http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2005/columns/story?id=2083819 Story on ESPN that mentions the Arizona State junior forward and the teams he has been working with. Diogu was a second-team All-American and was one of the most prolific scorers in the country last season. He averaged 22.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks a game
He is more skilled and more explosive than Rose. Maybe if you split the difference between Rose and Brand. Love to find a way to move up and get him. Excellent brains (on/off court) and character guy.
I think it'd be smart to move to the 19th slot and take Ike there. CD should consider a Sura+24th+future 2nd for bonzi and the 19th. I dunno if Memphis would actually do that but i think they want to get rid of Bonzi and they might just take this deal. There are some teams picking behind Memphis like Phoenix and Sacramento that are looking at Ike hard also so i think we should be safe and move up and select Ike there. He'd be our new smaller version of Cato but who's heart, hustle, and determination remind me of Ben Wallace. And supposedly, he and Taft worked out for the Clippers and played 1 on 1. Ike was destroying him and never let up and eventually made Taft quit. That's the kind of player that Yao needs standing by his side.
diogu is #1 on my wish list. he is also #2 and #3. simien, garcia, winston, fernandez, turiaf are all good too.
Nice list. The only one I don't really like is Garcia on that list, nothing against him personally, just don't think he's what Rockets need.
while the #1 need on the rockets is a defensive pf with good range followed by a pass-first pg the need to get taller and more athletic on the wings is also a need. the dallas series proved it with whoever wesley was guarding usually posted him up or drove on dave. garcia reminds me of a shorter (garcia is still 6'7 or 6'8 believe) tayshaun prince, deceptively long and quick. he has a very good feel for the game, he may not become as effective of a defender like prince but he has a much more complete offensive game. if diogu,simien are taken at 24 and the rockets pick up garcia i wouldnt be too disappointed at all.
I have watched Garcia played. Frankly he has not impressed me as much as the other guys. IMO, he's a tad slow defensively, a streaky shooter, bulked up more, still got a lot to learn. Frankly should be stayed in school and improved his skills before going to the pro. Definitely not worth #24 pick.
Hmmm...Memphis is trying to move into the lower lottery and Ike is one of their targets. I also don't think Garcia is a good fit for the Rockets. I think Hodge is a better fit.
Can someone help me out here? Why does seemingly every early entry basketball player talk about wanting to be in the lottery or top 15 as their determining factor in whether they stay in the draft or withdraw and go back to school, Europe, etc? Only a few seem to say anywhere in the first round is acceptable. I get that: 1. First rounders are guaranteed. 2. Top 15 means more money. 3. Euro's usually need bigger dollars for buyouts. What I don't get: 1. All first rounders guaranteed, not just top 15. 2. Lottery teams are usually rebuilding, transitioning, or just plain crappy(Clippers, Hawks, etc). 3. The 20's teams are usually top flight contenders, contenders, or ready to contend and needing a piece or two. So, unlike NFL draftees, why are NBA draftees so enamored by the idea of getting picked high in the draft and ending up with the Hawks, Clippers, Raptors, Warriors, etc? And, unlike NFL draftees, why are NBA prospects so depressed at the thought of going in the 20's and winding up with the Spurs, Heat, Pistons, Rockets, Mavs, Suns, etc? Do these guys think a bottom of the draft guy like Tony Parker is saying, "my career sucks, I signed a huge extension for big bucks with a team about to win title 3, my 2nd, primed to win more...I'd trade all of this if only I could've been a lottery pick." Does anyone else think that these guys should be absolutely thrilled at the prospect of going lower, but to better teams versus more money, but risking ending up with loser franchises that always suck and are always in the lottery?
Official measurements from the draft camp Name Height Height (w/ shoes) Weight (lbs) Wingspan Reach Diogu, Ike 6' 6½" -----6' 8" ----255.4 -------7' 3½" ---9' 1" http://bbs06.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=97591
My best explanation would be a projected lottery pick may slide, but he won't slide entirely out of the first round mostl likely. Someone projected for the 20s could easily become a second rounder. Also, going to a good team is a double-edged sword. You can be with a winning organization, which is nice, but it'll be harder to get playing time so you won't be as likely to be able to show your stuff and earn the big contract. Plus, the vanity of being a high pick. But, I know what you're saying; getting drafted low ain't too shabby (unless of course, the Hawks have acquired a second first rounder from the Spurs...).
I would roll the dice and pick up Simien. He will be our starting forward after a year behind Juwan Howard. When Howard's contract expires, or we do a S&T to give another team cap space, Simien will be primed for starting duty. End of Season Projected Rox (05/06): James/Sura Wesley/Barry T-Mac/Bowen Simien/Howard Yao/Mutumbo We have to risk something for the big payoff. Simien could be the "Big Payoff"!
Because unlike the NFL, how many guys picked in the low 20's really do step right into the starting lineup? Sure there are plenty of sucess stories like a Josh Howard or a Tony Parker, but more often than not, these guys have to spend their time on the bench early on or not even make the rotation. On the other hand, in the NFL, every team has so many needs that you routinely plug 3rd rounders into your starting lineup. Like JuanValdez said, it's also just too big a risk to fall completely out of the 1st round if you're a fringe 1st rounder. Every year you have those college upperclassmen projected to go in the 1st round fall into the 2nd round because of the influx of HSers and foreign players. You just can't risk it if you're an underclassmen - that's millions of dollars of guaranteed money. And finally, as far as playing for a loser organization, most young guys coming in think they are going to take the league by storm and turn the franchise around. They learn pretty quickly that that's not the case.
WOW, I'm getting really high hopes now that we may have a young guy come in a play a few mins. under JVG.. we'll see if JVG is as bad as some say at bring up the rookies.. I dont know crap about college ball, but I know the name Simien so I hope he's good enought to back up someone at the 4..
If the Rocks start bringing in PF's for workouts, then you can bet they are NOT going to draft a PF. CD is always playing games with who he really wants. We must be drafting a PG. That would fit with this workout.....
Interesting! I have been hearing that Memphis is looking to trade or sell the pick to Cleveland. Will anyone bulge for Swift (unsigned) and the 19th Pick for a lottery pick??? Would Ike want to come off the bench with Gasol starting??? I don't think so.
