Houston Rockets Team Report posted JUNE 8, 2000 Print it! By TSN correspondent Michael Murphy Houston Chronicle Like everyone else in the league, the Rockets are gearing up for the draft, bringing in a slew of prospects in for a look-see. The Rockets are looking almost exclusively for frontcourt help, so they've brought in mostly centers and small forwards. Among the center-types they've brought in are guys like 7-1 Joel Pryzbilla, 6-11 Axel Dench, 7-2 Primoz Brezec, 7-2 Soumaila Samake, 7-0 Jason Collier and 7-0 Dan Santiago. Brezec (from Slovenia) and Dench (Australia via Gonzaga) are second-rounders, while Santiago probably won't be drafted. The most intriguing of the bunch is Samake, who is from Mali and is the son of a farmer. The bio says he's 22 (yeah, sure), but the guy can apparently play the game. And the rest of his bio is remarkably similar to Hakeem Olajuwon's. He was a soccer goalie who didn't pick up the game until he was a teenager. The soccer experience has given Samake solid footwork to go with his good on-court instincts. Former Rocket Ralph Sampson, who was coaching the Richmond team in the International Basketball League, watched Samake play for the Cincinnati Stuff and liked what he saw. "His upside is tremendous if he wants to work at it," Sampson said. "He needs to be in better condition. He needs to get stronger. But he's just beginning and just scratching the surface of what the possibilities are." Samake has played professionally in Slovenia before landing in the IBL, and Sampson seems to think the guy is a first-rounder. "He has a tremendous touch," Sampson said. "He plays like a 6-7 guy. If he develops some multi-dimensional post moves, he can be unstoppable." But right now, Samake seems like a luxury. A more reasonable pick might be Jerome Moiso, a rangy 6-11 athlete from UCLA who can play small forward. Some compare the lithe lefty to Marcus Camby, but Moiso has a better outside shot and likes to face up to the basket. "He has the ability to play inside and outside," said NBA draft guru Chris Monter. "He's a good athlete who runs the floor well. He needs to get stronger and be more aggressive. However, he has worked out well and figures to be a lottery pick." Yeah, he needs to improve his defense, rebounding and passing, but what rookie (other than Tim Duncan) doesn't? ------------------ Well blow me down-popeye
Samake is a toothpick. He's got next to nothing on offense. It'll take him 3-4 years to develop. Interesting-Everyone was knocking Camby for lack of outside shot, yet they still knock Moiso, similar to Camby, but WITH an outside shot. Lefties are good. ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
Leftys are bad..and I mean that in a good way . ------------------ Houston Rockets Forever!! In Rudy We Trust
If Samake is selected with our 38th pick, I would be happy. I can definitely see him going in the secound round and Olajuwon will help train him. Only thing is, does Samake have the "eye of a tiger"? That may be one of the few distinct differences between the two. [This message has been edited by DaneB (edited June 08, 2000).]
I've come to the realization that I want a long athletic guy who has outside game.....of course I'd prefer a Martin, Swift, or Fizer....but I'm left thinking Moiso. I want a thoroughbred and I really think we should at least give Cato another year. He could average 12-15 a game on dunks alone. Hopefully CD can refine his game and make this talk of a 7 footer moot. ------------------
How is CD going to refine Cato's game when he is attending summer school at Iowa State? I think Cato has a bad work ethos, and would get rid of him while there is still interest. DaDakota ------------------
Hmmm... Does anybody else see the contradiction? The implication is that going to school is not work. I give Cato credit for taking care of his after basketball future in the offseason. Now if Cato come into preseason camp over weight and out of shape, then that is another story. ------------------
Cato will have millions in the bank long after he is done in the NBA. He needs to work on his game.....I hope he is. ------------------
