Indeed. I try not to do Rocket comparisons (or comparisons at all) but Sengun has the frame and scoops of Luis Scola. Just not the hair or the cash money 18 footer.
I can’t communicate how pleased and pleasantly surprised I am about how the rockets approached last night’s draft. Obviously we all saw Green coming but I did not see Houston moving up to 16 to get Sengun. This was a swing for the fences pick with plenty of time to develop. I love it. and I was sure Garuba wouldn’t be there at 23, but he was and the rockets capitalized. I have no idea about Christopher but I’m happy they kept and made that pick; especially if there weren’t good options to convert it to a future pick of value. I guess my dream was that the rockets would pick up an extra pick and take a home run swing, which they did. I hopped someone good would slip to 23, and that happened. And I hopped they wouldn’t screw up the #2 pick, which they didn’t. I’m going to give Stone some props on his first draft. I’m excited about our young talent!
Very pleased and excited for the Rockets draft last night. Going to be fun watching these youngsters develop!
https://theathletic.com/2741125/202...s-30-thoughts-on-who-impressed-and-surprised/ My favorite team drafts 1. Houston Rockets: The Rockets started the night with picks No. 2, 23 and 24. They ended up with three of my top-11 players plus a good creative guard in Christopher, although they did end up having to use five first-round draft assets to do it. That’s fine; I would imagine moving two first-rounders for Alperen Sengun was something they were comfortable doing. I had Jalen Green at No. 4 on my personal board but think he’s a high-upside player with a multi-time All-Star ceiling. I had Sengun at No. 8, as I think he has a good chance to average over 20 points per game offensively. What you do with him defensively is another story, but it’s hard to imagine a better way to insulate him on that end than by taking Usman Garuba, for my money the best defensive player in this draft right now. He’s terrific on that end of the floor and should do a great job covering for Sengun in help, in scramble situations and out in ball-screen actions. I had Garuba at No. 11 on my board. All around, a big winning night for the Rockets. This will absolutely jump-start their rebuild in an enormous way. Best value first-round picks 2. Alperen Sengun, Rockets: I think Sengun legitimately ends up putting up numbers that see him compete for Rookie of the Year. He won’t win it, because Cade Cunningham should have the keys to the Detroit offense, and because his own teammate Jalen Green will have a ton of points. But Sengun will have some real opportunity on this roster in the frontcourt, even with the presence of Christian Wood. He’s the most polished offensive big man in the draft, and offense is what tends to get rewarded in Rookie of the Year voting. Right now, according to our partners at BetMGM, Sengun is 50-to-1 to win the Rookie of the Year award. Given that I think he should probably be the fifth or sixth favorite heading into the year, I’d have him more in the 10- to 12-to-1 range to win the award. Sportsbooks often underrate European players entering the league. I’d suggest taking advantage of those odds because I think it’s off by about a factor of four. 3. Usman Garuba, Rockets: Another home run for the Rockets because Garuba’s defensive ability is just that good. He’s ready to come in right now and run whatever pick-and-roll scheme you place him in and fly all over the court in help defense. He’s the best pick-and-roll big defender I’ve ever evaluated as a teenager. I think he’s going to keep getting better, and after playing a ton of EuroLeague minutes this year, he’s ready for the NBA from Day 1.
It's the dumbest thing ever but incredibly common amongst those comparisons which is why i put them right where they belong in the trashbin
What a draft. Excited for the summer league and for the next season. Has someone read a cap breakdown? I think that could give us a good glimpse of next year's roster right?
Feels like we drafted a whole new squad of talent. The picks address roster needs but also aims for upside. Sengun and Gaurba are young big men, but already accomplished international players. I really think Stone knocked it out of the park.
Who was that guy the Rockets had for a small bit whose scouting report weakness said basketball. lol. Think he was a big man.
Can’t imagine why! ;-) Here’s some irony for you. Clint was selected with the 25th pick of the 2014 draft, one pick after Josh Christopher in this year’s first round. Here’s hoping that Josh has as much success as Capela has in his career, hopefully more.
