Agree with Clutch on John Henson, his combine numbers will probably help him if anything. People forget that with such length, you don't have to necessarily have an incredible vertical jump. Look at Kevin Durant for example, given that he is a small forward, he still has just an average 33.5 vertical max. I think a lot of people here are obsessed with the freakish numbers, I know I am a victim of it.
Great post. This has been my problem with the tack the FO has been on in the past several years. There is no core development and it seems like trading assets, like commodities, hoping to win the jackpot is the direction. I have been advocating for the development of a core group who could develop together and build from there. If a big trade develops then fine, but if not, at least show some semblance of stability and who know, some significant player may want to play here due to the stable conditions. As it is, players, and even agents, in the league may already have the perception that going to the Rockets is a way station and does not offer any stability, so they move along and by pass the team for better conditions, perceived or not, with other teams.
It's not really his combine numbers, I think he'll test well. It just seems like he doesn't have the ability to get up too high without a running start or time to gather himself and elevate quickly, which I think matters a lot. See e.g. Dennis Rodman, who wasn't a high flyer but was a "quick" leaper. It may of course not matter since his long arms don't really require it? Who knows... Also - could just be an issue with video playback speed too...
FYI the Suns GM said yesterday that they would like to address their perimeter situation (PG, SG or SF) in the draft. So that's one team that seemingly for sure would pass on a big man like Henson or Zeller, if they're still on the board at #13 (though Henson kinda seems like a lock at #9). I do not like Drummond or PJIII myself and while I like Henson, I'm not sure he's the guy to trade up for, considering you already have Scola, Patterson and Motiejunas on your team.
It was also reported they will accommodate Nash with an SnT. So, how might that addresss any of their needs?
When Kevin Garnett came into the league he was listed as 6'11" 220 lbs. John Henson is listed as 6'11" 220 lbs. Granted Henson is 2 years older than when Garnett entered the league but there is no reason to think that a 21 year old kid can not put on another 20 lbs on. The Rockets will have him in a strength and conditioning program that is taylor made for him. Henson brings a lot of skill on the defensive end, a high motor and someone who shows a lot of potential on the offensive end. He has great timing on his blocks and while he may not always get super high off of the floor he always seems to have plenty of height on his jumps and he seems to be a quick jumper. He looks like he has a great deal of athletisism even if he does not look like he is always jumping out of the building.
I'm not trying to say Henson is going to be as good as KG. That is a little unrealistic I think we will all agree but I don't think he is going to have problems blocking shots in the NBA, I think that will be one of his strengths. Plus I think he is a quick leaper. I don't see the fact that he does not have a 36 inch vertical taking away from his effectiveness.
VJ can be developed. For any athlete to jump higher you just have to figure out what they need: strength, explosiveness, movement efficiency ect ... Once you figure out where they are lacking you address it properly and improvement comes. Looking at Henson, my initial guess is that testing would reveal him to be relatively weak. Get him stronger and he'll jump higher
This kind of ignores the fact that when he first came into college Henson only weighed ~180 pounds, so he's already put in some admirable work just to get to 220. Guys like Davis and KG and Aldridge and Bosh could make that argument, but in this case it seems clear that we can't project the same amount of weight gain for Henson as a 19 year old freshman.
I agree. Royce White is the guy with our second pick. Maybe even our first pick. A point forward deluxe at the minimum. A unique talent.
If we don't move up in the draft, make a significant trade or find a way to get Hibbert here. I'm out on Morey. This is the first time I've ever said that.
what if we dont move up in the draft and do not get hibbert but somehow manage to land kevin love or rubio instead?
Who would you hire that would do a better job given the circumstances? Not current employed GM's. Im asking in seriousness. Is it really Morey that is the problem here, or maybe the outcomes are more environmental?
Did you miss the part where I said "significant trade" I have no clue really. Sad thing is, I think all of this is more Alexander's fault than anything. Not because of an "unwillingness to spend" and all that other crap people go on about, but absolute refusal to take a step back in wins (I'm not even talking about an outright tank, but at least a scenario in which we get to watch the mass of young guys we have play and possibly develop). I'm sure plenty of Morey's issues are environmental, but when it comes to 3 full years of the inability to pull off the move everyone has been waiting for... well, it's simple really. You built and organized the team to feature a lot of assets/pieces to complement a star, and quite brilliantly at times. But none of that matters if at the end of the day you can't get it done. I'm sure a ton of bad timing and tough breaks have been involved, but eventually, even the most valid reasons turn into excuses.
On the off chance that this was a sincere question....if it is Kevin Love, I rejoice. If it is Rubio, I gotta take into account who is going out and how I'm still going to fix the lack of production from PF/C (which Rubio could potentially alleviate for all I know). Donatas could be really fun to watch with Rubio.
Considering that it would essentially take a max contract offer to get Hibbert, I hope you're still a Morey fan in two years when Hibbert has the worst contract in the league and the Rockets are hamstrung by his albatross deal. Just say no to good (but not great) post players who command (near) max dollars. THAT is how you assure more mediocrity for the next decade.
I wonder about that. Hibbert being a 7'2'' center who can actually play on both ends of the floor means he just might be worth the max (which isn't that much for 4-year players-- $55 million or so, I think).
Hibbert's atrocious against the P&R. Had Miami actually realized this, that series would have been over very quickly. And he's not exactly Mutombo out there defensively. Marc Gasol is a superior overall player.
