I don't think the Rockets need a lot more youth on this team. Right now they've got to develop the Talent they have. I'm still holding out that Royce White comes to term with the Rockets demands and his own health needs - there has to be some compromise from his side too. D-Montiejunas is still growing as a player. So is Jones..... So, I think those two guys can fortify the talent level for next year. But from what i see, I like what the Rockets have on the floor... Talent, Veteran leadership, players that are hungry, raw talent at the end of the bench, guys with something to prove..... I don't think there is a guy on the team I want off the team.... (side note: Royce White and his problems are Something the front office and the league should deal with, but if they come to terms, I would not boo Royce White) Lin / Duglas Harden / Delfino Parson Morris / Patterson Asik / Smith
The thing with Smart is that you draft someone taller and more athletic than him, hoping that one day that more athletic person can become as savvy as Smart is on the court. Smart has the high IQ and the court savvy and understanding of basketball already, which is what separates him from the rest of the pack in college. Unfortunately, it's easier to take a guy that is athletic and teach him the game than it is to take a guy that is just an intuitive basketball player and make him a better athlete and taller. Reminds me of Dajuan Wagner.
I agree with your top 5 and wild card, not sure about Jeff Withey. Besides wanting the Rockets to somehow get Smart, I'd really like Glen Robinson III :grin:
Alternatively, we can trade one of our PFs for a pick and/or a player with a non-guaranteed contract to free up cap space.
Guys in the second round I would like: Myck Kabongo (Could be a very poor man's Eric Bledsoe) Patric Young (If you've seen him play, you'd know.) Kelly Olynyk (A 7' with decent touch. If for cheap, then why the hell not?) Leo Westermann (6'7" PG! Stash him overseas if possible and count yourself lucky if he pans out.) Ray McCallum (Has D-League written all over him. And with a season or two down there, if he has the right attitude [a la Greg Smith] he could be in the big leagues in no time.) and Oleksandr Lypovyy (because he has 3 Ys in his last name.) Although, obviously, the Rockets don't really need anymore young players.
I rather be a 4th seed in the West and make the playoffs and have 0 picks in the awful 2013 NBA draft then have several picks before Rockets landed Harden... Smart move for Daryl Morey... Now the Rockets need one more Star piece to be legit NbA championship contenders... At the same time the Rockets would get back their 1st Rd pick and 2nd Rd pick back in the loaded 2014 NBA draft MAYBE the most deepest and greatest draft ever...
An untalented but athletic James Harden... An athletic Ray Allen with a poorer shot.... A more athletic Luis Scola... Da ***** is with your NBA comparisons? Your taking away what made those players great
Kind of a fun game. Shaq without the size. Wade without the speed. Kevin Durant without the height. Or a twist. Stockton without the athleticism. A small Muggsy Bogues. Rasheed Wallace with an attitude problem. Rodman, but a headcase. But, I don't mind his use of comps. Using a player as a base to compare gives people a starting point if they are not familiar with the prospect.
With that pick I'd much rather see us take James McAdoo, Marcus Smart, or Lebryan Nash with that pick. All would fit our up tempo system and all have good upside
A male Kim Kardashian A disabled Jackie Chen A Stephen Hawking with ADHD A Mickey Mouse who is a snake A Daryl Morey without math
So far it looks like a pretty strong draft class. The current top5 look good and are on par with, if not better than last year IMO.
The more I read and the more I watch, I've come to the conclusion that this is a weak-ass draft. People say that every year but seriously no "franchise-changer" is out there right now. 2011 - Kyrie 2012 - we had Davis designated as a game-changer. Even w/o him, we still have Lillard who emerged. 2013? - Noel? Shabazz? They might be alright, even possible stars in the future but not someone who can turn a franchise around (think Drummond this season or Beal).
