http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/9532685 ....................... Houston The Rockets could've had Rudy Gay and opted for Shane Battier? How interesting. Here's the bottom line: Anyone who doesn't admire Battier's game doesn't know basketball, and he'll be a perfect complement to a hopefully healthy Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. But will Battier ever be great, like Gay might be? Absolutely not. Houston will get rid of Stromile Swift -- clearly not a Jeff Van Gundy guy -- but this move could come back to haunt the Rockets. In the second round, who knew Matt Bullard could come back to life disguised as Steve Novak? Grade: D .......................... Memphis The Grizzlies badly need a superstar. Pau Gasol is great, but he's not it. He needs a tag-team partner who can take over games. The organization is gambling Rudy Gay will shed his lack of aggressiveness and be that guy. It's a solid gamble. Late first-rounder Kyle Lowry is tough and should be able to challenge for minutes by the time his rookie season ends. Grade: A ...........................
I would say the 'D' is contingent on Gay becoming a great player. If he doesn't, and Battier improves the Rockets I would upgrade that 'D' to a 'B'. So I would take their analysis with a grain of salt.
I wonder: if the Rockets didn't take Gay (let's say they "settled" for Ronnie Brewer), how far would Gay have dropped?
i think the sonics would have pick him ... they kind of wasted their pick on a C who average 3pts per game in belgium, and they already have 2 young 7 footers on their team so
Even Gay turns into a bust, that will be 2-3 years later that everyone will give up hope on him. Right now it is no way you should trade a 8th pick + 10/5 player for another 10/5 player. But fools always do foolish things.
Not far. Because some team like the Grizzlies would have tried to trade up to get him. Team X that had the pick would have demanded the Grizz #24 1st round selection (maybe their 2nd rounder this year), and a couple of players (Warrik, Battier). West would have done the deal because he sees Gay as their savior. West would have had no problem coming out of this draft with his sidekick to Gasol. Mission accomplished. Instead West comes out of the draft with his sidekick and plenty of tradable ASSETS to further add to the team.
