Possible Rockets Picks

Here are some names that look likely to be in the draft this year. I think they are possibilities for Rocks picks. I cut and pasted from different lists, so there is really no order.

Out of the names on this list, who do you think are the top ten?


Shane Battier, Duke (19.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg)
Senior, 6-8, 220 lbs
Battier is meat and potatoes. Albeit filet mignon and Idaho spuds. He is Duke's leader and perhaps the most fundamentally sound player in college hoops. He does everything well, he's great ballhandler, is shooting the three at a 45% clip. An absolute lock as an early first round pick in the NBA draft this summer.
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Brendan Haywood, 7-0, UNC
Haywood has never been the dominating presence he was made out to be when he ended his storied high school career and headed to the Tar Heels. The key here is upside. He is extremely athletic for his size, a dominating presence and soft hands. Is quick and athletic but can pound inside as well. Consistency remains the big question but someone will take a chance on him early in the draft. Could go anywhere from high lottery to mid first round depending on his workouts and what kind of shape he shows up in.

Loren Woods, 7-1, Arizona
Has the size and shot blocking ability but his attitude and inconsistency have damaged his stock. His very skinny frame doesn't help things either. No scout we talked to was high on Woods, but given that Eric Montross, Adonal Foyle, Alex Radojevic were all taken in the lottery, Woods might very well find himself in bad company.

Ken Johnson, 6-11, Ohio State
Solid, if unspectacular shot blocker. Not a big time scorer and only a decent rebounder for his size. Should land with someone in the first round based on his defensive skills alone.

Jason Collins, Stanford (14.2 ppg, 7.9 apg)
Sophomore, 6-11, 255
Injuries have plagued Jason throughout his entire career at Stanford. He has great strength and size in the low post, even if he doesn't have the athleticism of players like Haywood or Woods. He has really come on as of late for Stanford and if he could overcome the myriad of injury concerns teams will have, has a legit shot at being a first rounder. May be the best center in college basketball at the moment. Coach says he'll apply for the draft along with his twin brother. If he doesn't like what he hears, he'll pull out and play another year at Stanford. One of the best centers in college basketball, but how will he fair in the NBA? Scouts aren't sure and workouts and draft camps will be a must. Predicted range: mid to late first round

Troy Murphy, Notre Dame (22.6 ppg, 9.3 rpg)
Junior, 6-11, 245
Murphy will likely take home the Player of the Year prize. He can bang down low or step back and nail the three. Has decent mobility for his size, great hands and fantastic court awareness. He should be a lock in the NBA draft, however some scouts questioned Murphy's skills when playing against NBA caliber players. He struggled versus the Dream Team this summer and he appeared timid on the court. A strong performance in the tournament will go a long way toward solidifying his pro stock. At this point he'd probably be a mid first rounder.

Rodney White, Charlotte (19.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg)
Freshman, 6-9, 230
The Conf USA Freshman of the year and Conf USA tournament MVP, White has devastating skills anywhere on the court. He's a great shooter, good ball handler, solid rebounder and comes through in the clutch. He led all NCAA freshman in scoring this year. White has said he is leaning toward declaring for the NBA after this season. If he can keep Charlotte hot and get them a couple of wins in the tourney, he'll land anywhere from late lottery to mid-first round in the draft.
Sensational freshman can do a bit of everything. Played power forward in college but will be a small forward in the pros. Great shooting range and athleticism. Predicted range: late lottery to mid first round

Joe Johnson, Arkansas (13.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg)
Sophomore, 6-8, 225
Johnson was considered by many to be the top prospect in the NCAA coming into his sophomore season. A strong performance in last year's NCAA tourney raised expectations and Johnson has failed to deliver so far. He's a silky smooth player with decent range on his outside shot and is able to create his shot off the dribble. His numbers are still adequate, but his inconsistency this season has hurt his stock tremendously. However, he came up huge in the SEC tournament and another hot postseason could raise his stock right back up. Finished the season strong after a very slow start. Questions will abound but someone will take him in the first round. Remember Jumaine Jones? Predicted range: mid to late first round

Eddie Griffin, Freshman, 6-9, Seton Hall
Said earlier that he'd return to Seton Hall, but now those close to Eddie say he'll take advantage of his high draft status and declare for the NBA soon. Among the NCAA leaders in rebounds and shot blocks. Predicted range: high lottery

Michael Bradley, Junior, 6-10, Villanova
Outstanding year, but no one seemed to notice. His value varies wildly on scouts radar screens. Reportedly has already decided to leave Nova and declare for the draft Predicted range: late lottery to mid first round

Pau Gasol, 7-1, Spain
Forget comparisons with Toni Kukoc, Gasol is known as the European Kevin Garnett and rightfully so. He is currently Europe's best player. Projected as a small forward in the pros he has the size, shooting range, handles, and court vision to play in the NBA. Could be the second coming of Dirk Nowitzki. Has stated he may want to remain in Barcelona for one more year until his contract expires. Predicted range: mid to late lottery

Zach Randolph, Freshman, 6-9, Michigan State
The man child may have not had a huge year statistically, but Tom Izzo brought him along slowly, ala Jason Richardson last year. Let's see if that keeps Randolph in Michigan one more year. Predicted range: mid to late lottery

Terence Morris, Maryland (12.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg)
Senior, 6-9, 205
Once considered a potential number one pick in the draft during his solid sophomore campaign, Morris' game has slipped ever since Steve Francis left and he became the Terps go to man. He has the height, speed, handles and inside-outside game that makes him one of the game's top talents. But his lack of aggressiveness and desire to lead have stunted his production for the Terps and severely damaged his stock in the NBA. He virtually disappears in big games for the Terps. If Morris can step up his game in the tournament, he still could regain his position in the lottery. If he disappears, someone will still take him in the first round, but it will be a disappointing end to very promising collegian career.

Steven Hunter, Sophomore, 7-0, DePaul*
Very athletic, but very skinny center (210 pounds) has gotten positive reviews but they are based on potential alone. Upside is he can hit the 15 footer and has enough ball handling skills to move to a different position in the pros. Down side is that physical players seem to completely take him out of the game. Not a strong rebounder. Averaged 11.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg and 2.4 bpg but shot 59% from the field. Predicted range: second round

Gerald Wallace, 6-7, Freshman, Alabama
Would've been a lottery pick last year and still may be one this year but discouraging season may convince him to stick around one more year at 'Bama Predicted range: late lottery to mid first round
Darius Rice, Freshman, 6-10, Miami
Rail thin nephew of Jerry Rice had a big season and is said to be seriously eyeing the pros though he really needs another year. Predicted range: mid to late first

Richard Jefferson, Junior, 6-7, Arizona
Probably the most athletic player in college basketball. Incredible hops, strenght and speed. Plays fantastic defense shutting down top players like Frank Williams and Jason Richardson in the tournament. Great finisher who has improved his outside shooting dramatically. Predicted range: mid to late first round

Tamar Slay, Junior, 6-9, Marshall
Big shooting guard, very athletic. Struggles as a shooter but will try to make the plunge anway. Predicted range: late first round - early second

Kevin Lyde, Junior, 6-9, Temple*
Lyde, a former McDonald's All-American, is a wide body with plenty of low post power moves. He played center at Temple and will have to move to the power forward postion in the pros. Had a fantastic tournament but his lack of athleticism and an outside shot will hurt his stock in the pros. Predicted range: second round.

Eddy Curry, C, 6-11
Committed to DePaul (leaning toward the NBA)
What they are saying: 'Arguably the best player in the class, Curry dominates when motivated using his 300-pound body and impressive athletic tools. He also brings polish to the offensive end, where he hits everything inside and brandishes an effective half-hook. His intensity does waver at times.' (Prep Stars)
Slimmed down, hit the weights and had a stellar end to his senior season. He already has an NBA body and the most polished offensive game of any of the big high school kids. MVP of the McDonald's All-American Game won't hurt. Could still rise as high as number one in the draft. Predicted range: high to mid lottery

Tyson Chandler, SF, 7-1
Remains uncommitted (Considering UCLA, NBA)
What they are saying: 'A spectacular talent, Chandler is a wiry, athletic dominator who has improved at both ends of the floor. He ranks among the best shotblockers in the class, and his offensive game extends to 15 feet away from the basket. He sprints up and down the floor to make plays in transition, and he plays with a flair that is unmistakable. He needs strength and more polish to play in the NBA, his likely destination following the season' (Prep Stars)
The first player to officially declare for the draft and probably the only one who has seriously through about it since the eighth grade when he was featured on 60 minutes. Scouts like a 7-1 player who can play small forward in the pros . . . no matter how big a project. Predicted range: high to mid lottery

DeSagana Diop, C, 7-0
Remains uncommitted (considering North Carolina, Virginia, and the NBA)
What they are saying: 'Huge at close to 300 pounds, Diop uses his bulk to grab rebounds and block shots. He moves okay up and down the floor, and his offensive arsenal has expanded to include an effective running hook. Still needs polish, but he's a big-time prospect.' (Prep Stars)
Some scouts feel that though he may be the rawest of the heralded high school big men, he may have the most potential. Hasn't committed to a college program and reports now say he's leaning toward declaring for the draft. Predicted range: mid lottery

James White, SF, 6-7
Committed to Florida
What they are saying: 'A skywalker by anyone's definition, White soars over and around people for dunks and pretty lay-ins. He loves to get out in transition finishes extremely reliably using those hops and good body control. His ballhandling remains average, but his jumpshot has improved over the past 12 months. He also passes alertly and unselfishly when penetrating the lane. James still needs to gain strenth and continue to hone his perimeter skills.' (Prep Stars)

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[This message has been edited by Moe (edited April 06, 2001).]

 

I would like to know what others think about some of these guys.

Maybe this will make for an easier reply.

1. Curry
2. Griffin
3. Chandler
4. Battier
5. White
6. Diop
7. Murphy
8. Jefferson
9. Wallace
10. Haywood
11. Johnson
12. Woods
13. Bradley
14. Randolph
15. Collins
16. Morris

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Chris Monter reports today that Joseph Forte has declared for the NBA. Originally, I didn't put guards in this list, because, I don't think Rocks will take one. However, a couple like maybe Forte might push someone else down.

1. Curry
2. Griffin
3. Chandler
4. Battier
5. White
6. Diop
7. Forte
8. Murphy
9. Jefferson
10.Wallace
11. Haywood
12. Johnson, Joe
13. Johnson, Ken
14. Woods
15. Bradley
16. Randolph
17. Collins
18. Morris
19. Cisse


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