It’s not being talked about enough so far, we have to get bigger this offseason

Well Kenyon Martin Jr in last 12 games:
16.8 pts...7.3 rebs...2.3 Ast....1.1 stl....39.3% (3P%)....4.7 (3PA's)

It's the last 12 games but KMjr showed promise in the Silas system.
Before the season KMjr couldn't hit an open 3.....so that's progress.

So if we draft Jalen Green for SG and Porter plays predominantly at PG.
Then the Rockets may be set at positions 1 thru 3 for the next 10 years
with PG) Porter Jr...SG) Jalen Green.... SF) Martin Jr

Convincing Wood to extend his contract and play PF.
Rockets would be: Porter /J Green / Martin / Wood......Bassey growing
into Center role. That's direction.

All young, rookie contracts:
positions: 1(minimal $ ), 2, 3 and 5 (w/Bassey). Because Bassey would
be on rookie contract, it doesn't hurt to sit him in the playoffs when teams
go small.

So if we go as my friend @saleem has mentioned: Garuba or Greg Brown, or
even Kia Jones added to our draft....also getting burn time and adjusting to
NBA life (less zone defense covering up their defensive flaws).
That would be a success.

Future drafts will be shoring up the positions we have. Maybe upgrading?

 

Thank you D. You are a fine contributor.

 

Thanks Apache.

 

I disagree with you.

 

In tonight's Clippers/Suns game 2......Zubac was the greatest +/- at +28.

Followed by Beverley at +24 and Paul George at +23.

On the Sun's side.......Saric at +11.......all others were big negatives.

So the big guys aren't killing the sport as I was told previously

 

Neemias Queta is better fit with Mobley than Bassey.

Why Bassey AND Queta?

 

If Jalen Green is the pick, I concur that Rockets need to move up for Kai Jones.

 

They spent.

You can see in the past 3/4 years they've aken on bad contact just to add whatever asset they can. That accumulated and the bets paid off and now they have depth to surround their star. we aren't taking on bad contracts to build up assets.

 

I think you draft for the future without trying to shape the existing roster. If anyone in the league is interested in Wall, he'll be gone. If not, after this season we probably buy him out for his last season at some point. Whatever the case is, he's not in the long term plans.

KPJ has not proven he can be consistent, that he can execute late games, that he can avoid costly turnovers, or that he can be effective at PG. It's possible he's in the cards long term, but he might turnout to be more of a sixth man role vs. starter, or he could be more of a star scorer with a great all around game. In either case, he hasn't proven enough yet to want to draft around him. And that comment would apply for everyone on this team, including KJ Martin, Tate, Wood, etc.

Yes, we have some exciting young players. The biggest potential upside right now is KJ given his improvement in the season, though KPJ is probably a close second. Tate is closer to a finished product than a young developing player. But none of them are sure fire guaranteed starters long term or guys whose presence should drive us to bypass "best available" in favor of "best fit"

 

If the Rockets had both, I think Bassey wins the starting gig easily.

Queta is kinda mechanical still. Moves around like Dwayne Dedmon.
Queta does not shot 3's
Bassey is more polished in the offensive skills than Queta
Bassey blocks shots with either hand (Queta only with right hand)

Bassey fits Silas system to a T:
*Screen Setter
*Roll-Man (lob target)
*Hook Shots with either hand
*76% FT shooter (can be in P-n-Pop near FT line)
*30.5% (3-Pt shooter.....allows for high screen at 3-pt line)
*Seals defender off well when receiving ball in the block
*Shot Blocker extraordinaire (hand to hip for timing of opponent jump)
*High level rebounder
*Runs length of the court like a deer...good in fast breaks/rim runs
*High energy level/motor (3.1 offensive rebounds per game)

Mavericks would love to move into the end of the 1st Rd to get Bassey for Doncic

Hilltoppers schedule included:
Memphis
Louisville
West Virginia
Houston
Alabama
Rice

 

I don't see any problem targeting certain characteristics starting now. I think it's smart in today's nba to load up on length and shooting.

 

agreed why get bigger why bring back the twin towers if we will still be in the same position next year I say guard first because john wall

 

My question is why draft both of these guys?

And neither are better than Wood.

 

We don't need to do anything but get talent and develop it to see if we can get a star. Until we have top tier talent everything else is irrelevant, especially winning games. Once we have talent, that talent will define the direction of the team and you can then find the rest of the pieces to make it competitive. Bring threads like this back in 2025.

 

Maybe Jericho Sims with #24?

He’s been projected late 2nd or undrafted but I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts shooting up the boards with more scouts getting an up close look.

That dude is built like Dwight, moves way, way better then Queta.

 

I feel the Rockets need two Big Bigs.

When/if one gets hurt you have the second Big to fall back on; but I would
go one vet one rookie. Maybe Aron Baynes or D Theis as vets with size
that have the capability of shooting 3's.

The rookie, I'm still stuck on Bassey because I fail to see a guy with size yet,
mobile (runs end to end like a deer) with the capability to shoot 3's (if Mobley
has the capacity to improve his 3's then Bassey does as well because Bassey
shot about one more attempt per game than Mobley at about the same %).

Luka Garza is that on offense but his defense may be too porous.

After seeing clips of Queta yesterday, I have turned off on Queta. He just
lumbers out there too much. His lateral quickness is too poor. Dwayne
Dedmon moves actually better than Queta. As I've said, teams are switching
in space to keep that Big Big near the rim........the Big Big needs to move
their feet a little better than Queta does. Queta would mostly work in zone
as they do with Marc Gasol in recent years. Drummond is also too slow.

So in summary: I want a big that is around 230 to 245/250 pounds that can
somewhat hold their ground, yet mobile enough not to get run out of the gym.
Capela type of Gafford type that has the capabilities to hit 3's so we don't
lose too much in offensive spacing. Silas offense likes that high PnR near
the 3-pt line while using the center/PF. Takes the opposing center/PF away
from the rim......allowing backdoor cuts/slashing. Jalen Green/Porter/Wall/EGo
can turn the corner on the PnR and see Kenyon/Tate cutting/Slashing to rim.
_____________________________
So now let's flip the script. Mobley is a carbon copy of Wood. Why do I want
to draft a backup to Wood with a high pick like #2? Wouldn't it be better to
get Kia Jones later in the draft for that or Garuba?

I had two weak centers in Wood and Olynyk playing power forwards; but
I'm guessing Olynyk might not be giving us a discount to come back.
So I would go two weak centers playing power forward in Wood plus
Garuba or Kia Jones (some mock drafts have either or lasting past the
Rockets at #23 or #24). One moves to centers in small ball lineups.
Olynyk has the weight Im looking for in my Big Big but gets tangled
up in his own legs like a baby gazelle. Olynyk does offer the PF skills
though and can be serviceable as center for some stretches of game
or season.

Like the two Big Bigs I have a spare weak center/PF when one gets hurt.

*Side note: Aron Baynes is about 260 lbs but from what I can see can still move
adequately enough for at least one more year. People claim we will be a lottery
team again, so what does it matter that Baynes is 35 y/o and on an expiring
contract? Buying time for a rookie to transition to the NBA. John Lucas converted
Capela into the player he is today.

 

Bigger? Yes.

But the Rockets are sorely lacking wing depth, which really hurt our defense. We need more 6'6" to 6'9" guys that can defend and shoot on the perimeter.

 

1. Find a star
2. Get bigger

Not in reverse order

Welcome to rebuilding, OP. We are not trying to be contenders.

 

First of all, I'm so glad you are no longer keen on drafting Queta with a 1st round pick.

We can agree on this, Queta is not worth a FRP.

Bassey may not be drafted in first either IMO.

Muscle 5's (as you call them) will be plentiful in 2nd round and UDFA.

For a reason.

These kind of players are no longer playable, especially in playoffs, unless they have unique guard skills like Jokic, Embiid or Gasol.

Comparing Mobley with Bassey always confuses me, their games are nothing alike. I can see the Bassey - Capela (Clint when he was drafted, not now) comparison but Mobley is head and shoulders the better player.

That said I am all for drafting Jalen Green IF Stone figures out how to trade up for Kai Jones.

I love Kai Jones, he is a uber-bouncy modern 5 that can switch 1-5, handle ball in transition, roller/dunker, protect rim and shoot 3ball at +36%.

Barring this, you draft Mobley and sign a similar freak in 6'10 Jericho Simms in UDFA (or acquire SRP and draft him) and work on his 3ball.

Or better yet acquire 6'11 EJ Onu who is bigger/longer than Bassey and already shoots 40% from 3.

 

You can do both at the same time by drafting Mobley.