Sean Williams sounds a lot like the future Eddie Griffin. No, actually he's worse. He got KICKED off his team halfway through his Junior season? Low work ethic and commitment to basketball. Hmm..
We need to pick a scorer, a shooter, the Rockets have none, other than T-Mac and Yao. That´s why we need to draft someone like Morris Almond, Rudy Rodriguez or Daequan Cook. They can score on their own, not only wait for a pass on the 3 pt line. Scorers are the hardest to find. Almond and Rodriguez are scoring machines and Cook ghas incredible potential, he will be very good in this league. I would only take a Point if Crittenton is available, else I would try to get one through a trade of Free Agency, or simply give V-Span a chance. A banging Power Forward can be easily found through Free Agency, example Jamal Magloire who shouldnt cost more than the MLE or Jamal Sampson who´s a great rebounder with great size at 6'11 and would cost only about $700 K. So basically draft an SG (Almond, Rodriguez or Cook) or PG only if Crittenton is available. Find a Free Agent PF. Also, there´s alaways the chance we could sign Steve Francis if he is bought out, that would be our staring PG right there. Conclusion, WE NEED SCORERS. I got tired of watching the series against the Jazz where no one besides Yao or T-Mac could score on their own. They were all standing like idiots waiting for a pass to shoot the ball.
I agree that we need some scorers, but they don't have to have the ability to create their own shots. We need guys who will make the other team pay when they collapse on Yao or T-mac. The Jazz's strength was that they had 5 players on the court who could put the ball in the basket, but other than Deron and Boozer none could created their own shot on a consistant bases. But due to their athletism, an offensive system could be ran in which the other 3 players could get open looks. Our PF is the weakest offensive position on the team and yet it is one of the most important positions since Yao and T-mac command attention in the paint (when T is driving to the rim). Also the opposing PF provides primary defensive help in any type of rotation when playing the Rockets since a defender should never be leaving Yao. If you could have two big men who can finish above the rim in the paint, our inside game would be money. Not to mention an improved paint defense. I believe that a PF with a brain (unStromilish) is easier and quicker to develop than a swingman or PG.
What is our draft position? I'm seeing on NBADraft.net that we are #26. But it's showing Utah at #25! How the hell is that possible?
The biggest question in the draft is which flawed prospect are we looking at. At 26 there is not going to be a come in and start right away and bring you to the next level guy for the most part. So we have two options trade up, Looking at it Phoenix might be rebuilding if they do not win the title and might be willing to give up thier lower or lowest pick for cash, or to get lucky. I want to avoid guys that do not have real determination, (Marcus Williams I am looking at you directly) Guys that super slow, (Aaron Gray Kyle Visser ring any bells), guys that have major off the court issues, (Sean Williams which is a shame because if he could keep it together that guy would be great for the team.), guys who are described as not quick but crafty at the guard spot, (Adam Huluska is the first guy I can think of in this spot.), smaller then the average for thier position, (Carl Landry, Sean Singletary, I am tempted to put Jared Dudley here but until he is measured I will not mostly because I think he has the wingspan to play bigger.) So who do I want? That really depends on who is there ask after the 18th of June. Fierguard
dudley is an interesting prospect. he is somewhat undersized but is tough as nails and has all around skill (pass, shoot with some range, etc).
Morris Almond 1) NBA ready body with good size and frame 2) Can score effectively and has 3 point range 3) Mid range game and jumpshot is good 4) Excellent rebounder likes to uses his body 5) High basketball IQ http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/morrisalmond.html
Derrick Byars - he'd be great for us if he fell to 26, but i doubt it. <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SJ4R-U65xcM"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SJ4R-U65xcM" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
Derrick is projected to be drafted in the second round. If he goes before us, then that means someone else may have dropped to us... which would be great.
He's currently projected to be a secound round pick by Draft Express (they've had the most accurate mock draft for the past two years now.) There's the chance he could be a workout wonder but chances are that he'll fall around where we're picking.
Draft Express's mock has never been that accurate because they guess team needs in their selections. The mock which has been the most accurate for the past several years including the last two is NBAdraft.
Looks like Almond or Williams might go to the Knicks: http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap/ Morris Almond On Knicks' Radar The New York Post has learned one sharpshooter on the Knicks' radar should they keep the No. 23 pick is Rice University senior shooting guard Morris Almond, who will work out for the team in June. "Almond's game is very similar to Allan Houston's," one NBA personnel director said. "He's probably the best outside shooter in the draft." Scoring small forward Marcus Williams (Arizona) is another possibility at No. 23.
I would like to know ESPN's Rockets' choice in their mock draft. I don't have access to ESPN Insider.
