If, by some act of God, we land the #1 pick, do we pick the best player available or the player with the most upside ? Battier or Curry/Griffin ? Keep this in mind. We have a decent shot at C-Webb, and if we land him, we may be contenders instantly. I know it's impossible to land C-Webb before the draft, but would he influence your decision ? ------------------ "norm, would you like to buy an indian scalp ? This deal isn't gonna make or break me Norm, so don't jerk me around." Harry Carey "Norm, if I had a mohawk scalp, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you."
IMO, CWebb is irrelevant. The team will look to bring back Mo Taylor, so they should be primarily focusing on need: Battier, White or Jefferson (though the difference between Battier and the other two is astronomical as far as need goes) and then big man potential. Most of the big men are unproven. Though draft workouts are alot more salient than media summaries and our conjecture, if we had the first pick, I'd like to see either Curry, Diop or Battier become a Rocket. That could be via immediate pick, or by trading down. ------------------ It only costs $180.00 to have a couple of mullets yell in your ear.
If we get C-Webb, then I'd want to have a really smart player from the draft who has his head on straight. Battier. Of course, Achebe is right. Probably Mo will be back. So we must have rebounding and defense at the 3 & 5. Going for need, I still say Battier. If Rudy can deal with a head case, Griffin. But landing these players would require luck in drawing one of the top 3 or trading up....a possibility, considering the depth of the draft (swingmen and centers) that is nevertheless missing a certain Chinese center and Dukie point guard. ------------------ [This message has been edited by ROXTXIA (edited April 10, 2001).] [This message has been edited by ROXTXIA (edited April 10, 2001).]
I think it's almost a given that Curry will be the #1 selection...I can't think of anybody else that would give Chicago (or whoever drafts first) a reason NOT to pick him. I was bit skeptical about the "baby shaq" comparisons at first, but after watching him play some more in the last couple weeks, I think he can make an immediate impact with whoever is fortunate enough to get him. He's not quite as big as Shaq, but he has a real nice touch around the basket, something you couldn't have even said about Shaq when he first came out. So, obviously, if we were somehow able to land the #1, he'd be our man. ------------------ P.S. This is what part of the alphabet would look like if Q and R were eliminated.
I agree with Roxtia. If the Rockets do think they can make a run with Webber (hypothetical in that they know they will sign Webber), then they go with a heady player that can contribute now. A Chandler may have the most upside, but can he help the Rockets next year ? Prempeh, do you think Curry can contribute next year ? I'm not so sure. He doesn't seem to have alot of intensity in him. A gentle giant type of guy. ------------------ "norm, would you like to buy an indian scalp ? This deal isn't gonna make or break me Norm, so don't jerk me around." Harry Carey "Norm, if I had a mohawk scalp, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you."
I don't think Battier is #1 pick material. Maybe in the 1st 5, but really good centers only come along every once in awhile. At least that's been that way up until now. I think Curry will be the # 1 pick and should be if the Rockets were to have it. Also, Chandler and Diop will probably go in the 1st 5. I'm assuming Ming won't be in this year's draft. ------------------
I think Curry can in fact contribute next year. He wouldn't be a starter, but based on what I've seen lately (they played some high school all star game yesterday), Curry's body is fully developed and he has a soft touch around the basket. He could get 15-20 minutes right away, if the coach was willing. Personally, if I had the #1, I'd trade down. Look what Orlando got for trading down just 2 slots-Penny Hardaway (he was good once upon a time) and 3 first round picks. Trade down to 4 or 5 and get rid of Cato or Walt and pick up a decent roleplayer to go with the pick. Or, for example, trade the #1/Cato to Boston for Tony Battie, #10, and #11 and starch (would Eric Williams exercise his player option) along with a future pick. ------------------ "That's been a lifelong dream of mine." -Vince Carter, after laying it in on a breakaway, much to the Vancouver crowd's displeasure.
Yeah, gr801 I really do think he can contribute...now I can't say about Chandler and Diop because I haven't really seen them play, but Curry really impresses me in a way the other center prospects like Haywood and Woods don't--and that is in being quick and decisive with the ball. If you ever watch Haywood and Woods when they get it into the post there's this kind of hesitation, whereas with Curry he hauls the ball in, and makes a strong, confident move...nothing fancy, just a power dribble here and dropstep there...but it works, and with his touch that's about all he needs. As for his apparent lack of intensity...where in his play have you seen that? I'm not challenging you in this assertion, I just want to know if there have been some instances where he was lazy, or walked up and down the floor, that you have seen...which the couple times I saw him play I really didn't catch, at least not compared to the rest of the players on the court (all the all-star games are pretty ragged). I think sometimes people mistake a lack of intensity for just a laid back personality--if you want lack of intensity, see Kelvin Cato...but unlike that 6 foot 11 waste already on our roster, Curry will show up in the box score with more than just a block and a few fouls...I wouldn't be surprised to see Curry put up 15 and 8 in his rookie year. ------------------ P.S. This is what part of the alphabet would look like if Q and R were eliminated.
I've heard about Curry's "lack of intensity". The explanation I've heard about this was he's just bored with his competition which makes sense. It's hard to play tough against a bunch of guys you're a hundred times better than. I'd be thrilled to death if we got Curry. He's not like the typical big man coming out of college, he's not skin and bones like Woods or the other highschoolers. He just looks like a star. ------------------ Thoughts?
Nike, I'm not wild about Williams and Battie. On our roster (presuming we got the 10 and 11) they would be bench material. I think going from #1 to out of the top 5 is a bit pricey, even though that includes dumping Cato. Curry, I don't know about. I watched the Fox sports thing every night, but would could that tell me ? He does seem laid back though. BTW, did anyone catch that show this afternoon ? Kleckner and his friends are idiots, simply playing to the camera. Man, I wasn't like htat in high school. ------------------ "norm, would you like to buy an indian scalp ? This deal isn't gonna make or break me Norm, so don't jerk me around." Harry Carey "Norm, if I had a mohawk scalp, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you."
