolph, Warriors, 17.6 2007: Al Thornton, Clippers, 12.4 2006: Ronnie Brewer, Jazz, 15.8 2005: Rashad McCants, Wolves, 12.9 2004: Kris Humphries, Jazz, 13.3 2003: Luke Ridnour, Sonics, 14.5 2002: Fred Jones, Pacers, 11.3 2001: Troy Murphy, Warriors, 16.0 2000: Mateen Cleaves, Pistons, 8.5 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Not really informative. First he says the Rockets shouldn't go with the best player mentality and fill a need. Then he says it wouldn't surprise him if the Rockets went with the best player available. Okay so he is in a rush trying to post all the teams by tomorrow but still at least to put a little more research or just copy draftexpress. Anyway here is for your reading pleasure
14 sanders second round varnado trade budinger&cash for 17th elliot williams two guys that block shots the best in country i would have listed whiteside but hear his attitude is like eddie griffin
There someone goes again, talking about need instead of talent. Daryl Morey does not draft on need. Plus, aren't RealGM articles invalid sources around here?
If this were *news* or even *rumors*, then yes, it would be considered crap....and after reading the article itself (which they claim was written by their own guy, so doesnt need to have its link questioned) I still consider it crap for what it doesnt say rather than what it does....but I guess it isnt a bad overview for those that dont keep up with the Rockets like we do. It isnt much worse than reading brian_chapman running around tryin to pass off his opinions and whatever random speculation he has read on other forums as true facts.
The Heat are willing to sell the 18th pick to save cap space, http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AlE7.D9hlwBP2xOgKUmmbkC8vLYF?slug=aw-draftbuzz062210 - any chance we could buy it and then trade 14 and 18 for something higher?
He's pretty much right on about everything, but nobody toward the middle of the draft order really drafts based on pure need, you figure out the guys you want and then you try to go out and see if you can get them, if not... You take the best available talent. No clearer evidence of this than Morey taking Aaron Brooks back in 07. Morey passes on a skilled big in Glen Davis and takes the lowly-tauted Aaron Brooks, adding a 4th PG to the mix. Then trades up for Carl Landry, who turns out to be a better player than Davis anyway. Then people scream bloody murder that we didn't land a "sleeper stud" like Nick Fazekas or Josh McRoberts, instead opting for Landry who showed very little in terms of workout production and for all intents and purposes looked like a complete scrub in preseason and in the summer league and training camps. So what did we learn kiddies? Assets over upside. Always assets over upside. Proven Talent > Potential. Thats the Daryl Morey system.
Potential? what potential? AKA fans' wild dream ? AKA throw your money on the gambling table and hope you win?
That, and that Daryl Morey is pretty much smarter than any of us. Anyone he picks is likely to be the best player available FO REALZ.
Our 2000 and 2001 picks are both dead. Man, you can't have much worse luck than that. Honestly, that list is a blueprint for how not to win a championship. It's painful to even read. .
I think DM doesn't draft the BPA, he drafts by value, and I think that's what makes his drafting so good. Rather than going by conventional wisdom and taking guys that were rumored to the be the BPA (aka Glen Davis, Nick Fazekas etc.), he goes ahead and takes a pg whose skillset (good speed, lights out shooting) is extremely valuable in the league. Same thing with the Batum draft. Considering they traded for Greene they must have thought that although Greene might be a better player, taking Batum allows them to get a free asset aside from just Batum (i.e. Dorsey).
I don't know. Brooks wasn't really any good from the get go, it took him a few years to develop in to a really good player. Carl Landry and Buddinger would probably fall into this category.
