I think everybody here is a little nervous about the Rockets possibly selecting Chris Mihm. I have heard many on this board say that he will be another Olowakandi. But this simply can't be, the fact of the matter is that Mihm has played basketball most of his life, and is a student of the game. Olowakandi is British at heart (yes even though his parents hail from Nigeria). He probably grew up thinking about Criquet, tea, soccer, and the hope that one day his country would lift the ban on dentists. The fact of the matter is that Morris (the player we all want including me) is going to be selected (very very likely) within the top 3. The Rockets I don't think will make even 3 though. We will likely in my mind be picking 4. Mihm could fall to this range especially. Popeye has stated that one source he has talked to says the 2 guys the Rockets are most interested in are MORRIS and MIHM. Likely if the Rockets did select him, he would be playing the 4(power forward) alongside Cato at the 5. We would have the twin towers all over again. And a young version / counter of the Robinson Duncan duo(although obviously not that good). All I am saying is that I am fairly certain that Mihm will not be a total bust on the scale of Olowakandi, but it will be interesting to see the level at which he suceeds. Am I right, or am I right?
Ok .. Why do we need a Center? Tell me that.. FOrget about centers right now. We got Cato. We need a SF or PF. I actually think a SF is the most need right now.
I'm not saying we need him. I'm definetly saying that he could very well end up playing power forward. I want Morris or Martin. We likely will not be in the top 3 when we pick. Morris and Martin are likely in the top 3. All I'm saying is that Mihm won't likely be a big bust (like Olowakandi), and that where we are selecting you might want to recognize that the Rocks might take him. Morris and Martin at this point are unlikely to be there.
Francis3, What can't CATO play PF? Not that I want Mihm. I think we do need a center, just not Mihm. ------------------ I have a dream.........his name's Hakeem.
I'm afraid that if we are picking 4, unless clippers are ahead of us we are doomed. Becuase it will then go Morris, Martin, Mimh, and then its our turn to pick. I would say we are screwed. Dreamer-my point exactly, but right now I have to agree with Francis3 that forward is a bigger priority. We can steal Kandi when Dream retires. [This message has been edited by rocketsfan34 (edited January 14, 2000).]
One hope of mine is that we will pick and package up for a deal with a higher team(hopefully whoever takes Morris). Draft day trade to remember: Raptors - Warriors (straight up I think) Jamison - Carter (Golden State takes its future and washes it down toilet).
I too think that is where they should play Cato, but for certain opponents roles would reverse to match up.
Mihm would never play PF. You don't waste that heigth and talent at PF. And the Rockets won't have to worry about having the opportunity picking him. He's good enough to come out now, but will be twice effective if he plays out his 4th year. He's a smart kid, and I wouldn't put it past him to stay in school.
By the way Curly, ever heard of David Robinson? Think Hakeem Olajuwon playing along side Ralph Sampson too. It's definitely not out of the question!
Cato is no Sampson, and Mihm is no Hakeem. I fully comprehend the twin tower concept thank you very much. Even if you have dominating center on your team (which I would question picking Mihm), you would break him in at C, not at PF. He has a great outside shot, but has played with his back to the bucket nearly his entire life. He has the skills but who ever drafts him will put him at C. You can count on it.
If Morris and Martin are already taken when the Rockets pick but Mihm is still there, I don't think the Rockets have any choice but to take him. Even if we don't have any intention of keeping him, we still have to take him. There's no telling what other teams would be willing to give up to get him. We could at least package Mihm and some dead wood and get something very nice in return. I'm not only excited about who we might get in the first round, but also if we might pick up a quality player in the second round. I'm kind of wondering what the Rockets will be able to find in the early part of the second . After all that's where we found Othella (trading down and picking him in the early part of the second). I know it's not necessarily going to happen every year, but the Rockets do seem to find someone at least every few years in the second round (Othella, Cuttino).
I see the Rockets picking around 7th, and I hope Mihm falls to that spot if Morris doesn't. How many times have we heard it? Centers and point guards are the hardest positions to fill. Mihm may not turn out to be a superstar, but 7 footers who can do different things well are hard to come by. And why can't Cato play PF? He's not really a postup player anyway. He can just as easily do his thing at the pf spot. I find a Mihm/Cato combination intruiging.
Mihm has a wonderful opportunity, be one of 1st 5 picks in this year's draft or stay in school with the chance of being #1. Mihm is a very talented guy. I have been watching him for the past two years at UT. I'm a big Longhorns fan and I would be happy to see Mihm in a Rockets uniform in the near future. I'm also a big Rockets fan hoping that Mihm turns out to be a Tim Duncan rather than a Micheal Olowokandi. Mihm is the ultimate college basketball player. How that will translate into the NBA remains to be the question. Mihm can virtually do it all at 7'0". Should Mihm stay in college? I hope that Mihm does stay another year and help Rick Barnes put Texas basketball on the map. Barnes is bringing in an excellent class of recruits this fall. Texas is a top 20 basketball team and has faced tough non conference opponents unlike other Big 12 teams except for Kansas. I think that it will depend on how far Texas goes into the NCAA tournament. If they lose in the first, second, or sweet sixteen rounds, I think odds are Mihm may not stay. An elite 8 or final 4 trip may keep Mihm in Austin. He's faced tough competition and has never backed down.
The fact that people are talking about Mihm as a Top 5 selection goes to show how depleted the talent level of college basketball has become. If the best we can do with our Top 5 pick is Mihm, I suggest we trade the damn thing for two solid role players-- since that's basically what I think Mihm is likely to become.
WOW Kagy, if find that hard to believe that is coming from you. You don't think Mihm is worth a top 5 in the few years drafts either? While he is not polished nor proven to be of NBA calibur. Do you not feel that he has all that "P" word and more? As stated above, at 7 feet, he can offer an inside and outside game. He has the tools, and over the past 2 years, he has gone from a string bean to at least a physical presence in the paint. With the proper weight training program, and a half way good coach, I think he could be all that and a bag of chips.
