If we go for a PF this draft, who's the best fit and attainable for us, Turiaf? Sheldon Williams? Simien? Sean May? or others?
I like Wayne Simien but he seems to have propelled up the mock draft boards out of the Rockets reach. That's what happens when you play well in the tourney. The guy that fell is Hakim Warrick. He's a very athletic player and plays defense and rebounds. Offensively I see him as a liability in the NBA. Charlie Villanueva maybe a better fit. Some analysts think he's soft. I just don't see it. He rebounds and plays solid defense. I beleive he just plays within the system. He is not a good shotblocker but is a good straight up defender.
May said in a press conference after the Villanova game that he was coming back for his senior year. We'd have to suck pretty bad next year to have a chance at him. Shelden would be a dream, but I can't see him falling so far. Guy is a defensive monster, and has a good offensive game. I'm surprised he's not getting more attention
I do not think Roberts is first round talent. He would be a "take a flyer" player in the second round, but I do not think the Rockets have their 2nd round pick for 2005. According to nba draft dot net, the Knicks received our 2nd rounder as compensation for Van Gundy. Not sure if this is true or not, as this has not been discussed from what I know.
I still think if someone like a Francisco Garcia is available they may go that direction. No offense to Bowen, but Garcia reminds me of a similiar type player, but with offensive game.
I would take Simien if I had the chance, but he will go before us for sure. We might actually have a legit shot at Warrick, his athleticism would be a nice addition to this team. But Turiaf seems like our best bet, he had a great season and didn't get a lot of attention, he is a 6'10" PF who did 18 & 9 a game.
i wish shelden williams would come out and be available, but he's going back to duke. he's a lottery caliber player next year and probably this year too. i think he fits the best out of all the PF prospects. turriaf never impressed me in college, not a good defender at all. simien lacks athleticism and size and defense. he's got a very good offensive game from 16 ft. in but doesn't bring much else to the table. may probably won't be available but he doesn't have very good defensive skills either. he's more of a low post offensive guy who can rebound the ball very well. doesn't fit what the rockets need.
He's a hellacious rebounder and a great mid range jump shooter, and a good defender with shot blocking presense?
may is a decent mid range shooter but he lacks height and athleticism at the 4 spot to play defense. the rockets need a defender to take all the pressure off of yao in the middle, may doesn't provide that. the rockets don't need a potential all-star they need a versatile role player.
You're not gonna get all of that in the first round - our best bet is to get 2out of 3 (rebounder, defense/shotblocker) like Warrick. I like Joey Graham a lot, he'd be an undersized powerforward, but he gives you all of those qualities. I wouldn't mind drafting a shooter to eventually replace sura/wesley/barry. Supposedly Dale Ellis' kid is thinking about coming out of HS - he's definitely a first rounder.
You must mean Monta Ellis. Yes, he has declared for the draft. I've read several articles on him and it was never mentioned he was Dale's kid. Since Les Alexander is one of the forces behind the age limit I don't see the Rockets taking a HS player.
How about... Paul Millsap F/C 6-8 235 Sophomore Louisiana Tech (The 2005 National College Rebounding Champ!) Dwayne Jones C/F 6-11 225 Junior Saint Joseph's Deng Gai F 6-9 250 Senior Fairfield (2005 national college shot-blocking champ) Yemi Nicholson C 6-10 240 Junior Denver
Warrick is a poor shooting 3. He cannot possibly defend the post. Graham is a poor man's Artest, a big, muscular 2/3. He isn't a 4 at the NBA level.
