Realistic opportunities for Small Forward spot next season

I think Shandon's production would increase if we signed Webber. Not only does it take pressure off him, but a forward that averages 5 assists per game would definitely help. most of Webber's assits comes from cutting guards, and that's something Shandon does well.

but I STILL prefer jefferson. I can't tell u how much I love this guy's game. His athletic ability alone is a tremendous factor. He's shown so much improvement over the last year, he's willing to learn. He can become an incredible defender, no doubt about that. He just needs a while to adjust to the league. Offense needs to be polished, but like I said, he's wiling to learn, has improved, will continue to improve. I hear he's also an above-average rebounder for his height. I dunno, to me, he seems like a Shawn Marion. Incredible leaping ability, rebounding, defense is even better than Marion, and nuthing in his offense that can't be fixed in one season.

Battier won't be a bust, but he'll never carry a team, never have the game winning block, never wake up when everyone else is awake, and honestly, I don't see how he can improve anymore since his problem is his athleticism.

offense can be taught, but athleticism? speed? Instinct?


I'd pick him(Jefferson) as high as 5 or 6, but I think he might slip, but I'm not sure I'd pick Battier until 7th or 8th.


Also, a lot of ppl are sayng that Memphis, Atlanta, and the Clippers all would like to trade their picks for depth/experience.

We can offer our two later picks and Walt for their pick. That's like #15 and #18(?) and Walt for a pick and fill-ins. We need to vacate the 3 spot, and get rid of two picks for one.


Let's just hope everything falls into place.

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[This message has been edited by Sane (edited May 14, 2001).]

 

Another free agent making a name for himself in the playoffs is Eddie Robinson with Charlotte.

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RJ all the way.

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Don't look at the feet

 

I think it is fairly a given the Rockets will address the SF position in the draft especially considering all the talent that is there this year.

Everyone has mentioned Battier and Jefferson, so I'll hit them first. I like Battier and I think he has real talent, but the Rockets won't be able to get him unless they move up. I think he represents the right kind of player the Rockets need, but I'm not sure the Battier will ever be able to get his own shot in the NBA. That's ok with Francis and Mobley here, but it is something to think about.

Jefferson is a guy I really like. He's a young, defensive-minded guy who can jump through the roof, but we'd have to wait on him a little because he just doesn't have a consistent jumper. IMO, he's got to be high on the Rockets board.

Joe Johnson is another on my list. This kid has some special skills and isn't even 20 yet. What I like about him in terms of the Rockets is that he can handle the ball well which gives guys like Francis and Mobley more room to roam on offense. After reading about him a bunch, I could see why teams would want him. He fits that Lamar Odom, Penny Hardaway type of player mold. IMO, he represents the most exciting player of those that could be available to us at 13 even though his stock is rising fast.

Terrence Morris has been mentioned and I'm sure Francis would like having him considering they played together. Morris HAS to work on his strength, but I like him too. He could be a sleeper. I don't imagine the Rockets would take him at 13, but I could see him going later if the Rockets pass on a SF early, especially if others are gone like last year.

Gerald Wallace is another guy to keep your eye on. He is like a human highlight film. he is VERY young and will need time to develop but he is an unreal athlete. Wallace didn't hire an agent, so he could conceivably go back to school if he wanted.



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The internet is about the free exchange and sale of other people's ideas. - Futurama

 

All the players mentioned above would fit great with the Rockets next season. Personally I would like to see Jefferson drafted by the Rockets, but no one has mentioned the track that Rudy has about not drafting young players. He always goes with the seniors ( see--Collier) even when there is a player with great potential sitting on the board. Hopefully Rudy & Co. will take a chance on a young player with great up-side.

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take it one day at a time

 

Of course, this all depends on whether we trade up or ship off players.

If we add Webber but find no takers for Walt, Cato, Shandon, et al., then I imagine we draft a half-ass center at #13 and take Morris with a later pick. Morris is no leader, and people give him grief, but he's 6'8", long-armed, can play inside and outside, can bring the ball up the floor.

That last part is important. Someone who can handle the ball in the zone and 8-second half-court rule.

Oh, yeah, and he played 4 years, important in Rudy's scheme of things, as someone mentioned.

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[This message has been edited by ROXTXIA (edited May 14, 2001).]

 

Great posts, Cat and Jeff!

You both hit the nail right on the head about Jefferson. This is the guy to go for!

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The rockets can address the SF positions by ignoring it. Moochie will get more PG time with SF and CM on the wings....the versatility of Steve and Cat to play in 2 and 3 guard line-up eliminates our need for treating the SF position as highest priority.

imo, we could add Grant Hill, and win less games next year if we lose Mo' and Hakeem, this summer. On draft night, we will have no assurances of keeping our already short-handed front-line intact, much less improving it. Face it: the Cato bust has made our frontline *highest priority*. The lack of depth on our frontline is why our defense sucked, not because Shandon was too short. If there is any indisputable logic in this SF vs more beef debate, it is that improving the SF position is not addressing our main defensive problems. Cato is a bust. Hakeem is not the future, and Collier, Mo' and KT are not the way to anchor a defense.

This is not to say we won't draft a SF as "best available". But if we do, I expect him packaged in a trade before camp.

 

i nominate Richard Jefferson...
in my mind, he's an Eddie Jones w/ strength and most of all, cajones...which gives him a winner's edge.

just my 2 cents.

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purvis was never short.

 

Jeff,I liked your analysis for the SF position.I would like to have your opinion on Rodney White.Do you think he is a good fit for the 3 spot or is he a tweener?

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Depending what we do with our picks, I think there is no way we don't address the C/PF position with one of our picks. I don't even think that it is out of the realm of possibility that they take a big man with #13 and hope that Jefferson, Morris or Wallace are there at #18 or #23. With the impending departure of Carlos Rodgers and the possible loss of Dream and trade of Cato we will be very thin up front. Webber has often stated that he hates playing center and would probably like to play alongside someone who's is at least half decent. A long rangy Ratlif type would be good with the latter picks. Ken Johnson and Kimani Ffriend had good showings in the draft camps so far. I think Johnson and White are two players that we could have had at #13 but as time goes by other teams will be high on them ( especially Johnson ) and they might be gone. If they are gone and one of the senior centers like Woods or Haywood is around I can see the Rockets taking one of them. These guys should be able to contribute immediately unlike some of the high-schoolers. Let's not forget the Europeans either Pau Gasol is a 7-1 Toni Kukoc type player

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you mean like steve francis?



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Ric
http://www.houstonprofootball.com

 

First of all heypartner, THANKS!! It's been awhile since we had some GOOD BBall talk around here.

A TRUE SF or wing would still be a better option in the frontcourt in terms of both rebounding and defense than a SG, remember the Rocks have already tried a SG (Anderson) at the 3 with minimal success.

What does Cat bring to the 3 that is comparable to what Lynch does for Philly, since your thinking of Philly? Actually, I'm thinking of the Bucks with better and more willing slashers. And IMO, Phoenix lost DESPITE having Marion because they have built a team of one-dimensional players. But then again, Phoenix has ALWAYS been a team of one-dimensional players.

To be honest with you, the guy that I want\hope the Rocks to draft is Kwame Brown, a PF. So I understand your concerns with the frontcourt. But the Rocks have been in flux with those 2 positions for the last 2 seasons, yet have managed to improve. And in terms of Nowitski, NO, you can't leave him out of the equation because you have to consider Dallas as a contender, esp. with the situations in Utah (age), Portland (chemistry), Sac (CWebb), and Minnesota (not enough weapons). And if the playoffs are proving anything, it's that as Dirk goes Dallas goes.

Now, you state that you're scared, for the Rocks' sake, of the premier PF\Cs in the West. Well, I'm scared of MISSED OPPORTUNITIES, of having the ability to draft a STUD SF (and there are plenty this year), but instead drafting a role-playing C\PF out of "fear". True, the "Stud" SFs could turn out to be "DUDS", and the Cs could turn out to be the stars, but I still feel that this draft will give the Rocks a chance to FINALLY (as in since McCray the Rocks have had NO LUCK finding a good, consistent, well-rounded SF) solidify the perimeter.




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Some good posts in this thread.

You know, I'm being half-silly, half-serious when I say this, but I have a feeling the Rockets will pass on Jefferson even if he's available at the #13.

Why? Well, one, the BBS crowd always seem to go after a young, athletic, exciting player to be disappointed when the Rockets draft someone else just to piss us off.

Two, HP's comments make me think. All the hype surrounding the great potential SFs in the draft made me forget about the prospects of getting a center. Why are the Rockets so keen on moving up? Battier? It seems to me that a great SF should be available at the #13. Not Battier, but out of Jefferson, Johnson, White, one might very well still be there when we pick. But regardless of what we may think, we NEED a good center much more than we really NEED a good SF. You want to argue that a great SF will make more of a difference than a good/decent Center, okay. But consider that the Rockets' top priority this summer is getting Webber or keeping Mo. And both have expressed a desire to be paired with a good center before they come/stay here. Dream's great, but even if we keep him, he's not long-term, and that's what everyone's thinking about right now. Maybe I'm just naive and easily influenced (which isn't far off), but I think the Rockets are probably looking to grab a good big man to replace Hakeem.

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Sign him up



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President of the Steve Francis, Jamal Crawford,Larry Hughes, and Charles Woodson fan club.

 

Thanks Relativist. That's what I was saying earlier. We must think Center, and Brown would be an awesome acquisition. However, K. Brown has repeatedly said he does not want to play center.

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Enbehay,what would you prefer, getting Haywood or Woods with the 13th pick and Morris with the 22nd pick or getting Jefferson,Joe Johnson or White with the 13th pick,and Ken Johnson/Jason Collins with the 22nd pick? I would choose the latter option because the latter players play with more intensity than the former group.
I have already expressed my concern that Rudy and CD might choose Murphy and perhaps Haywood instead of Jefferson/Joe Johnson or White with the 13th pick.
The Rockets also seem to have themes like going big,when they picked KT,Washington,and Hamilton in the draft two years ago.

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I too would go with your latter option, although I hope Rudy and CD package players (Anderson, Cato, Rogers, Thomas and/or Williams) to trade down to get a center of the future (I like Diop) while finding a way to get Johnson or Jefferson. Any others like Hassell or Bogans would be a plus.

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Oops. Please change that from trade down to trade up.

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you know, if dream leaves and Webber does end up coming here, the center position will be a much more important hole to fill than the SF. Rockets need to find a freaking center.

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