[Spanish Radio] Sergio Llull close to deciding to join the Rockets?

It's a fair approach. The more experienced rookies get in the rotation sooner rather than later.

 

Llull > Grant

I don't think the Rockets will sign Llull just to trade him.

The Rockets may very well attempt to get Lowry or Lawson, but it would be to run a three guard rotation with Llull and Harden.

 

Thanks. I like the three guard rotation idea a lot. Hope Morey will be able to pull it off, without having to give up the young and upcoming Capela. It's a tall order no doubt. Let's hope for the best.

 

NOTE: A player cannot be signed-and-traded using the MLE.

So . . . Sergio Llull will not be signed-and-traded.

His *draft rights*, on the other hand, can be traded (with a $0 value for salary matching purposes).

 

Or Dec 15?

 

We picking trey lyles and selecting llull and either retaining beverley or picking up another vet pg. and the rockets will try to fetch lamarcus aldridge and he will spurn us for mavs or a darkhorse east team

 

Sorry, I forgot Llull would technically be a rookie too, so my comment was probably confusing...I meant I don't expect picking up a rookie in the draft will affect Llull coming over or staying here. Rockets wouldn't play drafted rookie anyway.

 

Sure, just my humble "player profile"...

He was drafted as a potential PG with NBA size, NBA athleticism, good transition game, interesting shooting and shooting range, winning competitive character.

His weaknesses but then: he used to play at a unique speed (very fast), commiting reading mistakes, charges, bad turnovers.... Until here one could say he was certainly very Jeremy Linesque on the strenghts and weaknesses (elite first step, good transition game as I've said, some explosive scoring moments.... a little bit a game changer).

That was like 5 years ago. In this time he's been on the perfect spot, place, team, to gain experience and keep evolving as a player, and specifically as a PG. By the way here is a very underrated factor at the development of the draft & stash prospects (and I think about Badiane for instance and how could have been his develpment if he had competed into better national leagues, with better rivalry, better coaching, more motivation).

Current Llull is more poised and has a better control of the game and of his own skills. Of course has more knowledge of the game (here one should give credit to his former coaches in Madrid, Scariolo, Ettore Messina and Pablo Laso, specially this last one, who finally trusted him since his arrival in 2011 as the starting PG of the team). In Madrid he's been competing for several titles every single season, against the best european teams, with pressure and title demands, being one of the main leaders of his team and been forced to keep progressing to achieve not only personal goals but team goals. At the same time he's been playing at summers for the Spanish national team with similar strict goals, all his career it's been pretty demanding collectively wise, and at the end of the day his teams have been able to achieve it's goals, while he has accomplished also his own personal goals. He has 2 gold medals, 1 silver medal and 1 bronze medal. He has won 1 ACB spanish league (played 3 finals), 3 Copas del Rey, 3 supercups, and finally 1 Euroleague after 2 Final-4 fails. He's being very important at winning every title with Madrid, more every year than the previous.

Sepaking about his skillset, he has good handles with both hands, not spectacular, but won't turn it over like Jeremy Lin. He can really speed up and push it on transition. In this regard his game should translate well to the NBA, cause there's more transition game and more spaces in the NBA than in Europe. His first step and acceleration can help him also at positional NBA offense, since defenses are more open in the NBA and there's more space to operate, so he can become a dangerous p&r player, having been already -his p&r game- of the main weapons of Madrid's offense. He's a tall PG and can see the court and do the correct passes. He has improved his mid range game and is less predictable nowadays. Can shoot it off the bounce. Of course with feet set, good 3pt shooter (say Pat Beverley...).

One of my main concerns with his translation to the NBA it relies on his finishing around the basket. He can jump and he goes strong and high to the rim, but he does not have a great wingspan nor big frame so I could see him recieving some "unexpected" blocks specially in his first season. Anyway, he won't get intimidated for it and will keep penetrating. But like to see his adaptation. He has an interesting floater and mid-near range shot.

I think he should be fine defensively, at least thinking in long term. First year is difficult for any rookie. I expected a little better defensive level by Papas even athis 1st year, but the season has shown his deficiencies at strenght, knowledge of NBA refereeing.... He's been still an above average defender and we'll see his evolution, but rookie year is a rookie year for anybody.

Overall I think Llull looks like a nice fit for this team and can understand the urgency in Morey and McHale to get him. A PG who can hold the ball, play some p&r and create some good shots, score at a decent % from 3 pt, push the tempo... Even his defensive style fits with the Rockets aggresive philosophy. ... He may have its limitations, but he's a really competitive guy and an absolute winner, and that's what you look for to surround Harden and Howard. If he's finally coming, Im sure this forum and the whole Toyota is going to like him.

 

Yes, I was aware of that, but momentarily forgot about it. Thanks.

 

Llull's on a Spanish radio
Llull's on a Spanish whoa radio

 

Don't get your hopes up. He could very well spurn us like he has twice before once Real flips some more dough at him. I'll believe he's coming after he signs a Rockets contract.

 

Is Llull a GREAT defender? We need all-NBA 1st team defense at PG. I want someone who can shut down Curry or at least limit him. That's the only thing that kept the Rockets from winning it all this season.

 

I'm not very excited about this dude

 

Why not?

 

No problem at all. I understood what you meant to say.

 

yeah pretty much summed it up. if this can happen or maybe get the dream lamarcus PF if not.

 

excellent post.

this site should have at the end of the year a perhaps top 10 posts of the year. maybe somewhere you could nominate individual posts like this.

 

Llull might be talented, but adapting to the NBA can take time even for good
plallers. Even Luis Scola was not quite as good in his first llear as he was later on. If the team fancies itself a contender, Darlll Morell can have Llull but should have other options on the roster in case Llull takes time to get used to the NBA.

 

Do u guys think more smarter than Morey?
If Morey has decided to sign Llull, Morey would have comsidered all posibilities included in all risk

 

Iggy says hi