By TSN correspondent Michael Murphy Houston Chronicle The Sporting News takes an analytical look at what the Rockets might do in the June 28 NBA draft: TEAM NEEDS Athletic small forward: If the Rockets have one glaring need, it's for a small forward with size and athleticism. Right now they're using the 1-2 punch of Walt Williams (who has the size at 6-8, but lacks athleticism at this stage of his career) and Shandon Anderson (who has athleticism, but lacks NBA size at 6-6). Together, they do an adequate job. But ideally the Rockets would like to have one guy who can fill the bill in both departments. And if he's a youngster who can mature along with the team, then all the better. Backup center: With Hakeem Olajuwon entering his final year, the Rockets could use a big man who can replace the one-time superstar. But the new guy will be different because in the past, Olajuwon was the focal point of the team on the offensive end of the floor. Any big man they draft will be the focal point more on the defensive side and on the boards. It's going to be Steve Francis' team for some time. Frontcourt size: The Rockets need some big bodies up front, especially after going with midgets like Charles Barkley (6-6) and Kenny Thomas (6-7) in the power spots. And while Carlos Rogers is long (6-11), he lacks the bulk (just 225 pounds) to contend with the behemoths in the NBA on a regular basis. FIVE WHO MAKE SENSE DerMarr Johnson, Cincinnati Long, athletic and versatile -- and coach Rudy Tomjanovich loves players who can play several positions. While Johnson, 6-9, has been compared to Lamar Odom, he is perhaps closer to being a young Jalen Rose -- a guy who will mature into a multi-positional talent. Johnson impressed the Rockets with his shooting, and his long, lanky frame is built for the NBA. And at just 19 years of age, there is still plenty of room for improvement. Mike Miller, Florida Another early-entry candidate (leaving the Gators after his sophomore year), Miller has that intangible feel for the game -- not only making big plays himself, but setting his teammates up to make big plays as well. Because of the green light he had in college, Miller sometimes made some mistakes on the court, but usually from trying to do too much. He can put the ball on the floor, knock down the outside shot and is athletic enough to have drawn comparisons to Bob Sura. He'll probably be gone before the Rockets pick at No. 9. Darius Miles, East St. Louis (Ill.) Lincoln HS Another Tracy McGrady or Kevin Garnett? Miles is getting the most run as the high school prospect of the draft, mostly because of his explosive athletic ability. Miles has a strong first step, unbelievable quickness and strong leaping ability, and he is one of the more versatile players you'll see. The downside is his slight frame (which will obviously improve) and a tendency towards erratic, if not lazy, play. He, too, will most likely be gone when the Rockets walk to the podium. Iakovos Tsakalidis, AEK Athens, Greece A monster who has measured out to have legit NBA size (7-2) and strength, unlike a lot of foreign big men (see Fredric Weis). Tsakalidis, who is either 20 or 22, has a solid grounding in NBA fundamentals after being tutored by Dusan Ivkovic, who also worked extensively with Vlade Divac, Kukoc, and the late Drazen Petrovic. He would give the Rockets a nice center to groom as a replacement for Olajuwon. Jerome Moiso, UCLA A smooth lefty who fills the bill with both his size and his athletic ability. Moiso can run the floor and is very comfortable facing the basket, even though he is an obvious post-up threat as well, given his size. Another young prospect (20), Moiso still has a lot to learn about the game. Might be a reach here, but should the Rockets trade down a couple of spots in the draft, Moiso might be their man. DRAFT RUMORS The Rockets could possibly move down in the draft, especially with so many teams interested in moving up in order to get Fresno State shooting guard Courtney Alexander. It's hard to see the Rockets moving down, though, with at least one of the many small-forward types expected to be there at No. 9. Mystery continues to surround Tsakalidis, who is supposedly locked up to AEK Athens until 2003. But sources say AEK will let Tsakalidis go, and that all the talk about his "ironclad" contract are simply to get discussions going on a generous buyout of his deal. Among the other rumors is that center Chris Mihm continues to slip, with Chicago now leaning towards taking 7-1 Joel Pryzbilla with the No. 4 pick (if they don't package the No. 4 and 7 for the first pick, that is). Mihm would then be snatched up by the Magic at No. 5. While far from a finished product, Pryzbilla is wowing everyone with his athleticism and tremendous hands. THE LAST FIVE In the past the Rockets have generally favored taking four-year players, mostly because of the maturity -- both physically and emotionally. And with veteran-laden teams, it was always easier to integrate the more mature draftees into the mix. Overall, the Rockets have landed mostly complementary players in the last five years, which is understandable since their teams featured the likes of Olajuwon, Barkley, Clyde Drexler and Scottie Pippen. 1999: Kenny Thomas -- The Rockets got a nice complementary player at No 22 in Thomas, a four-year power forward from New Mexico. But their real bonanza came when they dealt a raft of players to Vancouver for the rights to Steve Francis, the No. 2 pick in the Draft. 1998: Michael Dickerson, Bryce Drew, Mirsad Turkcan -- The Rockets had three first-round picks, No. 14 Dickerson), No. 16 Drew and No. 18 Turkcan. But it was in the second round that the Rockets really hit the jackpot, landing Rhode Island guard Cuttino Mobley at No. 41. Dickerson went to Vancouver in the Francis trade, and Drew remains with the team as a role player while the Rockets traded away the rights to Turkcan. But this draft will eventually be remembered for who the Rockets did not pick -- local high schooler Rashard Lewis, who went to Seattle with the first pick in the second round. 1997: Roderick Rhodes -- The Rockets made a surprise pick at 24 with Rhodes, the 6-7 swingman out of Southern Cal. While Rhodes showed a lot of potential, especially with his defense, he never really panned out offensively and was eventually traded. 1996: No first-round pick -- Vancouver had the pick, nabbing 6-10 Alabama forward Roy Rogers at No. 22. Suffice it to say the Rockets have not been keeping themselves awake at night regretting this move. But they did get Othella Harrington with the first pick in the second round. 1995: No first-round pick. http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/teams/rockets/index.html ------------------
