So far, there are 3 guards/forwards that I think would fit our team and see some time on the floor in their rookie years. 1. Derrick Byars His stock has gone way up since the tourney. He's an all around player who does everything well but nothing really stands out. He can shoot the 3, defend, run and jump, but he wont ever be a dominant player. Probably the most versatile player in the draft in that he can play the 2 and 3 and has some point guard skills. Ball handling is his biggest weakness. Could backup Shane and TMac if they get tired or in foul trouble. 2. Morris Almond We are desperate for some bench scoring and Almond can light it up from outside and midrange. His defense is his downfall and that may keep him from seeing any playing time. Could work well with him and Shane with TMac on the bench so Shane can guard the better scorer. 3. Aaron Afflalo A real JVG player. Defends and is very poised with a high basketball IQ. Gives us an outside shooter with a polished midrange game. Some question his athleticism, but in our offense, athleticism isnt a big factor. He hasn't shown up in big games, but he won't need to be the #1 option in the NBA, so maybe that will ease the pressure on him.
Rudy Fernandez <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dXAucLSrYv8"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dXAucLSrYv8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object> Nothing much interesting in this video they're mostly wide open dunks but there's a nifty one at the 2:23 mark.
I think he can dunk... I read the biggest knock on his game is defense and ball handling, which will earn him a spot next to v-span at the end of the bench. it's hard to image JVG taking a project like rudy fernandez if there is a finished product like byars or almond (and especially law) on the board. the kid does look athletic though I will give you that
If Fernandez is all he's hyped up to be, no way he's there at our spot. Rush is probably not a JVG type, with rumors of him being lazy and unmotivated. He has alot of talent, but he might not be a fit here.
Yeah, it's still way too early to predict. I'm just going by nbadraft.net's mock draft. They're usually the most accurate but it's only after the pre-draft workouts when their mock is clearer. Though I don't think Fernandez is that hyped that much, his 16 year old teammate Ricky Rubio however... The Best Basketball Player You’ve Never Heard Of sounds like he is going to be better than LeBron <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7Z7xVT5tWBI"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7Z7xVT5tWBI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object> <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/c29ii3McOYI"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/c29ii3McOYI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
I'm all for getting a good wingman in the draft who could contribute offensively and can play D off the bench...We can get our bckup PG in the free agency and make a trade for a serviceable PF (maybe we could pry Kenyon Martin if he could make a McDyess like comeback)
I don't know where the lazy/unmotivated label comes from. All the Rushes (Jaron, Kareem, Brandon) were known coming out of high school to be scorers. It turned out that the elder Rushes were both just one-dimensional; nothing except scorers. Brandon took a lesser offensive role on the KU team while vastly improving his defense. If anything, I think he'd be a great JVG type; kind of like a Luther Head, overlooked because he's playing with some great teammates.
Considering the Free Agent List for this coming offseason, I think the Rockets would be best served going after a PF then a Guard. Remember that a PF for the Rockets needs to be a good rebounder, physical, smart defensively (for rotations) and hit a mid-range jumper. Even a slightly taller Chuck Hayes would be good. Free Agent Guards for under the MLE: Mo Peterson Matt Carroll Deshawn Stevenson Ime Udoke Charlie Bell Top PF who should be available: Josh McRoberts (possibly around) 6'-10" : 230lbs. - Was a top pick coming into the year, but has fallen off. Good BBall IQ, nice range, and defends. Better as a role player than as the focal pt. Rocket Slant: Should have no problem picking up the defensive and offensive systems; JVG (if around) could actually play him his rookie year. Needs to add strength. Not a go-to player; will have trouble creating on his own. Might have trouble against stronger more physical PFs. But his mid-range and even 3 pt game will help when Yao or T-Mac are double teamed. Herbet Hill 6-10 : 240 - Made a huge leap this past year. Good rebounder, and plays with energy. Has a mid-range jumper. Rocket Slant: Hustle will not be an issue; which is a big deal to JVG. Somewhat of a gamble, since he has only put together one good year. Its either a fluke year or a turning point. He is a great shot blocker (avg 2.9 blocks last season), which is an area that is nonexistent in our PF position. (He is my preferred pick) Glen Davis 6-9 : 290 - Broad shoulders but with a good touch around the rim. Weight an issue. Good rebounder, and will not get pushed around in the paint by opposing big men. Rocket Slant: Another player with a weight issue! But his size and touch are a great combination to add next to Yao. He can set some nice screens for T-Mac.
Trade 1st Rounder + Luther Head for Acie Law. Acie Law will complete our starting five, will shut up all of the ROHs clamoring to trade Rafer. Luther Head is terrific, but you have to give up something good to get something good. Acie is very, very good (the best PG prospect in the draft - yes, better than Conley), but he lacks the upside that players like Oden, Durant, Wright, Brewer, and Horford exude/ooze. A lot of early entry kids declared for the draft, dropping Acie. Plus, since the Aggies went out earlier in the tourney, Acie was a victim of out-of-sight-out-of-mind, which is bad for him but good for the Rockets. Acie is the very definition of clutch and go-to player if there ever was a definition. T-Mac/Adidas connection notwithstanding, we're not gonna have a snowball's chance in hell of getting Billups. That being said, Acie is probably better than 80% of the PGs in the L. There's no way we could overpay (in a trade) for him. He's a championship-level PG. I really don't know what else to say. Get him, and try to pick-up a veteran PF willing to take a paycut.
