ClutchFans Rockets Draft Thread (Rockets select Luther Head at 24)

while nate is on another level athletically, hes only 5'9. I dont think he could ever be a starting pg and we already have a good backup in MJ so i dont really see why we would need him.. but if we were to have a mid to late 2nd round pick i wouldnt be against picking him. Also i hope we dont get Head at 24 because i have a feeling he will be around later so lets try and get an early 2nd round pick and see if we can nab him there.

 

A sound strategy for sure but the problem with that scenario is that this team does not have the luxury of essentially coming away from yet another draft empty handed. They have nothing tangible to show for the last 4 drafts save for yao and his was a no brainer pick. From the last 2 drafts all they have to show is 2 guys over in Europe who are long shots at best but neither can be considered ready to help now. Adding another body to that list does NOTHING to even begin to address the competitive gap they face with the Spurs, Mavericks, Suns and so on. IMHO, if they trade down to the 2nd round - given their pathetic history of spotting talent - then this draft will be another bust.

 

I really like Stoudamire too, but gone at 24? He's slated to go 2nd round in every mock draft I've seen (albeit not many) -- and I haven't heard too much buzz about his stock rising..

 

1998: Michael Dickerson, Bryce Drew, Mirsad Turkcan
1999: Kenny Thomas
2000: Jason Collier
2001: Eddie Griffin
2002: Yao Ming,Bostjan Nachbar

In those 5 years, the rockets had 10 first round draft picks when you consider they gave up 3 1st rounders to get Eddie Griffin. And the only one they really hit on was the number 1 pick they had where intense scouting wasn't as necessary. But the draft record overall the last 6-7 years is embarassing. I wouldn't get my hopes up tommorrow for the player the rockets get. While the draft can be exciting and fun to watch0, when its over, i would advise everyone to temper their expectations for whoever the rockets choose.

 

I'm not going to act like the Rockets have one of the best scouting departments in the game because they don't, but at pick 24, you need to temper your expectations no matter what team picks it. Too many fans carry that NFL draft mentality that a first round pick will automatically be a key contributor. The reality of the NBA draft is that once you get outside of the top 7-10 picks, it becomes a crapshoot and the odds of finding even a decent rotation player (much less a starter) are 50-50 at best. Dickerson was a more than solid 14 pick before he ran into injuries. Thomas was a real find for a pick in the 20s. Collier, Nachbar, Drew and Turkcan (15, 15, 16, 18) all sucked, but given their draft positions, it's not like it's embarassingly bad. When you look back historically at the draft picks at those spots, you'll find a whole lot of complete stinkers. That said, it still doesn't excuse the Griffin debacle, since that was at a pick where you should always expect production.

We haven't added much excitement in recent years through the draft, but unless you're consistently picking in the top 10 you shouldn't expect to (unless you have an excellent scouting system like the Spurs/Mavs). We aren't at that level, but I don't think we're embarassingly bad either.

 

For the talk that Griffin was a major bust, the reward outweighed the risks at the time. If you go back to see the 2001 draft, you have Murphy, Jefferson, Randolph, Parker, Radmonovich who shined. And at the time when Griffin had generaly been viewed as the # 1 pick, I would still make the Griffin selection. Of course without the knowledge he is probably clinically insane!!!


But, the previous was just to illustrate a point. The Rockets haven't had great luck with the Draft, but there are teams that are consistently in the Lottery and still can't get the talent to join the playoff teams. Look at Golden State, the Clippers, the Hawks, the Grizzleys before Hubie, etc.

Even without the great picks, the Rockets have been able to put a winning or competitive club the last couple of years.

At the 24th pick the odds of getting a great players aren't high. In fact if the Rockets happen to get a good rotation player with their history and that of the league; then this would have been the 2nd best draft in since 2000. Of course the Yao Ming pick is at the top of the list. Let's not get carried away with the Draft.

 

I saw, in the ESPN Draft Preview show, that they featured this Euro-player who they said would go in the 20's and would dramitically help a playoff contender.

He looks pretty good and would be a nice pickup for the Rockets.

His name is Mickaël Gelabale.

6'7 SF, athlete, jump out of the gym, good slashing skills, REAL good defender.

Compared to Bruce Bowen but with better offense.

 

24th pick - Francisco Garcia, SG, Louisville

*Then we sign Chris Anderson, PF to be our starter alongside Yao.....In fact, I just have a gut feeling The Roxs and Anderson already have a "handshake deal" in place.....

 

I hope you're right. I'm big on Andersen.

 

Garcia would be a solid pick at #24, but I think someone will take him before we get a chance.

As for Anderson, we would be in a lot of trouble if we was our starter next season. And plus, I have a gut feeling that we have a "handshake deal" with Swift.

 

Anderson seems to have exactly what the team needs: the passion to do the dirty work! He doesn't need to score, not with T-Mac and Yao providing that. We just need him to bang, rebound, bang, rebound.....I hope I'm right, too...

 

Swift has off-the-charts athleticism BUT his lack of production and seemingly lack of heart worries me. The reason I really like Anderson for the team is because he'll do the dirty work AND love it! I think he could be a Poor Man's Dennis Rodman for us sans the drama......

Can't wait to find out tomorrow about our pick. Garcia has a sweet jumper and would look great on Rocket red.....

 

anderson is terrible. get over him.

 

agreed...

It's looking more and more like the Rockets are taking Head...even if they don't, I just have a feeling CD will reach ala Roderick Rhodes, and we'll be spending the summer trying to figure out what he was thinking. I'm sure Taft, Simien and/or even Diagu will be on the board - Clutchfans goes crazy - and boom - "the Houston (pronounced "Huzton" by Stern) Rockets select Kennedy Winston/Luther Head/Filberto Rivera/Matt Walsh"

 

Andray Blatche

If you don't expect to get someone who can help that much immediately, why not go for a guy who might be great in 3 years?

 

Disagreed.

He's about as athletic as Stromile Swift but without any of the drama or character concerns. He has no ego. He doesn't need to score. He plays defense and throws his body around. We're not talking Ryan Bowen here. Chris Anderson is a FREAK athlete who runs the floor well and can jump out of the building.

I pray to all things Holy though that CD doesn't find a way to ruin this draft though. I have absolutely no confidence in CD whatsoever, so while I hope for the best, I am expecting the worst....


"The Rockets trade the 24th pick to Atlanta for Tyronn Lue and a 2nd round draft pick...."


Or something along those lines!

 

Hey man, quit gravytraining my pick.

 

AAAAARGH.

Can this day go any slower??????

 

I would love to pick up a guy like Blatche, if he is still on the boards. He's an athletic 7-footer that can play SF/PF/C. He has a nice jumper, which can go all the way out to 3-pt land.