If the Rockets get shut out on its bid to get a really good wing player, perhaps we fans should start giving Cedric Simmons, 6-10 sophomore from N.C. State, a strong look. Granted, I hope we can win the lotto at #1, #2 or #3, trade with Boston (who would pick Adam Morrison) for their pick and Gerald Green, but that's my personal daydream. Simmons would give the Rocks a swinging Richard PF and backup center so we could trade Swift or Head for a veteran swing player -- somebody like Stephen Jackson or Ricky Davis. Simmons might be a reach at #8 / #9, but perhaps the Hornets would give up their #12 and #15 for our #8. Of course, this would mean taking a chance on not getting Simmons. However, IMO Simmons will be a far better player in the long run than PFs like Shelden Williams.
i see simmons as hit or miss. shelden williams is a much safer pick because i see him being a very solid PF for a long time. no williams won't be an all-star but he'll give you 12 & 10, block shots, play d, and provide a tough inside presence. simmons is a really good athlete but isn't very polished on either end of the floor. i think he's a big risk in the lottery. he's more like a middle first rounder than lottery.
Actually, I agree. However, if we were to draft Shelden Williams, JVG would be forced to move Yao Ming out to the high post on offense because Williams operates best under the basket rather than away from it. Simmons, like Stromile Swift, has the athleticism to move around, recover quickly or take advantage of slower PFs. Unlike Swift, Simmons (and Williams)seems to have a better understanding of the game. Cedric is also taller, stronger and just as "athletic." That why, with Simmons, we could trade Swift for a suitable swingman. However, getting back to the Simmons - Williams comparison, Yao IMO would be JVG's low post presence while Simmons could go guard the Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncans of the world. Williams dares not leave the paint because he would get outmanuevered by quick PFs. However, Yao has the shooting and passing skills to play the high post, so maybe Williams would be a good offensive and defensive fit. Also, I have not even considered the Tiago Splitter or Andrea Bargnani scenarios -- although I think they will be gone before we draft.
GREAT - more Houston draft picks from N.C. State.... j/k. say thumbs - i really think there's a chance we will break into the top 3, in which case i like the dream scenario with Boston that you mentioned. i really recommend that the posters check out some of Gerald Green's videos on YouTube. he hasn't gotten much playing time, for a number of reasons with which i'm not familiar, so there are only a limited number of highlight plays. his h.s. stuff is a little more diverse, with blocks and off-the-dribble 3 pters in addition to the usual dunks. could you really see Boston REALLY trading Gerald Green & [potentially] Andrea Bargnani for Adam Morrison? i hope they will.
Yes. Remember, Boston has quite a few young players, and Morrison and Gerald Green play the same position. Also, if the Rocks move up to #1, #2 or #3, Boston is pushed down one or more slots to at best #8 since we slide past them in the draft order. Hence, Boston would have no shot at Bargnani or Splitter unless everybody else passed on them. If this happened, there would be some serious doubts about their respective games. The Rocks also would be sending them one or more of our trade exceptions (exception for Green, our draft pick for theirs).
i like your plan, my friend. but isn't gerald green kinda small to play the 3? i had visions of him playing the 2. he has ups like it ain't no thang, but i think he'd get abused inside by bigger, stronger guards - 2s and 1s - posting him up.
If we somehow make the mistake of drafting Sheldon Williams, Yao won't be changing at all. Williams will adjust to Yao's game, not the other way around. Yao will remain our primary low post presence no matter who plays PF, which is why Williams is NOT an offensive fit for us. He doesn't fit defensively either because he's slow-footed just like Yao.
Gerald Green Birthdate: NBA Position: SG/SF College: Oklahoma St. Class: HS Senior Ht: 6-8 Wt: 200 Hometown: Houston, TX High School: Gulf Shores Academy 2004 Stats NBA Comparison: Tracy McGrady Everything this kid does is silky smooth, even hard drives to the lane capped with the empahatic dunk seem easy... Has supreme athleticism, and gets many points off ally oop dunks as well as on drives to the hole... Has a very quick, effortless release on his jump shot. Combine that with great elevation and you have an almost unblockable shot... Most of the shots go in, in fact his jump shot from midrange to outside is one of his defining qualities... Loves to spot up for the open three, or stop and pop for the 15 footer... Overall just a sick scorer from outside ... Even At 6'8 he handles the ball like a guard, often starting (and finishing) the fast break... Loves to run the floor for the ally oop dunk, but also knows when to pass the ball... Most of those passes get right where they need to be ... However, those fast breaks don't just start themselves, Gerald is often the one creating the turnovers... His long arms and tremendous athleticism lead to lots of blocked shots and steals. Often creating the turnover, starting the break, and finishing with a monster dunk... Also rebounds exceptionally well for a guard/forward his size... The total package, an all around player who will do whatever it takes to win. There aren't many with his gifts at his size... With time and effort this kid will be something special. Weaknesses: Effort seems suspect at times, can often be seen walking or resting on the court... Kind of has that I'll do what I want domineer when on the court, and sometimes appears to put style over substance... Also, he'll be spectacular one game, but then he'll forget to dominate...where is he? Needs to put up the monster performances that brought him where he is on a more consistent basis... Needs to bulk up, right now gets pushed around easily. Will have to improve his leg and upperbody strength to finish his drives... He has broad shoulders and a great frame, just needs to put in the work... Still dominating high schoolers, needs to bring his game to a point where he can do it at the next level as well. Notes: College could launch his game to a whole n'other level. Early this year, he Began making some noise in Texas, but was relatively unknown until his breakout performance at the 2004 Reebok's ABCD camp, where he averaged about 20 ppg, was named to the all-star team, and won the MVP of the all star game
Agree. That's why I am not high on drafting Williams, and I don't think any of the potential SGs -- except perhaps Roy -- will fit our needs. Had Gerald Green come out this year, IMO he would have been the top-ranked SG. I like Cedric Simmons because he is very similar to Swift except that he has a motor. Perhaps Swift has one too, but there must be no gas in his tank.
