Now it all makes sense... http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/sports/4934088.html With a year to sit back and watch the NBA from stands and sofas, Rick Adelman studied the game and players, imagining how he would do things when he was back. He watched the league take another step toward speed this past season and considered his offense fitting with the trend. He also saw something else he might not have imagined becoming useful. From Portland, Ore., Adelman could not help but notice the point guard at the University of Oregon. Months later, with the first draft pick since Adelman became the Rockets' coach, they chose the Ducks' Aaron Brooks, and this time when Adelman was picturing a player running his offense, he eventually will be. "I was really impressed with the level he played at," Adelman said. "I think he's got skills that are hard to guard. He's fast. He's quick. He really improved his shooting last year. I think he's going to add a real element. We want to push the ball more. We want to run more, have a little more activity. He gives us that. "I think any player that has the speed and quickness that he possesses with the ball, it's pretty easy. There's a lot of things he can do that puts him in situations that he can attack the basket." The Rockets brought Brooks and second-round pick Carl Landry, a power forward from Purdue, to town Friday. Their other second-round pick, Brad Newley of Australia, is expected to join them and last season's second-round pick, Lior Eliyahu, on the Rockets' summer league team, though the latter likely will remain overseas next season. The Rockets added former Texas A&M center Antanas Kavaliauskas to the summer league team that already included former Texas Tech forward Andre Emmitt and last season's rookies Steve Novak and John Lucas IV. Trades fall through In putting together their regular-season team, the Rockets were tantalizingly close to getting the player they targeted, Spain's Rudy Fernandez. The Wizards were planning to take Daequan Cook with the 16th pick, but instead found Nick Young available. If they had taken Cook off the board, the Heat would have traded their pick to the Rockets, who would have used it to take Fernandez. The Rockets also had a trade with the Knicks dissolve while New York was on the clock. Fernandez went to Phoenix two spots before the Rockets selected Brooks, who was second on their draft board followed by Landry. The Rockets had indications that Brooks could have gone to Phoenix with the 29th pick and Landry likely would have been picked by Boston with the next pick. "We really think Carl and Aaron are really going to help us over time, add elements to our team," Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said. "We thought they were the best players on the board. They were going to get picked right behind us. "Aaron with his speed, the ability to shoot from the outside and get to the basket, is — with today's NBA rules — fairly unguardable. Carl gives us a low-post presence and size with an offensive skill set. We thought Carl was the best big on the board, even at (No.) 26. And Aaron, we had intel he was going to go between 26 and 31. So these are two guys we were targeting and we were able to get." Power forwards sought Morey said the Rockets' free-agent and trade goals have not changed based on the draft acquisitions, and he is expected to target power forwards. The Rockets also intend to bring back free-agent forward Chuck Hayes, Morey said. The Rockets made a qualifying offer to Hayes, making him a restricted free agent Sunday when free-agent talks can begin. But the changes to the roster began Thursday with moves that were unexpected — except, the Rockets said, by them. "I was very surprised," Brooks said. "The Rockets were one of the first teams to contact me, and then I didn't hear from them for a long time. I didn't know if they were still interested in me. I was getting a lot of feedback from other teams in the first round. "I always want to make sure I can be effective in some kind of way. I can change the game in so many different ways. If I have to run through a brick wall, that's what I'm going to do. "There are a lot of 6-4 guys that play like they're 5-7. I'm definitely going to need some help in the post against some of these guys, but I have my own advantages by being small. That's what I've been capitalizing on." Beyond that, it is what Adelman saw during his year in Portland. jonathan.feigen@chron.com
Lucas on the SL team is a waste of time unless they're showcasing him. We know the SL vet is going to dominate too and school the rookies. He's the Skita of the Rockets.
sorry, i still read Adelman quotes in the context of his sad introduction with Les sitting between him and the emasculated Morey requiring everyone to recite the chant "We do everything in full agreement"
Me too, he seems like a guy who would know talent. I am trying to think of examples where he DEFINITELY had a huge hand in drafting someone for the Kings or somewhere else. I was thinking about guys like Gerald Wallace, Kevin Martin who he may have wanted but I'm not sure if he should get most of the credit for these guys. The interesting thing is that Wallace was the 25th pick by the Kings in 2001 and Martin was the 26th pick by the Kings in 2004. From watching some of Brook's video he looked extremely skilled at finishing around the basket as well as pull up J's, long 3's, and his defense seems solid. One thing is for sure, I trust Morey a little but it is hard to argue with someone like Adelman who has been around the NBA long enough to have a pretty good idea what skills will translate well to the NBA. With that kind of first step and quickness WITH THE BALL that Brooks has displayed he could end up being pretty solid soon. Look at guys like Barbosa and Monta Ellis even and see how successful they are because of how quick they are with the ball. They both can pull of for jumpers or take it to the whole. Anyways, solid endorsement from RA and if he had a hand in picking the two freaks I mentioned above then I think he has earned enough cred to pick a player or two.
I am also glad to hear that Antanas Kavaluaskas is going to play for the summer league. He is a very skilled player who tested out a little better as an athlete than I or anyone would have thought. He played very well at A&M and was a huge contributor for that team. He seemed like one of the more polished bigs in college last year which could be contributed to his age and taste of professional ball over seas. I think he could be a solid contributor someday but I don't know if he has enough strength or athleticism to be picked up anytime soon. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a very good showing in the summer league. I would like to keep him around somehow because he will develop into a solid NBA player someday. Maybe he could play on the D-League and we can try to develop him.
The Rockets will look good come October. I just got good news that the Spurs bought the D-League team in Austin, which means the Hidalgo's D-League down here in the Rio Grande Valley will be the Rockets affilate team. The team will be call the Vipers and I will get a chance to see any players that the Rockets many want to develop further. Yes!!
Iverson is 6'0" and Brooks is mentioned in various reports to being anywhere from 5'10" to 6'1".No I'm not comparing Iversons heart or talent to Brooks but raw speed really is hard to contain! Especially in todays NBA.
It's interesting to note, then, that Brooks wasn't a pure Moneyball pick. I guess Adelman at least sort of had his eye on him. I didn't want another point guard, but he's here, so I'm interested in seeing what he can do.
How far (miles and drive) is Hidalgo from Houston? If you watched the draft, you probably heard Rick Bucher (or was it Andy Katz?) talking about the Spurs' acquisition of the Austin Toros. The Spurs and the Lakers have bought NBDL franchises in order to instill their offensive and defensive sytems. This way, the NBDL teams turn into true "minor league teams" for them. They can send young players down to learn the NBA team's system, making them more ready to step in and play. For instance, Jordan Farmar played for L.A.'s NBDL team and the Lakers ON THE SAME DAY!!! I think one of the main reasons why JVG didn't believe in the NBDL was because most NBDL teams didn't use the NBA team's systems, so the Rockets' players weren't learning HIS system. If Les Alexander would step up and buy the Hidalgo franchise (I mean, how much could an NBDL team in Hidalgo, TX cost?), it could become a place where guys like JLIII, Novak, Brooks and Landry could develop under Adelman's system and with regular playing time. Hell, the Rockets could even hire a coach of Adelman's choosing to coach the team, or even have one of the Rockets' assistants split time between the Rockets and the NBDL team. Just a thought.
It's about a 6 hr drive- just take 59 south (all the way)- becomes 77 south,then exit Kingsville to the RGV! Or just use Yahoo map for more details! Hidalgo is a county of The Rio Grande Valley, which consist of small cities- McAllen, Edinburg, & Mission.
