The first round pick they gave to New Jersey is lottery protected for the first year, but they still have to carry the obligation over to the next year and the next. I think after the third year it becomes a 2nd round pick. At least that usually how lottery protection on 1st round picks work. -Thats why Bima has been preaching that this actually would be a good year to get the pick obligations out of the way given that the Rockets already have a pick in the Knicks 1st rounder that will most likely fall in the same draft range this year. This draft is projected to have good talent in the top 10, but this draft doesn't have the same quality in the 15 to 20 range that the 2011 draft had. Given that the Rockets have a ton of young players in that talent range who need playing time if they are ever going to take the next step, I think its a good year to make the playoffs and get the pick obligation out of the way, and develop your young talent. Truth is there are still some very, very bad teams out there that will be head and shoulders over Houston in the loss department to get the lottery balls to get the top 8 picks. Even if the Rockets sell off Scola, and Martin for peanuts, they still have enough talent to potentially come out around .500 or better for the season. This is a good season to develop the value in guys like Lowry, Patterson, Lee, and now.... hahaha Parsons (too early I know) with a playoff run. A playoff run would be increase the value of these players significantly, much to the opposite if they lose a ton of games and end up with the 8th pick in the draft. I would rather have the Knicks 17th pick in the draft + high value for current roster than the 9th pick in the draft + major losses in value of current roster. -As for Terrence and his value. I personally believe that even if he does not develop into the superstar that half of Clutchfans think he is supposed to be, he will have value for the next few years as a PG/SG mismatch off the bench. Im not sure if that value is worth offering him his rookie extension or not, but I guess we will find that out sooner than later at the end of this month when its time for Morey to offer him an extension or not. The only thing that can truely destroy the value of Terrence Williams is Terrence's attitude. If he can buy into that kind of role in the next few years, he should have a nice long career in the NBA. If he continues to think he should be a superstar, GM's will stay far away from him.
T-Will has a better overall game than Bud, though that isn't saying much. But in terms of defense, aggressiveness and court vision T-Will has the advantage over Bud. The problem with Bud is if his shots aren't falling, he's practically useless on the floor. His defense is at best decent enough such that the player he is guarding won't light him up, but on offense he would serve no purpose. From what I noticed lately, Bud regressed a lot when it comes to driving to the basket. In his rookie season he was much more aggressive and much more successful when he drove to the basket. The last season and the current season however, he just looks so soft and weak. I seriously don't know what's wrong with Bud that caused such a regression from his rookie year, at least offensively that is.
When T-Will is on the floor he never seems to fit in to whatever the Rockets are doing. When he is out there I always think of that Sesame Street song "Which one of these is not like the others".... it's T-Will.
Three when you count Goron Dragic at SG.:grin: Seriously, Williams is a natural SG -- not a SF and not a PG. He has talent for offensive penetration and defense, but his outside shot is questionable at best. Here in Houston he has been unlucky because Martin and Lee are more skilled at SG, and Parsons and Budinger are taller and better shooters at SF. Even if Williams tried to be a PG, he would have to beat out Lowry and Dragic. Williams' task of finding a rotational spot, much less a starting position, is daunting considering his apparent mindset. I'm hoping he gets his chance, but, even with a trade of Martin or Lee, he is looking at severe competition from Bud (SG and SF) and Morris (SF).
TWill, if you are reading, I concede that you are a better basketball player than me. The criticism comes in the context of me comparing you to other players on our team......
I like Parsons, and I think he can be a solid contributor, but as usual I think this board is overreacting after one game. He had a career game of sorts, and played pretty much as well as he could. When shot stops falling (inevitable considering his history), and he fails to be a difference maker at either end, he'll fall out of favor just like Bud and T-Will. The only way we can utilize Williams' talents is to stop keeping him on a short leash. None of us know the true nature of his relationship with McHale and the staff, so it would be foolish to just assume he's a cancer. When Williams is getting spare minutes (less than 15) he plays not to make a mistake. He's a rhythm player, not a spark player. When he has the staff behind him, that's when he attacks and shows off the creating ability that could make him special (shown briefly against OKC). I don't necessarily like the body language he shows either, but look at the facts: 1) He's very talented (moreso than most of our roster), but also very sensitive. 2) We gave up a 1st for him, so to not give him consistent PT on a young team would be a waste, not only of his talent, but of that pick. 3) His attitude problems aren't just going to disappear on the bench. The chances of them disappearing are far higher if he plays and the coaching staff shows confidence in him.
1) We don't mind Parsons gets 0 point a game as long as he keeps his effort up in defense. 2) I like TWill, and I believe he could be a good player. Yet, he needs to find his way to suit the team first... 3) I dont think McHale nor Alderman has a twitter account...
i feel like the coaches have given Twill plenty of chances. he was given a lot of playing time in the first 2 games, but all i remember is him blowing off goran to try and create a play for himself. i'd rather not give Twill 20 minutes a night just so we can hope he plays well. i'd rather give those minutes to Parsons, Lee, and Cbud.
At this point it's beyond reasons we can see. He obviously has attitude problems because this is now three coaches that have kept him on the end of the bench... And we all know it's not from a lack of talent! Im to the point to where I hope we just trade him AND Bud and lets get Morris in there!
The board may be, but coaches don't let one good game go to their heads. Parsons got the starting nod over Budinger and Williams. That's something you earn in practice. McHale is not going to change his starters again just because Parsons has a bad shooting night. He might lose some minutes, but he'll be a starter as long as he plays honest defense, can stick to the game plan and avoids unforced errors.
Its sooo early still...... McHale is trying different combos. Thats it. No doghouse. Nobody among Twill, Bud & Parsons is proven, yet. Yes, Parsons has emerged as the fav of this bunch. But all it would take is 3 or 4 bad games, and all is equal once again. I realize folks like to talk, draw conclusions and speculate. But we got a new coach who has all of 10 games under his belt. Come on guys, nothing, I mean nothing is written in stone yet when it comes to the 3 spot, starter or backup.
I agree with this message. Just F'in let him play 15 straight games at 35 minutes a night. Let him get a chance to get some confidence going. I swear there in some T-Mac in him.
The problem with his offensive penetration is he doens't do anything after getting past the initial defender. Usually, he is not really skilled enough to get just get dunks and layups past the help D or even to draw fouls. He usually puts up floaters that miss. As I said elsewhere, there is a reason why he never averaged more than 12.5 ppg in college.
