With all the talk about Juwan Howard's absence and the attention of the huge hole we have at PF, I'm looking ahead and hope that the Rockets can solve this future problem at the draft instead of free agency. This will be a deep draft for PF. Rockets should try to draft young and get one of these guys: Chris Taft, Wayne Simien, Hakim Warrick, Ronny Turiaf, Channing Frye. Top international PF prospects include: Johan Petro (France), Tiago Splitter (Brazil), Fran Vazquez (Spain).
Interesting topic ... I wonder why no one else has discussed this in other threads? http://bbs2.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=92656 http://bbs2.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=93795 http://bbs2.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=93622 http://bbs2.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=93545 http://bbs2.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=93544
There's also some fella named Badiane who plays in Germany. Maybe we can try him ... or at least start a thread about it.
Almost every single player you named will be selected before we get to them, except for Turiaf maybe. Wayne Simien would be my pick if I had my choice, he seems like he would be able to come in and help out right away.
Anything can happen on draft day, hopefully one of those guys might slip down to us. Warrick is an interesting player. He's an athletic freak who is long and rebounds very well for his build. He seems like he would be a good fit for us, but I wonder if he can handle playing PF in the NBA.
I have said this before (in one of those threads) and I will say it again we are going SF in the draft either a SG/SF or a SF/PF - Tmac needs a real backup that can develop. Howard is still under contract, and I think JVG would rather address the PF position through free agency Wesley and Barry are older, so it makes sense
If Sean May decides to enter, he's slated to likely play at PF instead of C given is size. Although the Rockets won't have much chance of picking him up, he'll push some of the others further down hopefully within the Rockets reach. Also if the international players make another big splash as early round picks, I think that Turiaf or Simeon may be within reach. All's fair in the draft.
Here's some good info links on the top international PF prospects for those interested in looking: Johan Petro - http://nbadraft.net/petrointerview.asp Tiago Splitter - http://www.nbadraft.net/profiles/tiagosplitter.asp Fran Vazquez - http://www.draftcity.com/viewprofile.php?p=23
if that 20 year rule gets pushed through (or is even rumored to go through) this draft will be deep because all the 18 and 19 year olds will declare instead of waiting 1-2 more years !
I know Hakim Warrick will be gone but what about Hack-em Warrick? I saw him on the news the other day and he looks like a blue chipper.
While that makes sense, I think they will probably just go with the best player available scenario. The one thing about this team is that we could use a young backup athlete at every position. -With Wesley's and Barry's age, we could use a young shooter. -A young backup for TMac is much needed. -A young, athletic PF from the draft would be great. -A backup for Yao is needed as well (assuming Deke retires). I'm actually excited about this year's draft. I would like to see the Rockets trade up, too bad we don't have anything teams want except future picks.
