http://blogs.chron.com/nba/2007/06/feeling_the_draft_almond_joy.html June 26, 2007 The Rockets have a deal in place to move up, maybe two, if things fall just right. But how often do things fall just right? Most teams go into the draft with agreements to move up or back, contingencies to consider depending on the way things go. Usually, only a handful happen. Rockets GM Daryl Morey said on Tuesday that although he has worked to find ways to improve the Rockets' draft position, and that there could be some opportunities, the Rockets will much more likely pick right where they are: No. 26. And at No. 26, they will choose the best player they can get. But this is too good a draft to be left out of the anticipation, or to limit the options to consider to whatever will be left after 25 teams choose. This is one of those rare drafts with two franchise-caliber players and even that rarest of commodity, a superstar center. It's a draft that had us talking during the NBA Finals, though that might have something to do with a Finals that no one thought could go any other way. So after all this time thinking of so many players, we didn't want to limit the debate to the guys left for the last five picks of the first round, though we'll get to that, too. Instead, ignoring the problems with the, here are the picks we like should the Rockets move up. If they get into the top 10 (they won't), or more specifically, to six through 10, looking at the guys expected to be there, well, they all look pretty great for a team picking 26th. But if he would be there in that group and the Rockets were to pick that high — and again, they won't — Mike Conley, a point guard with Tony Parker speed, is irresistible. In the 11 to 15 range, again the Rockets cannot go wrong (and probably cannot get there), but Al Thornton looks like the sort that would a real get for them. Love a guy that is so all out, all the time. It's a speed league these days, and as with the Conley fantasy, Thornton does things fast. Looking at the 16 to 20 guys, and moving to a range where maybe if the Rockets were to move up, the choice is tougher. Some of this depends on where players are forecast. Rudy Fernandez would be a real nice get here. Javaris Crittenton could last this long. Sean Williams could last to the 20s but might be a top 20 guy. But Jason Smith, the Colorado State 7-footer with all kinds of offensive skills, is the choice here. This leads us to the real world, picks 20 to 26. Thaddeus Young, Crittenton's teammate and a nice project, might slip this long. Williams might be in this group. Glen Davis probably will be. Williams and Davis are intriguing, but risky. The shooters — Marco Belinelli and Rice's Morris Almond — jump out. And with the 26th pick of the NBA Draft, the Rockets choose... Almond. Or not, but that's the pick here if the Rockets don't move up. Go with the shooter, and you can't go wrong.
Go with the shooter, and you can't go wrong. Unless that shooter is Trajan Langdon, JJ Reddick, Steve Novak and on and on and on.
I like Almond a lot, and IF he is available we need to take him. I think Belinelli is going to be one of the best picks in the entire draft, and if we can get him, then we need to go for it 100%. Unfortunately several teams before us like him a lot, and in order to get him we WILL have to trade up. I guarantee you that is one of the trades that Morey is referring to that is contingent on our player being available and the other team's player already gone.
lol seriously. how does the chron live with itself. aside from mentioning that a couple players have 'good offensive skill sets,' feigen just namedrops 3 or 4 players in each range of picks without offering any insight into the type of player they could become or their pros and cons. thank you houston chronicle sportswriters, for your consistent suckage.
We need points late in the game, we need 5 on the floor that can hit a wide open jumper. As a result, Chuck, Rafer, and Snyder are on the bench. 4th Qtr Lineup w/5 minutes remaining Tmac Yao Battier Bonzi Almond We can score the rock.
Is this common wisdom that it is safe to draft shooters? It seems to me to be risky to draft shooters. Shooters don't seem to shoot very well in their first season or two in the NBA and, if they aren't good at some other skill, have no reason to be allowed on the court. I would think it'd be safer to draft a scorer or a rebounder, if we were aiming for safe. They seem more able to justify minutes early in their careers that will give them the experience they need to become legit players.
What is your evidence that Almond can shoot the ball? His college stats? Novak if I recall had awesome college stats, but when he went into a game he couldn't do jack. Will almond be another summer league MVP and regular season dud?
I don't know if anyone read this but if you can make a topic go ahead: http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draf.../story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=ProRater About Almond. Read it good article. I would love Thaddeus Young to fall to us if this article is correct.
I feel like I'm reading the short-hand of a 5th grader.....how many improper sentences slip by in that article?
i am all for almond..great shooter and hometown kid...but if theres another player better like young than man wouldnt we be lucky.. Young Almond Belinelli i would love to have at least one of these 3 guys..
It may take alot more than 8-10 spots to move up and draft Young. ESPN is reporting that several sources say that the Hornets at #13 have locked in on him.
Plenty of disinfo here......Smokescreen out...thick. Here comes the trade of 26 and players for a starter and another piece. ...Or a move waaaay up the ladder.
I'm getting almond joy too or perhaps i'm craving italian. either way draft for the BPA (best player available). We have the whole MLE left, thats more than enough to address the PF void!
I think you need to take another look at this years crop of FA PFs...yikes! almond or belleneli are both fine by me. williams I would be ecstatic. but if they're all off the board this is too high for big baby so I would hope the rockets would look to trade down a few slots.
