This is the latest from ESPN on the draft: 3. Houston's dilemma: The Rockets have made it clear that they will re-sign free-agent guard Cuttino Mobley. "We want to get that done," Houston's chief scout Dennis Lindsey said. OK, so let's assume Mobley is signed. Do the Rockets still pick Cincinnati guard/forward DerMarr Johnson at No. 9 if he's available. As of late Wednesday, the Rockets couldn't agree on a pick. Apparently, they are no closer than they were a month ago. But most of the apprehension is because they're not sure Johnson will be on the board. For Johnson to make it to No. 9, Atlanta and Chicago have to pass him at No. 6 and No. 7. The entire lottery could be determined by what Orlando and Atlanta do with their picks. If the Magic go with Darius Miles and Atlanta picks Mike Miller, then the rest of the lottery should fall in place for Johnson to slide to No. 9. But if the Magic take a big man like Joel Przybilla and Atlanta snags Miles then that would leave Miller, Courtney Alexander and Johnson on the board for Chicago, Cleveland and Houston. The Cavaliers want a big man but they might find it hard to pass on one of those three. Johnson hasn't worked out for the Cavaliers, which makes it hard for them to take him at No. 8. Houston could easily find room for Johnson next to Steve Francis and Mobley. The Rockets don't want to mess with that tandem after the pair grew fond of each other during the past season. Their chemistry and the development of Kenny Thomas inside has the Rockets believing their rebuilding process will go faster than most teams. The Rockets are intrigued by Przybilla if he gets past Cleveland. A choice between Johnson and Przybilla would cause fits for the Rockets. They'll need a center sooner, rather than later in Houston. http://espn.go.com/nba/draft00/s/dailydose/0622.html ------------------
JeffB...I caught that article earlier, and it presents some good reading. But what happens to Anderson if we take Johnson? (Assuming he falls to #9) ------------------ In the end there will be no judges...only witnesses to my greatness.
What happens if for some reason Pryzbilla is available at #9, who do we choose a 7ft centre or Moiso or Demarr, tough choice, damn. ------------------ Mango is the Smeg of Bizarro World
It would be a tough choice because Przybilla isn't very athletic and wouldn't fit the Rockets system like Johnson or Moiso would. But I think we might take Przybilla if he were available at #9 because: 1) Neither Kenny Thomas nor Shandon Anderson were injury prone whereas Olajuwon & Cato were very injury prone; 2) Przybilla (as a 7 foot center) should command more in any near term trade (just look at how many teams need a center this year in the mock drafts). ------------------
I really firmly believe that when Rockets get to pick they will take Johnson, Moiso, Miller or Alexander over any Center left in the draft at @ 9. I still say that Cato is their man getting the big bucks & they will roll with him one more year. With all the Big Man needs of the teams picking 1 through 7 if any Big Man is still hanging on at 9 then he must have not been that good. ------------------
If Pryzbilla were available, I'd take a hard look, because that would likely mean someone who wasn't supposed to go in the top 8 did, pushing him down. I'd take DJ or Miles over him easily. Miller and Moiso would be a tougher decision. ------------------ The more lefties on your team, the better.
