Rafael Stone Press Conference after Reed Sheppard pick

I LOVE how Stone treats everyone outside of his decision making totem like mushrooms. Feed them sht and keep them in the dark!

 

Sheppard was always the obvious pick, and the Rockets actions suggested they felt that way too given that he was basically the only guy they bothered working out....but they put so much disinformation out there through their "insiders", and they've made bad decisions in the past, so that was enough to make it somewhat believable that they might do something stupid.

Since they handled things so well, I have a lot more faith in the FO moving forward, we'll see if it's justified. The next big test will be trying to dump Dillon Brooks and seeing if they try to move on from Jalen Green.

 

Before Jabari getting drafted by the Rockets, there were 50+ pages of drafting Banchero. Before this draft, there were 100+ pages of drafting R.Sheppard. And Jabari 100% thought he was going to the Magic, or the Thunder because he only worked out at 2 places. As for Sheppard, I don't get that feeling of love being Rockets than being loved getting drafted #3, being an NBA player. Sheppard his page does not have mention of belonging to Rockets except pictures of him with hat on I can't help when Stroud and W.Anderson start saying stuff about Houston right after getting drafted by Texans. I see him the next JJ Reddick, post NBA career.

 

That's the issue with BPA. Amen was probably BPA but he can't shoot.

Unlike Westbrook he doesn't try to. So that is a plus.

I think Sengun can develop an outside shot on par with D-Mo.... I'm more apt to use Reed at future PG and ditch Amen before Sengun. I just think Alpi is a better all round player with more upside.

 

Look, these fans, and its plenty of them on here who twist and turn every word someone says just to get the point across will never concede to anything. They have been wrong on so many occasions regarding picks, trades, plays, players in general...I dont want to bring in politics, but its the same, someone to stubborn to use comon sense and you cant just turn them around.

Reed was the obvious pick, any other outcome would have been illogical.

 

Amen Thompson
Reed Sheppard
Tari Eason
Jabari Smith
Alperen Sengun

6th Man
Cam Whitmore

I'm curious how that looks with a veteran bench after 1-2 years....

 

I'm not sure how that's an issue with BPA. No matter who you pick, you're going to have to teach them something. Players who are good at a lot of things except shooting tend to get picked high - the reason is because shooting is easier to improve than handling, motivation, work ethic, athleticism, defense.

I'm not ditching Amen until I'm sure he can't shoot 33% on 2 attempts. If he can get there before his 4th season, imo he's a superstar. Sengun is a star, I'm already sold and I think he will hit that 33% on 2 attempts mark this coming season - especially since Udoka is obsessed with double big lineups so I'm sure he'll try Sengun at the 4.

 

We'll see about Tari, I think I'd probably go more like

Sheppard
Cam
Amen
Smith
Sengun

Tari first guy off the bench.

I like Tari, he's one of my favorite Rockets, but he needs to work on his finishing and he's got injury concerns that might keep him from being a starter.

Either way, this is a VERY strong group of young players.

 

I wonder with the rule changes that turn a bench gunner like Steph Curry into a HOF that comparison of Reed to guys like Reddick aren't compatible to make.

Shooting has really become a major focus on skill set... the league favors shooters a lot now. Will be interesting to see if he has another level than just classic bench shooter.

 

And at this point, it’s looking like the Alpi stuff they keep pushing, Dave in particular, is just more tiddlywinks

 

I don't disagree, i think Amen does the other stuff so well you can deal with giving him time. I'm generally skeptical of any player advancing that far without shooting ability and developing one. The fear I have is another Ben Simmons situation.

True, most BPA have flaws, but his was also a flaw for this team. Reed does address a need in a dramatic way, so I'm curious how they will play together. Can the strengths of one cover for the weaknesses of the other.

We saw that with Beverley and Harden...

 

Reed was the right pick for the Rockets.

That's all that matters.

 

Happy with the smokescreens. I think Stone is still learning how cutthroat this league is and now much inside info is important.

 

News for you on this fine day...

Cam ain't starting over JG.

 

The reason was that draft big board guys made the wrong assumption.

I trust the actual reporting by Paolo Banchero that the Magic decided on him days before the draft over Jackson Gatlin

I also trust the fact that the #1 pick occurs before the #3 pick? That is what "cost the Rockets Banchero".

The Rockets did get burned in that draft, because apparently their own homework bought the nonsense that Jabari Smith Jr was part of a "big 3" of elite talents at the top of the draft the way the Big Board Bros had it - thus far he's a role player

 

Why is it annoying that he thinks Sheppard is BPA? Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Why cant he say he would take Sheppard over Sarr when his team didnt even draft Sarr?

I think you have something personal against Stone every time he says or does something you are trying to invent drama out of thin air.

 

Jeff van gundy called it out one year

“every team every year says, we had this guy graded way higher”

 

He doesn’t have to shoot 33%. Ben Simmons was just fine never shooting 3s. It would have been a nice addition, but it wasn’t there and he was still an effective player.

 

Why shouldnt he? Cant say good things about his own pick?

 

Sure, but this is the draft bust's last season with the team, I was talking about the future