Odds seem good that the Rockets are going to move up in the draft-- with our without Gasol in it. Granted, we can't cover every contingency of who's available or who's been moved by the Rockets, but REALISTICALLY tell us who they should pick with each of the following scenarios: 1. Rockets get Bulls #4 pick: 2. Rockets get NJ's #7 pick: 3. Rockets get Boston's #10 pick: 4. Rockets keep #13 and #18 5. Rockets keep #13 and #23 Please add any side commentary that you feel is necessary to explain your choices to your satisfaction. ------------------ "How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak. Because someday you will have been all of these."
4 Griffin, Brown, Battier, Diop 7 hopefully, Battier or Diop drop....if not JJ or Woods. 10 hopefully Woods or JJ drop, if not best SF or Chandlor 13 Woods or best SF. 18 Tmo 13,23 same as 13 and 18 with a little hope. ------------------
a. = First option, granted that he is available b. = Second option #4 - a. Brown, b. Diop Brown is the best prospect in the entire draft, and could possibly fall to #4 IF the top 3 remains as is. And considering the recent reports about his workouts, I'm starting to get a good feeling about Diop. I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up as the best player in this class, and with his speed, and defensive and rebounding abilities, he could be a great compliment to the Rocks and a contributor as early as this coming season. Unlike 'Kandi, Diop has picked up the game in a short amount of time (granted it was at the prep level), indicating that Diop has some natural ability and feel for the game (something Kandi never seems to have had). #7 - a. White, b. Johnson I've long been a supporter of Johnson and White, so this is a hard choice for me. Because of his post-up game and rebounding, I would go with White over Johnson. However, I would be just as happy seeing JJ in a Rocks uni. #10 - a. Johnson, b. Radmanovic (sp?) Another tough choice, either would fit in wonderfully on the Rocks. JJ wins out because of his ability to swing between the 2 & 3, with a little spot duty at the 1, and operate as a "point F". But I wouldn't be upset AT ALL if they selected "Lil Peja", a potential 20-8 3/4 who can score all over the court. #13 - a. Randolph, b. Jefferson I haven't read a lot of responses about Randolph on the board, but he is a true-blue low-post, rebounding, mobile, big, ox-strong PF. With his size (6'9", 270), he could probably see some time at C on occasion. And could you imagine the Rocks on the break, Francis in the middle, Mobley on one wing and Jefferson on the other. Can you imagine that and Jefferson with a consistent jumper? OH BOY!! #18 - a. Jefferson, b. Hassell Jefferson, enough said. Hassell could be an ideal backup SG and possibly challenge Cat in the future, with his ability to penetrate or hit the outside J. He has nice size (6'5"), good athleticism, and a nice shot and skills set (sound familiar). #23 - a. Wallace, b. Jones Draft a "potential" (and I stress "potential") star swingman and allow him to develop, or take a solid, athletic big man who's ready to contribute? Wallace could be a star or bust, while Jones will most likely be a solid, serviceable C/PF with the ability to develop into a good player, a la Theo Ratliff. I say, take the gamble and bet on Wallace. ------------------
Because so many people seem to think picking tmo would be a waste, I post this again. Battier v. Morris, junior season Morris: 52pts, 32rebs. Battier: 52 pts, 19 rebs. Granted, Morris had a dropoff senior year, and that does matter. But the talent from junior year is still there, and there is much potential for improvement. Morris would be a steal @23. I can't believe he's not at least your second option. ------------------
1. Do everything I can to get Brown(even get higher) or take Diop- You don't get too many chances in a franchise lifetime to draft a potential all-star center. Guards and forwards will be in every draft- Centers are the steal if you're there. 2. Diop- White- Gasol- Johnson in that order 3. @#10??? Pray for Woods Diop or Johnson to fall 4. 13-Woods, Murphy, Jefferson 18- Jefferson this low? If you have Jefferson maybe Steve Hunter (better @ 23) 5. 13- same as above 23- Hunter, TMo, G Wallace or anyone else Rudy wants to surprise us with ------------------
I still don't see the fascination in Terrance Morris. Is it because Francis gave him a vote of confidence? From all the reports you hear, we could get Morris at pick #52 if we had it ------------------
#4- Griffin #7- Joe Johnson #10- Gasol #13 and #18- Woods and Jefferson #13 and #23- Woods and Johnson ------------------ President of the Steve Francis, Jamal Crawford,Larry Hughes, and Charles Woodson fan club.
#4 Sagana Diop; Rodney White #7 Shane Battier; Joe Johnson #10 Loren Woods; Vlad Rad #13/18 Steve Hunter/Zach Randolph OR Vlad Rad/Ken Johnson /23 Kirk Haskins OR Alvin Jones ------------------ "How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak. Because someday you will have been all of these." [This message has been edited by RichRocket (edited June 20, 2001).]
In order... #4- K.Brown, E.Griffen, S.Battier, Diop #7- S.Battier, J.Johnson, R.White, Diop #10- J.Johnson, Diop, L.Woods, Radmanovich #13,18- Woods, Jefferson OR Radmanovich, Jefferson #13,23- Woods, Morris OR Jefferson, Johnson OR Radmanovich, Johnson ------------------ Now saw off...there's nothing to see here.
On Terance Morris, He can defend NBA threes, will probable be a top 10 (maybe top 5) rebounding SF (if he got the minutes), and has a nice shooting stroke. His longness may help in a zone. Has a possibility to become a good weakside shotblocker like Horry. His problems...can't create and gets into foul trouble sometimes. If the Rockets resign Mo T, a rebounding SF that plays defense would be a great pickup for the rockets, not necessarily for other teams that may need some creativity. With Francis and Mobley, it would be nice to have someone that can shoot the three to create spacing and someone that can run on the break. Morris can do these things. Well the three was a little off this year, but that may be a result of being the man at Maryland. ------------------
