Also note the timing. The Donte Greene trade happened after Greene tore it up in the summer league. I believe he had like 40 points in his first game or something like that. If Greene didn't have that kind of showing, there is a good chance the Artest trade does not happen.
Yeah, and NO ONE tears it up in summer league and then fails in the regular league? Look, I'm not saying something was already worked out between Sacramento and Houston. But Green is so one-note, how would he have helped the Rockets at that point? He was just another asset on Morey's list of assets. Bimathug tends to get a little worked up when someone disagrees with him. "Irked." "Tired of repeating myself." If you don't like to repeat yourself....don't.
For most of the time the Rockets did not really need wing talent... not ready to write him off on that point yet. Lets hope he can draft centers.
I think you're a little off on this, but it's hard to tell because of the small sample size. DM and his staff definitely do not get enough recognition when it comes to wing talent. Courtney and Chase (drafted 44th!!) can speak to that. People expect a lot out of Chase, but for someone who was drafted 44th he has, by and large, exceeded expectations and done really well. In addition to those two, we have squid (who can hopefully pull his head out of his ass) and Kevin. DM and his staff haven't done so well on centers (see Jordan and Hasheem), but we seem to have a good eye for 4s. In my opinion, our wing evaluation is pretty good and our 5 evaluation is below average. Even so, I'm excited to see what we do with the draft.
Greene was a long-term SF project and we had no backup for Shane at that point. It's highly unlikely that he was a planned part of the Artest trade as Artest was a potential free agent. The Kings were actually trying to keep him and traded him in August once it was clear that he regretted not opting out. He had a foot out the door and they got what they could. You have too much faith in Morey. Greene may be one-note, but not moreso than Joey Dorsey, who was also signed to a multi-year deal. Morey whiffed on two low picks that year. Not the worst thing.
I hardly ever repeat myself. When have I repeated myself. I never do that. :grin: Look, given that Daryl Morey has had exactly three (3) first round picks in his tenure as Rockets GM, one can hardly develop a PATTERN for his picks. Sure, he has more of an M-O for second rounders, but that's based more on wanted to get "value" that late in the draft. His three first round selections: 2007: Senior PG with no size (Aaron Brooks) 2008: Freshman SF with great size (Donte Greene) 2010: Junior PF with average size (Patrick Patterson) No pattern there.
Brooks is from Seattle (Washington), as TWill. Patterson is from Washington D.C. Donte was raised in Baltimore, Maryland (Baltimore Bullets--Washington Bullets). It's clear that the Rockets will select Klay Thompson with the 14th, from Washington State University, and Josh Selby at the 23, born in Baltimore.
Going by Morey's "is this a player that fits on a championship roster" methodology, Biyombo makes more sense than Fredette. Stars would love to play alongside a guy like Biyombo. I seriously doubt he will be around at #14.
the Rockets movements in that draft were strategic in keeping Batum away from San Antonio, getting Arthur to Memhpis and Greene to Houston for the Artest trade. This was not a failure on Morey's part in any conceivable way and if injuries didn't play their part could have been a move to push the Rockets over the edge with a line up inlcuding Yao, Artest, TMac, Battier, Scola, Brooks, Lowry etc Dorsey was a fair second round gamble given his defensive potential alongside a dominant Yao. All heresay but unfair to discount the strategy in play during the 2007 draft
the rockets draft guys from winning college programs that come from good coaching and can produce right away. they don't go for potential, they go for who's the best right now. and all of this is regardless of position. thats why we took brooks when we had 3 other PG's. it's why we took pat when we had 3 other PF's. the rockets have been excellent in the draft in recent years by going with the sure thing. biyombo is not the guy.
What is somehow he falls and is still on the board at the Rockets 2nd pick? (Someone always goes lower than expected, and you never know who and to where they fall.) You still don't think DM drafts Jimmer then?
Morey has also said (on the Jonah Kerry podcast I believe) it might be smarter to take the 1/10 chance superstar rather than the 9/10 sure thing rotation player. Especially when you have no stars on the roster. Solid rotation players can be found in free agency.
Seriously doubt that. He'll be picked around 17. If he goes in the lotto, its only because the Jazz picked him.
