The Rockets talk about Pau Gasol, big men, etc. that they may be looking at in the following excerpt from an article by Jonathan Feigen and the Houston Chronicle : http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/922715 ----------------------------------- Around the league Spanish flavor -- The early suggestion that the Rockets are targeting sweet-shooting 7-1 Spanish forward Pau Gasol for the 13th pick of the draft is not without merit, but it's not terribly likely. The Rockets were linked to Gasol because they had two scouts checking him out two weeks ago. Gasol's season extends to mid-June so he will not be at the Chicago camp and will not be available for individual workouts. But everyone scouts Europe hard now and Gasol is the top draft-eligible player in Europe. Boston general manager Chris Wallace has seen Gasol twice. Atlanta's Pete Babcock made the trek this month. Gasol likely will be a top-10 pick and gone before the Rockets pick unless they trade up. He might have to be a top-five selection for teams to afford the $2 million buyout on the last season of his contract. NBA teams are only permitted to pay $350,000 toward the buyout of the contract beyond the formula for rookie contracts. Draft work -- The Rockets have worked out centers Brendan Haywood, Loren Woods, Michael Bradley, Eric Chenowith and Ken Johnson. But don't read anything into the parade of big men. "They're seniors," Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said. "They didn't release the other list until last week." Teams could not begin setting up visits with underclassmen and high school seniors until that list became official. There is, however, another reason the Rockets have not had Shane Battier or Eddy Curry through the halls of Westside Tennis Club yet. Agents usually don't start the meet and greets for top players with a team picking at No. 10 and beyond. They probably can't set the market for their player that way, but they can try. The top players visit teams at the end of the lottery next month, but they will start with those at the top. As far as the players the Rockets have worked out, Dawson said no one stood out. "They've all done well so far," he said. "Johnson and Chenowith shot the ball better than we thought. Bradley is a good all-around player. Wood was quicker, a good all-around player. They all did well. As we say, they didn't cut themselves." The Rockets are scheduled to work out forward Terence Morris of Maryland, forward Sean Lampley of California, forward Michael Wright of Arizona, forward Jarron Collins of Stanford and forward Brian Scalabrine of USC. ------------------ "If a nuclear bomb dropped on earth, two things would survive: roaches and David Falk." -- Kevin McHale quote courtesy of Patricia Bender's website.
Wow, the Rockets must see something in Lampley and Scalabrine that I don't. I don't think either of those 2 are deserving of the 18th or 22nd pick. Also, Fran Blinebury has been writing some pretty damn good articles for a change. ------------------
TPL dont jinx fran. he might go back to his rockets r as bad as the bulls ways ------------------ --TEX
Wow, I hate when I create topics in which my subject-verb agreement sucks. Anyway, how many of you get the feeling the Rockets are being very secretive about what they're looking for? I know they're not going to come out and say who they're looking to get, but they're not even giving hints as to what they're looking for. It's obvious they'll get a frontline position (or some freak that plays front and backcourt positions), but I'm still trying to figure out if they're zoning in on a true big man, a PF-type player, or a SF. Also, CD didn't drop any clues as to whether they'll be willing to pick up a high schooler or not. ------------------ "Light travels faster than sound, so some people appear to be bright until you hear them speak." -- Brian Williams (now Bison Dele) commenting on Isiah Thomas.
"They're seniors," Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said. "They didn't release the other list until last week." Yet you were taking a peek at Gasol 2 weeks ago? Coincidence? CD's analysis is very strange, IMO-"They've all done well so far," he said. "Johnson and Chenowith shot the ball better than we thought. Bradley is a good all-around player. Wood was quicker, a good all-around player. They all did well. As we say, they didn't cut themselves." Chenowith-He's literally the 2nd coming of Reeves, except at 1/10th of the price. He's known for his 12 foot range. Bradley-translation, doesn't stand out. Woods-Now this one has me stumped, Woods' quickness is well known, I don't think it should surprise them live. Now we come to Ken Johnson, bad offense, great defense, and CD says "shot the ball better than we thought". Big men who can shoot is something CD likes. Big men who can block shots like a mad man and shoot are even better. Could he just be trying to hide that fact among 4 other players? ------------------ "That's been a lifelong dream of mine." -Vince Carter, after laying it in on a breakaway, much to the Vancouver crowd's displeasure. [This message has been edited by NIKEstrad (edited May 27, 2001).]
Although both players actually ended up getting hurt last year, Thomas clearly shows more 'potential' (god, I am beginning to hate that word) of the two. How is that? Thomas didn't even get to play last year... wait until both play before you judge which player has more potential. ------------------ President of the Mo Taylor and Jason Collier fan club! Draftsource.net-- the premier source for draft info. Profiles, rankings, mock drafts, and more!
Cat, That assessment was made by the organization on career stats and game performance. Remeber, at the time Thomas singlehandedly lead his team deep in the dance. This is not me talking. You may recall several statements from the club (CD & RT)regarding the same when Thomas came down to workout and after the draft. ------------------ [This message has been edited by ROCKET!!! (edited May 27, 2001).]
tpl, the Rockets usually work out a wide spectrum of players. The fact that they worked out Scalabrine doesnt mean that they have him targeted at 22, they may have done that just in case they decide to trade down to the 2nd round and conserve cap room. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
I personally like Etan Thomas a lot. He is NOT the reason we are so tight lipped now. Odds are had the Mavs not even traded for the Orlando pick, they would've taken him with their own pick over Alexander. Why? Michael Finley and Hubert Davis. Not to mention the fact he was picked before Alexander. Perhaps CD was hoping ET would slip. But a LOT of people (myself included) had Thomas pegged to go #12 to the Mavs, and several more pegged at 13 to Orlando or whoever they traded the pick to. If CD/RT wanted Thomas that badly, they would've picked him at #9. CD/RT have never been big on the idea that a pick is "too early" for a player they think will contribute solidly. The Rockets have never been big on divulging info to the media, regarding trades or the draft, or free agency. Standard Interview Form: Interviewer: "What did you like about (insert name of player)?" Dawson: "Oh, he looked very good. He's a very solid player and a good kid. He we really liked how he (insert skill that player excels in)." Interviewer: "If he's available, will you draft him?" Dawson: "Right now, we have to analyze all of our options, but (name of player) could definitely be in our plans." ------------------ "That's been a lifelong dream of mine." -Vince Carter, after laying it in on a breakaway, much to the Vancouver crowd's displeasure. [This message has been edited by NIKEstrad (edited May 27, 2001).]
Good point MManal. Also, does Scalabrine's agent have any current Rockets as clients? Could it have been a courtest tryout maybe? I think Rudy and CD like the guy because of his hustle and work ethic, but honestly, he just seems like a taller Brian Cardinal with a slightly better shot. Maybe that's a bit harsh, but that's what I see. ------------------
Dr of Dunk, CD is being tight lipped because they were burned so bad last year. The Rocks desperately wanted Etan Thomas and raved about him pre-draft. All was working even through the trade with the Bucks until the Mavs stepped in and picked Thomas a couple of picks before the Bucks' pick. Hence, we ended up with "the best player" left on the board (Jason Collier. Although both players actually ended up getting hurt last year, Thomas clearly shows more 'potential' (god, I am beginning to hate that word) of the two. This all translates into - we got drilled and CD is not going to let that happen again. I guarantee they already have there list pretty close to set. At this point they are looking at back-up options. The real question is the #18 pick. Is Orlando going to dance with us or not? Are they more interested in screwing an Eastern Conference team (Detroit) or a Western Conference team (Memphis)? Who knows? Is their main concern Webber or the Rocks moving up? That being said, the real question is, What should we do with or two guaranteed picks? This is the subject of a new thread..... out like California electricity... ROCKET!!! ------------------ [This message has been edited by ROCKET!!! (edited May 27, 2001).]
The Rockets are looking for an "impact" player with size from the 13th pick.I think that they are most likely to draft from the following players at the present time unless they are lucky and a player like White or Battier falls to us. 1.Haywood 13th pick. 2.If Haywood is gone then I think they will choose Loren Woods with the 13th pick. 3.Michael Bradley if they get the 18th pick. 4.Richard Jefferson is probably their 2nd choice with the 18th pick,and Troy Murphy their 3rd choice with this pick. 5.Ken Johnson 22nd pick. 6.Terrance Morris 2nd choice with the 22nd pick. The chances of the Rockets trading down to take a second rounder as well as a future first round pick is also looking quite likely if they don't get the players in the draft that they are looking for. ------------------
