I cannot understand why the Rockets would consider taking any of the available centers (Woods, Haywood, Johnson) over Richard Jefferson. He reminds me a lot of Desmond Mason, who many teams passed over until Seattle picked him up late first round. Don't you think the Rockets and Bucks, who went for size over talent by getting Pryzbilla and Collier, regret passing on an explosive wingman who is also a defensive stopper? While those two big men were watching from the sidelines, Mason's energy and talent helped him become Seattle's primary 2-guard. Besides, either Johnson or Haywood is guaranteed to be there at 18, but the chances are Jefferson will not. Remember the last time the Rockets passed on an athletic wing player hoping he would slip to their next pick? It was Rashard Lewis, and we all know what happened to the stiff they got instead. The last time the Rocks picked up a Wildcat at the end of the lottery it was Dickerson, and I think Jefferson is much better. I've also heard a lot of stuff about getting Morris later, but if he was as good as Jefferson, why wasn't he leading his very talented team to the championship game. Why is every seven-footer automatically preferred over players who, while smaller, have more talent and fill a need at SF which is just as pressing? ------------------
Because big men are MUCH harder to come by then swing players. ------------------ Don't think....just throw. Don't think....just throw.
So what you are saying is that we have three picks @ 13,18,23 and although we have severe need areas @ SF, PF and C ..... we should draft an off-guard with our earliest opportunity? ------------------
I think he is much better than D. Mason. ------------------ President of the Steve Francis, Jamal Crawford,Larry Hughes, and Charles Woodson fan club.
Big men with passion are hard to come by. Unfortunately, Woods and Haywood have Kelvin Cato disease. Haywood had a hard time getting acclimated against COLLEGE players and Woods was already a bust for one team trying to replace a legend. ------------------
Im curious to see what Richard Jeffersons height really measures at, they have him listed at 6'7. ------------------
I wouldnt be too surprised if Jefferson measures out at 6-6 and projects as 2 guard. In any case, I dont think they will end up drafting him. They are looking for a 6-8 or taller player that plays good defense, rebounds and most importantly can spot up and hit the 3 with consistency. I dont think they are looking for a superstar SF but instead one that can fit in with the team and do the intangibles along with being able to slow down the taller SFs in the league that give this team so many matchup problems. Question for Oeilpere: Would you suspect that the Rockets will take on their traditional draft strategy of looking for senior type talent that fits the system or do you think that maybe just maybe for once they'll branch out and take a HSer or underclassmen with one of their three picks? ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
Rj is a good player, and i'm sure he could turn into a Brian Russel type of guy, but I am almost positive that the Rockets are going to use their first pick on a Center...which means they're going to move up. I think people are overrating his D just because he stopped JRichardson DURING 1 GAME.I think the Rocks are gonna try to cut a deal with Chitown or Gstate to get a center. And at #23, I think they'll get Morris. A lineup of Francis-Mobley-TMorris-MoTaylor/Cwebb-Diop isn't bad at all. ------------------ President of the Pete Chilcutt Fan Club.
That is a tantelizing line up. Francis, Mobley, T. MOrrison, Webber/Taylor, and Diopp!! That team can compete today and in 8 years from now!!!! Pretty cool! ------------------
A couple of things concerning Richardson.... I don't like his shooting ability. Granted he was a post player in high school, but the form and rotation of his shot is not appealing to me. Just watching him shoot free throws showed me he didn't have a natural stroke. He is not a player that is going to create on his own. If you think Jefferson is going to be a major upgrade over Shandon you are sadly mistaken. His offensive game, if he has one, is not predicated off the dribble. Don't expect him to be able to create his own shot very easily when the shot clock is winding down. Even if he's 6'7, he's not the ideal 3 for this team. Also, I imagine he didn't, or won't, impress the team with his shooting ability. Question for oeilpere, Are the Rockets going to give Ousmanne Cisse a look? I'm just fascinated and enamored with the guy, and with the Horry rumors dead now(ending the idea that we'd draft Gerald Wallace and send him to LA with Walt or someone else), I would love if the Rocks picked him up with the 23rd pick. He'd be the first weakside shotblocker this organization has had since Horry. ------------------ [This message has been edited by tacoma park legend (edited June 06, 2001).]
tpl, glad to hear you are on the Cisse bandwagon as well. I am just hoping the Rockets atleast consider breaking their traditional draft strategy a little considering they have 3 picks. Its not like this team needs three players immediately contributing considering their cap room and all. They can easily take two ready to go seniors then use the third pick on a freak of nature talent like Cisse. What impresses me most about Cisse is that he has incredible work ethic and desire. Even though his offensive game is raw, you know he will develop it. Lets be honest, this team needs an enforcer on the frontline, the frontcourt is so dang soft. I was drooling over Donnell Harvey as many others were, and it appears that Cisse is an even better prospect than Harvey. Ousmane is considered a better defensive player than Harvey and is stronger and bulkier than Donnell. Here's the most intriguing/freakish part of the whole equation, Cisse may be a tad undersized at 6-8, but his wingspan is in the neighborhood of 91 inches. Cisse has the wingspan of a long 7 footer, its nuts. Sadly, I know Cisse wont even get worked out by the Rockets, and they will go with their traditional soft shooting big men. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
Cisse wingspan kind of reminds you of an Elton Brand, but sounds as if Cisse is maybe a better athlete. ------------------
Jefferson may be "athletic" (aren't they all?), but he can't shoot from the perimeter and therefore is not needed by the Rockets. Let's go for someone who can help the team rather than the highlight reel folks. ------------------
If you wanna see highlight reel dunks you should see Wallace and Richardson. ------------------ President of the Steve Francis, Jamal Crawford,Larry Hughes, and Charles Woodson fan club.
Doug Christie. ------------------ "I always thought it was something that went around my house" - World B. Free on Defence
I think Richard Jefferson could be picked up by Charlotte at 16,but if they pass up on him,he could still be on the board at 18.I think the Rockets are going to take Haywood with the 13th pick,if he isn't picked earlier, even though I don't like him and both Bradley and Murphy are possibly going to be gone before our next pick. I certainly wouldn't mind getting Jefferson at 18 and either Ken Johnson or Morris with the 23th pick.Unfortunately the Rockets don't look towards high school players unless they are potential superstars like Miles.Cisse is intriguing,but his stock might fall because he is coming off an ACL injury. ------------------
If Jefferson had 1/2 of the dribbling & passing skills of Doug Christie he might be worth 13. But he doesn't. ------------------
Are you saying that pessimistically or knowingly? I ask because after reading everything I've read about this guy, I'd love to have him on this team. He seems like he has Othella Harrington tenacity but with more defensive skills and more physical presence. ------------------ "Light travels faster than sound, so some people appear to be bright until you hear them speak." -- Brian Williams (now Bison Dele) commenting on Isiah Thomas.
Cisse is intriguing,but his stock might fall because he is coming off an ACL injury. Cisse had a sprained knee. That alone is not going to scare anybody off. ------------------
