Dave Hardisty on SR610

Thanks for sharing! Sidenote, I saw John Henson down here with John Lucas a few weeks ago.

 

thanks op

 

thanks. I gotta agree with him.

1) I really hope we don't trade for Pau. That would be a big mistake
2) I think we need to take a risk on a high potential guy and not go for the safe picks

A little surprised that he said SF is our smallest need. Unless he is assuming Parsons develops into an all star, I still think it's one of our bigger needs behind center.. and maybe shooting guard depending what happens with Martin

 

(On Lowry for the 8th pick and if it's enough): It's a possible fallback plan. They're probably aiming higher. If they're gonna look for a move up or whether aiming high for a Howard, that remains to be seen but that's what I think they'll shoot for first. A handful of teams there, 5 SAC, 6 POR, 8 TOR and 10 NO are possible teams that would have interest in Lowry in some type of trade.

(What the Rockets would do with a top 10 pick): I'm personally in the neighborhood of wanting this team to get young and build. They have some young players now but no foundation pieces. If they can trade up for a top pick, which would be tough to do, 5 is probably as high as they can go but if they can get a guy that they feel is a potential blue chipper who has maybe some knock like Drummond or Perry Jones but someone with some real upside. They are a team that needs to roll the dice. As far as Lowry, there would be several teams....but I think the NBA is pretty rich in PGs. Some teams who need a PG but a lot good ones out there. It's a matter of how Kyle compares to the two you see who are projected to go in the lottery--Lilliard and Kendall Marshall.

(On thoughts of Lowry for Gasol): I personally hope the Rockets do not look in that direction. Their interest in Pau was a package deal. They had Nene in their back pocket. They went out there recruiting and telling players they were going to have Pau Gasol here, that's how certain they were that he was coming. They don't have that this time around but I know it's a player Daryl is very interested in and really likes. They're a team trying to win now consistently, not willing to take a step back. I hope they don't look in that direction because he got 2 years left at close to 20 million a season. You're getting the back end of that contract. That's probably something that will be talked about again.

(What other guys the Rockets could acquire and if Dwight is a remote possibility): I think it is a remote possibility. I know that's the direction they'll go first. There are certainly unknowns. Magic don't have a GM yet and then have to hire a coach next. Right now, the Rockets hope they have a decision by draft time--that they know, have a clear direction they're going to go in. Rockets have a few deadlines of their own. Dalembert, you have to decide to extend him by July 8. The best chance to trade him is on draft night. They hope if Dwight Howard comes onto the block, that it will be by draft night. Also great news that Brooklyn did not get that top three pick. They don't have the pieces to get him. Dwight would love to go there but don't think they have the pieces to trade with Orlando.

(On Deron Williams): I haven't heard anything new. For NJ to make a silly trade, they would have been in a good position with 6th pick. To trade the 6th pick for GW, it looks terrible. Dallas will make a push. I wouldn't be surprised if the Rockets make an inquiry. They almost acquired him about a year and a half ago at the deadline. They've had interest in him. Their whole point of getting Dwight would be to try and lock those two in here. As to where he ends up, good question.

(14th pick-names or guys he might want to see or might be available): I would start with potential trade-ups. I mentioned Drummond and Perry Jones. A handful of guys that would be interesting for the Rockets in moving up--John Henson, a guy with a lot of talent, maybe doesn't get the numbers...they need someone who can bring an elite skill. Skinny frame with long arms, tall guy, young. He has a lot of potential. That is a guy I would love to see them move up to get. His ceiling is maybe 9 or 10 or I don't think you'll see him slide past there. At 14 or 16, a handful of guys I like as well: Dion Waiters, Terrence Ross, hoping you'll see some big men slide down. Tyler Zeller I think I'd be interested in but those are more safe picks. I'd like to see the Rockets move up a few picks and roll the dice with a bigger talent.

(On Morey's criticism for passing on guys like Gasol/Jordan, if it makes it more likely he goes after a project like Myers Leonard): As far as a big man, yeah. This is the draft he has to do that. I've freely admit I felt that way in the past. You look at size in the league, Kwame Brown got 7 million, Landry got 9 million-1 year last year I think. They are expensive players to acquire in FA, whereas you come in the draft and you are able to get a 7 footer on a couple million a season, this is the time to get those players and this is a team that has needed size for a long time. I think right now, I'd put C as most important need, and they could draft any one of the 5 positions because no one is safe but I would go C, SG, PF, PG and least likely SF. I do think they'll try to roll the dice, whether it's Zeller or moving up in the draft and getting a guy who can bring some real size.

(Thoughts on Hibbert/Gordon and Rockets interest): I think Gordon will be a safe bet to return to NO after landing Davis. They could try to make it difficult for some of these teams. The Rockets do have the potential, and I say potential to have the cap room because they have guys like Dragic and Lee, they have cap holds that are holding some of that cap space, they'd have to renounce some of these players to really have the full amount. Hibbert, I've spoken to him when he was here, he does have a small grudge against the Rockets from the past, in the draft, the Rockets, according to him, told him they would send him to the D-League. It's business. If the Rockets show interest, I think he would have to entertain that but I don't think they will do that. I think they will leverage their cap room and make some trades. A lot of teams with a year from now where the LT becomes much more punitive, I think they'll try to take advantage of some teams and make some trades, maybe absorb some contracts and pick up some draft picks or real players that can help them.

 

Don't think we'll go after Pau unless we can get him on a bargain simply because we can't sign Nene to pair with him like intended.

Also, I hope we go for a high upside high- but I really don't want PJIII. Too much of a tweener without any gurantees. At least with Drummond you know you're getting a center- which is more than the Rockets have.

 

How refreshing that a "blogger like Clutch" gets to share his opinion!

 

Great analysis, Clutch! My thoughts exactly.

 

Good stuff. I guess I need to read up on Henson.

 

Henson too skinny. Do not want. Want Royce White. Want Sullinger.

 

I also don't hope we go the Pau direction. But my impression is if they do decide trading for him, his value may be at an all time low due to his poor playoff performance, declining age, and expensive contract. I would hate it if we overpay (likeinclude Lowry) for him.

 

Waiters looks terrible in all his workouts. Fat and slow as hell. Pass.

 

Come on..where is all the inside info !!

 

For the most part, I agree with Clutch.

I'm more intrigued with White the more I discover about him. I would like to see a draft day trade that allows us to move into the top 10 but provides us with a pick around 17-20 that allows us to gamble on White but still acquire our targets.

 

Funny you say that. I was thinking about the situation and I've now completely changed my mind.

Eveyone agrees that we need a superstar to be a title contender. Well, who are the true superstars? They are guys that have elite skills plus they make their teammates better in some way. Lebron, Kobe, Wade, CP3, Howard all make their teammates better whether it's by passing, covering for them on defense or in other ways.

Guys like Carmelo and Amare have elite skills but they don't make their teammates better, that's what separates them from the true superstars.

So who in this draft has elite skills and will make teammates better. There's no sure fire superstar in this draft. Even Davis has lots of questions and areas for improvement. Even if we have the #5 pick who's the guy that is going to become a superstar? Are you going to roll the dice on PJIII or Drummond? Maybe they turn out to be really good but neither has really been a take charge kind of guy ( admittedly both have only had brief collegiate careers).

So, if you really need to come up with a potential superstar, then who's the most likely guy? To me it's an easy choice and he's likely available for both of our picks. The guy is Royce White. He has elite talent and is a matchup nightmare for oppossing teams. He certainly has a ton of baggage but that's why he's available in the middle of the first round.

Right now I don't think that adding another nice player to the mix really helps, we need to go for the big payoff and that's Royce White. Can his anxiety issues cause him to flame out? Most certainly, but he has a true chance to be great if he can overcome those issues.

It would certainly be a risky pick but bottom line is White has a chance to be great and you can't say that for almost everyone else in the draft. Based on where we are this isn't the time to play it safe for a guy with a much lower ceiling.

I think Sullinger is going to have real difficulty getting his shot off in the NBA. I'm hoping that he's gone by the time we pick.

 

DeAndre Jordan may be on the market. If so would DM the GM take a shot and, if so, how would that affect other moves.

If Gasol the Elder (ouch) then is he brought in as a 4 or a 5?

 

No want Jordan. Want Asik.

 

Y U NO SPEAK FULL SENTENCES?!

 

So you want your front court full of Euros? Dmo, Asik
Granted Scola is half a Euro