With the 13th pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, the Rockets select...

Harrison Barnes?

 

I was looking at the DraftExpress mock. They had us taking Timothe Luwawu (sg/sf) at #12 & Malcolm Brogdon (sg)at #38. Then I noticed they had A. J. Hammons (c) going at #39. Hammons is a 7' 270 shot blocker with college 3 pt range. If he's there at 38, I rather take him than another sg there.

 

Sounds like a plan.

 

this french guard that will play in the Nike Summit looks very interesting.
Plays very hard defence has great standing reach and can also shoot.

 

USA will kick those Euros' asses.

 

'Murica weer numbur one! YEAH!!

 

FCK YEAH

 

Sam Decker's new friend bleeber.

 

I can't watch. I meant Cordinier I think his name is. Could end up going to the lottery even in this years draft.

 

Ya don't say!?!

(Insert Nick Cage gif)

 

I thought Clint helped us a lot last year.

 

We have 1 guy who can create shots for others and is a good passer. How many do SAS and GS have? As great is James is, we can't win with this team. We need food passers at all 5 spots. We have very streaky wings and post players who are terrible passers and shooters.

The league has changed, unfortunately we haven't changed with it. This team isn't constructed to win this league. It starts with Morey and his love for superstars. Granted Spurs have KL and LMA and GS has their 3 but the can all shoot and pass. We literally have no players except James.

I'll eat crow. This season's failures weren't McHale's fault.

 

Furkan KORKMAZ

 

Almost everyone was wrong about Lawson. Should I do a search for posters that thought Lawson would cost, not one, but two first round picks AND WHO WANTED TO PAY THAT PRICE FOR HIM?!?!? Not to mention the posters that laughed when I kept saying Lawson had no trade value and we shouldn't even give one first for him?

I'm not saying Rubio is going to happen.. I am saying we are never going to win a championship without acquiring a primary playmaker whom Harden turns the ball over to consistently. And I am saying very clearly that if Harden would accept this change that there is no better fit than Rubio because Rubio doesn't care one bit about scoring the ball. Rubio loves to create for others. He'd make Harden even more proficient and efficient scoring the ball and he'd kerp our bigs in high cotton as well, thereby creating a multi-dimensional half-court offense that can attack from anywhere on the floor while staying balanced to be able to get back in transition defense. Not to mention Rubio lighting up our own transition offense with his steals and playmaking.

 

I cannot see Harden running off a screen to get free.

 

I don't believe we have to turn Harden into J.J. Redick to get him the ball in scoring position when he is off the ball. And I don't believe we should expect Harden to do that. And I don't believe it would be good for Harden to do all that. (I am for conserving Harden's energy as much as possible and leaving him strong as a bull for down the stretch.)

Harden is simply too talented. You put him weakside, let him breathe, and run the play on the opposite side. If the D shuts it down, he slides to the top, catches in triple threat position, and does his thing that he does so well. But under these circumstances he does it against a defense that is already distorted and discombobulated from defending the other side of the floor.

The next thing you can do very well with Harden is CUTS. Not running him off screens. But cuts to the basket. You get a PG like Rubio that can actually find guys and thread the needle and cuts become a major aspect of the offense. Harden is great at cutting. Did it all the time in OKC.

Not to mention just a pure spot up with the ball coming out to him from the interior. I'd like to see Harden's percentages on those type spot-up shots. I'd bet he's close to 50% from 3 on those spot-up shots with the ball coming out to him from the interior.

And then he can always break the defender down with his dribble.

Harden is too talented. In my mind, he's the very best scorer in the league. Even better than Steph at purely scoring the basketball. He should be averaging around 33 or more a game with somebody spoon-feeding him on even higher shooting percentages while still getting to the FT line a ton and getting his turnover count down, down, down.

 

I love Dunn, but unfortunately I don't see him falling to an area where the Rockets would even be able to trade up for him. Same with Sabonis and Poetl - if either of those guys are in range you have to take a shot.

Beasley could be solid off the bench, but I think there are many scorers that could be available in RD2 and I'd prefer to go for a PG or C, especially if we aren't expecting to re-sign Dwight.

Never thought I'd say it, but we have too many holes to fill through just 1 draft. PG, C, backup SG, backup SF.

 

Two first? Dorsey and lottery protected '16 first rounder?

Let us be honest, the first rounders needed to acquire Rubio would be higher.

I use to be in your boat but the Lawson "experiment" soured me on pass first, ball dominate guards alongside Harden. It most certainly can work, but I see it working less probable.

As good as Rubio is, Harden's offense skills are greatly more immense. I can't see Harden and Rubio being able to share the court, both getting +30 minutes a night.

Now, I am in the Lou Williams type of guard boat. Lou Williams is a shoot first guard and pass the ball secondarily. He's been a bonafide "6th man of the year", which I think is better suited for Harden.

KJ McDaniels/Lou Williams
Harden/Snell/Timothe Luwawu/some other 2 guard

 

I have been on your side about this from the get go.

 

No one is denying the ability. Simply the willingness.

I'm genuinely shocked anytime he makes a hard cut off the ball and it almost always results in a bucket. Harden off a catch with a player reeling is murder for the defense.

You're asking for a complete change in mentality from Harden. Moving away from what he is most comfortable doing. It would take some serious trust in a) the coaching and b) the player he is giving up the ball to in these situations.

I hope it happens, I'm just not optimistic.