Well, its not real but....but it could be. I think that the rockets will do a trade for next season. Drew is likley to be gone. He is good, but he has the misfortune of playing behind Mr. Franchise. I think that Drew will be trade for a top 15 pick and another player. Moochie is not the answer to backup though. Thomas or Rogers likely will be gone as well. But not both. But, there will not be a huge overhaul of the team. All in all, it will look real similar with the exceptions of a top 6 draft pick. A 15th pick and the Dretroit pick. Oh yeah, did I mention that G. Hill or T. Duncan would fit in nicely with the Rockets too!!!!
Actually im pretty sure they will trade Bryce Drew this offseason, i really think moochie can end up being a good back up for Francis
Something to add to your Thomas suggestion: if the Rockets end up with a 11-13th pick, I believe the best talent on the board will be Marcus Fizer. I would not pass on Fizer in that position just because we have Thomas. I would take Fizer and wait for the trade offers for Thomas to come in. Fizer is likely to be better than Thomas. Unlike many on this board, picking tweeners who can play does not bother me, especially since we have a premier shot blocker helping them on defense. Remember the tweeners often only experience defensive problems cause of size. Cato can help with that. They usually can hurt the other team on offense because of their tween size. Hell, I'd play Cato, Thomas and Fizer without second thought. Both Thomas and Fizer shoot well from the outside and both of them can destroy any small forwards who try to guard them. Both of them can also hurt power forwards with their foot speed. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited March 05, 2000).]
I see Fizer as another Williamson, not a player with a great impact. He has skills, but I dont know how he would fare against players bigger, stronger, and quicker than he is. We could draft Muoneke in the 2nd round if we want a 3/4 type player.
Why get Muoneke when you can have the Big 12 Player of the Year? Right now we need a premiere player at the 3/4 and Muoneke is not a premiere player. Fizer has all the tools right now while Gabe still needs to work. He doesn't have the shot Marcus has and the passing ability. I will admit though that Gabe would be a good pick up in the 2nd round, but I would rather see the Rocks take Fizer and then take a 3-point/jump shot type SF with their next pick. Michael Redd would be a steal.
I agree with you about the impact 3/4 player, but I dont see Fizer as the type of player who could run with our guys. He is a good player, but I think for a system other than ours. Michael Redd would be a good pickup though.
I don't think Drew will be worth a 1st rounder (at least I wouldn't give up a 1st round pick for him). He'll probably be packaged with another player or picks this offseason. Moochie looks like a capable backup. Monneke should be invited to the Rockets camp but isn't worth a pick. Fizer is only a junior so he may not come out this year (I haven't heard that he is yet). The Rockets need some big bodies and he would be a great pick. Etan Thomas should get a look too, great defender but lacks offense.
Mango, My point is that with a shotblocker, you can guard them close and steer them into Cato. Sure, you'd prefer a faster player like a Shandon Anderson with a couple more inches, but you'll find that Hill will have a tough time guarding Fizer at the other end. When you have a shotblocker like Cato, forward tweeners don't hurt you on defense as much. Conversely, they nearly always help you on offense by being a pain for SF and PF to guard. UT Baller: my impression of Fizer is he is as fast as Thomas and a better dribbler and long-range shooter. Corliss doesn't compare to either one when he came out. Corliss was mainly the beneficiary of the Razorback gunners getting him easy 1 on 1 opportunities.
Also, UT Baller, Fizer has improved his outside shot tremendously. That makes him perfect for Rudy ball. Our half-court offense requires everyone to shoot mid-to-long range shots. As much as I'd love to have Donny Fortson, with him and Cato on the floor together, the defense has an easier job of playing strong-side zone, cause 2 players can't shoot. Fizer and KT give you that shot, plus the low-post moves. But really guys, my main point is I believe Fizer will drop down to 11th spot. And if so, and we have a pick there, we should take him as the best available, best buy. So, don't compare Fizer to players in the 5-8 slot range. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited March 06, 2000).]
Heypartner, I don't totally agree with your assessment of Corliss. Sometimes what makes a player great in college just doesn't translate to the pros because the game is different. Corliss, John Wallance, R. Rogers, LJ and more recently Jamison and Brand (I thought at least, but he looks like he will be a formidable pro)--were all fantastic college players who just maxed out early and did not have an ideal pro body. Some other recent college players--V. Carter, Francis, Adbur-Rahim--have the game and body better suited for the pros, but they were not as dominant in the game of college BB.
