What is your current Rockets Top 5 Draft Big board?

Walker is more skilled, stronger and well rounded than Ausar. He obviously has played at a higher level. Is he quick enough though to defend on wings and guards? He has length but he isn't tall enough to defend against tall centers.

 

May as well include #6...

#1 - Wembanyama
Obvious. Height. Skills. Star power. Would really make this 3 year tank a helluva force going forward. He's a fit anywhere.
#2 - Henderson
Obvious to me. Skilled as a distributor, playmaker and drive game aficionado. Basically exactly what this team needs.
#3 - Amen Thompson
Electric athlete, playmaker and tools as a defender too. If it weren't for a broken shot, he's #2. If he becomes even passable as a shooter he's a dynamic point of attack. Basically exactly what this team needs.
#4 - Whitmore
Scorer and athlete. Day 1 starter. Not who we tanked for but as a consolidation prize, this guy could turn into something special.
#5 - Ausar Thompson
Similar athlete to his twin but a 3&D oriented skillset. Would fit nicely between Green and Smith at the 3, starts immediately but I feel like all the star power is in the 1st 4 picks.
#6 - Walker
UH connection, powerhouse build, awesome defender. Don't know where he fits but still worth a shot on his rare frame/talent.

 

Top 5 ….
1. Wemby
2. Scoot
3. Miller
4. A. Black
5. TRADE THAT SON OF A BISCUIT EATER

 

Second and third ones were really nice. If he can do that more often/consistently as he matures it will really unlock his potential.

I hope we don't land at like #5, #6, but if we came out of this draft with Whitmore at least we'd have plenty to dream on.

 

I'm curious why some are much higher on Anthony Black than Amen Thompson. Both are supersized PGs that struggle to shoot the ball. Thompson's rim pressure and playmaking are as good as anyone's in the draft imo.

 

I don't really want either one, but I think it's a good point. Black looks really shaky as an athlete, like... I'm not sure he can really get by anyone in the NBA to create shots for people. It was pretty rough watching him show no explosion at the rim. If I'm going to take one of them, it's Thompson. I think Anthony Black would be okay with some development if a team can develop him physically, but that's a big ? compared to shooting.

 

They basically just hate the fact that Amen Thompson played in OTE this year. That's the only thing I can figure.

To me Thompson is clearly the better version of a similar player profile.

 

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/te...tery-prospects-countdown-brandon-18091249.php

No. 3: Brandon Miller
Position: F
Height: 6-9
College: Alabama
Age: 20
Comp: Paul George

Overview
There is nothing as certain as which player will be chosen first. But for the second consecutive season, the players that will go in the top three are nearly as much of a sure thing. The choice between Miller and Scoot Henderson could come down to tastes, with different teams to make different choices depending on the lottery results and in some cases, if there is a clear path to ample playing time.

A season that began with Henderson considered nearly as certain to go second as Victor Wembanyama is to go first, Miller has moved into the conversation, evaluations that do not seem to have changed with his NCAA tournament struggles. That was in part because he might have been limited by an ankle injury. But he had already shown enough for scouts to expect Miller to bring a complete package as a shooter, shot creator for himself and teammates and defender.

Miller will be especially difficult to defend in the NBA, where he can have range-shooting around him and handle in pick-and-roll with an ability to distribute the ball, put up his own mid-range shots or get to the rim. He also has the shooting range, making nearly 40 percent from deep as a freshman last season, to keep teams from going under screens.

Defensively, he is quick on the ball with length in passing lanes. His lack of strength could be an issue in some matchups.

Teams will also need to evaluate Miller’s role in a fatal shooting in Tuscaloosa, Ala. where police testified that Miller supplied the gun used by former teammate Darius Miles. Miles pleaded not guilty to a capital murder charge. Miller was not charged with any crime.

Scout’s eye view
“He has played at a higher level than the Thompson twins. Showed, as a very young player on the college level, that he can be effective. Shoots it well. Shooting will translate to the NBA. He can also put it on the floor. Instead of being a spot-up, 3-and-D guy, he can be the type when the ball swings and he has a rotator running at him, he can break that guy down and get to the rim or create for his teammates.

“Brandon can be a three/wing type that can create a little more. Offensively, his game is NBA ready. He does things NBA teams are looking for.

“On the defensive end, he’s able to move his feet pretty well. He has great length. He’ll be switchable. I don’t think he is quite as good a rebounder as some of the other guys. His overall package is sort of the modern, NBA wing-type player. I think he’ll be able to plug that in wherever he goes fairly quickly.”

 

Shooting is king in the NBA

I have Miller over Scoot

Especially when it comes to “fit”

 

We should be considering looking at everything from #4 and down.

 

I kinda wondered about this too, so I dug into what Spinella was saying (both in his new video and his write-up). As I expected Black to be outside of Rockets range, I hadn't really looked into him.

I do think he offers some things over Amen Thompson. He's definitely a much better defender (possibly the best perimeter defender in the last few drafts according to Spins, and maybe the best defensive impact outside of Wemby this draft). Watching some clips, I get it. I figured he was primarily using his size and length to make plays, but he's actually sticking with smaller/quicker guards by moving his feet. He's that pesky defender that doesn't let the primary ballhander get comfortable, and if you do beat him, he can probably block you from behind. Also seems good on his rotations, playing the passing lane, staying vertical on shots at the rim, etc. I'm definitely more impressed with him after seeing those things. Amen has similar attributes, but I haven't seen anything like this from him, nor would I expect him to be able to do it. I think Amen will be good, but probably not *that* good.

Offense is more what everyone knows I guess. He does look like a solid playmaker and finisher, but yeah he doesn't seem to have that burst or athleticism to set him apart from others. Perhaps those things are overblown, and since he is so big, it isn't really a big deal. I'd imagine it does lower his ceiling quite a bit regardless. Can't see him being a #1 doing well breaking down defenses in the playoffs, while I could see Amen being able to do that (at least in theory). Like Amen, hit shot sucks, but in a video Spins just did about shooting, I got the impression his mechanics are more workable than Amen. Neither will likely be great, but if you had to bet on one guy ending up decent at shooting, Black might be the guy to go with.

Long story short, I think Black has a higher floor and a more achievable ceiling, but Amen would have a much higher ceiling. We're talking about a high level playmaker (maybe your 2nd or 3rd best player) vs perhaps the best playmaker in the NBA type potential I guess? But yeah if both struggle, Black will likely at least be playable as solid rotation guy, where maybe Amen could end up out of the league (or just barely hanging on).

I think Spins has Amen top 5, though sounds like he also has Black top 5 (he says top 4-6 depending on fit). That feels like a reach to me, but I could be convinced it is worth it. I think he'd probably fit well in HOU, though ideally that would be with JG/Sengun/Jabari/etc all hitting close to their ceilings.

 

We should be considering looking at everything from #4 and down.

I want Miller he will be like Paul George.

 

I actually like Scoot as the better fit, especially since you can probably get some shooters as FA (Cam Johnson, Curry, Ingles, Grant Williams, Jerami Grant, etc.). And you already have guys like Jabari and JG to make shots hopefully. You can't really get an elite playmaker as easily. Plus, as I mentioned elsewhere, I think Scoot probably gets to around league average to possibly above league average at 3pt shooting (though yeah, Miller will possibly be 40%+).

I actually don't want to shortchange Miller either (i.e., he's not *just* a shooter) because I think part of his appeal is he's a decent playmaker for his size. I do have questions about if that can translate to the NBA, though even if it does, on this team, I imagine you'd ideally want to go through JG or Sengun for most playmaking (or Harden/KPJ/etc.). Miller would end up being just a shooter at that point, which he could excel at, but that kinda limits his ceiling IMO (though he'd be a pretty good secondary playmaker I guess, which maybe suits his abilities better).

I'd be happy with either (or another 5-6 guys if I'm being honest), but yeah I'd take Scoot over anyone not named Wemby. Especially for a team that desperately needs a guard who can make a cross court pass to the corner 3.

 

Miller has size and is a good defender

Scoot with KPJ and Green seems like a log jam especially if we throw Sengun in the mix because he needs the ball in his hands as well because he has the ability to have the offense run through him at times.

We need shooting and yes there are options but you don’t want to have to pay a boatload of money at the guys you mentioned.

And I’m hoping KPJ and Green both take a leap into their development of being able to be playmakers in some way shape or form.

 

For me Scoot is just the better prospect, straight up. True #1 option, superstar, primary ballhandler potential, and it won't take long to get there. Miller is more of a #2 guy at best, three-and-D roleplayer at worst.

You have to take the best player, IMO. You don't let need/fit sway you off that, especially for a guy like KPJ who is, a) not a point guard, and b) has more lower upside than Scoot Henderson.

 

If you want to keep KPJ, then yeah there's a logjam. I omitted this from my earlier thoughts, but as I'm not sold on KPJ as a PG*, he'd either become the 6th man or be moved in another deal. Just my preference, though yeah I get what you mean.

The Rockets have to spend money somewhere this summer (especially if they strike out on Harden), so I don't have a problem getting some of those guys (and if they shoot ~40% from 3 and play great defense, it isn't really an overpay IMO).

*I will say if Rockets don't get Scoot/Amen/Black/etc., and they also don't get Harden (or Reaves if you think he can be PG), I do think KPJ might then be the best option as PG (I don't want to pursue FVV or some other guys). That's actually a pretty likely scenario IMO, so if that does happen, hopefully he does take a big leap in his development.

 

He is not anywhere near the athlete PG13 is. He just doesn't have that kind of upside IMO. He's much closer to Danny Granger.