This draft sucks. Mihm and Martin are the cream of the crop and they aren't really that good. Remember tony battier from texas tech, he never did anything before the senior year then he had a good season, then he was drafted and now he sits on someones bench. Martin will be the same. Rudy wants out of that draft. Look for him to trade away from the pick. Rudy wants to win and win now. And if he doesn't trade away, its cause he has a diamond in the rough that only he knows about. Be prepared to be dissappointed in the NBA draft, but get over it soon cause a playaaaa is coming to Houston. Hey if the guys are willing to learn and play, why ask them to lose. ------------------
sucky draft???????? NO WAY!!!!!!!! You dont know???????? Martin is the real deal Martinfeild!!!!!!!! I guess you know what everybody in the country doesnt!!!!!!!! Or you think you do!!!!!!!! OH! You talked to Rudy???????? When???????? He was probly lying to you when he told you that!!!!!!!! They usually dont tell people their actual plans!!!!!!!! Thats''' s sillies!!!!!!!! I think Im dissapointed already, but has not to do with NBA draft???????? .?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.?.? ------------------ CriscoKidd ... the official mascot for the S.F.B.W.C.
I basically agree with you that this draft is not that deep, but before his injury, Martin was that good. Mihm is destined to be a 2nd tier pro center, not a bad thing, but a little lacking for the second pick in the draft. Fizer's height may limit his pro success. And these are by far the best three prospects in the draft. By the time the Rockets get to pick, they may have to take a gamble on a HSer, who will not make major contribution for the next two or more years. The Rockets will probably be a borderline playoff team next year, so they are not going to see a pick this low next year (or anytime soon). Drafting a HSer would mean that after Dream retires will be the next time the Rockets get a shot at a great player, this time via free agency. ------------------
I really think that Rudy might go after a HS kid. However, Martin *was* a great player, Demarr Johnson has a great deal of potential, and I still think MoPete will be a top flight 3 in this league-although probably not superstar, still a 17 and 7 guy. Also, Chris Porter is a great athlete who had a bad season-I wouldn't pick him w/a good draft pick, but he would be good for the mid-1st round, if we trade down. Any of those 4 players would be a welcome addition, imo. Suppose we steal Rashard Lewis away from seattle, and somehow deal up (Cato + #6-9 pick +Drew + Thomas) to draft Martin.... this gives us a starting five of: 5 Hakeem 4 Martin 3 Lewis 2 Anderson 1 Francis That leaves us Williams, Rogers, and Mobley on the bench. This would be an exciting, playoff caliber team with amazing potential. Now, I know that such a deal isn't at all likely, I'm merely trying to illustrate that this off-season has definite possibility. ------------------
Like I said Rudy doesn't care about this draft. This draft is badddddd. There are no super star in the near future. Sure there are a couple of all-stars like there should be but there is nothing past the top 3 or 4 picks. However you could really score a steal in the late 1st round (an all-star type player). But potential is just that just hype until it proven. ------------------
guys ..........do you all remember what they were saying about last yr's draft ? it sucked too right? yeah right ! there are 3 to 5 players from this past draft that will be names recognizable by everyone in a few yrs.... but 1999 will be remembered for the yr. FRACIS was drafted ! (when all is said and done ) ------------------ Thanks Hakeem for all the memories and the 2 championships... The torch has been passed... Francis , the making of brand new great memories for us rocket fans !
Last year, there were some pretty good players, but in my opinion, only 3 who are obvious stars, Francis, Brand and Odom. Maybe Thomas, Marion, Hamilton and Maggette could turn into something really special too. There were quite a few "good" players in last years draft. I think the same will be true this year, but as far as immediate stars, beyond Martin, (who is questionable long term because of the injury) and maybe Mihm (who might not even come out until next year), there doesn't seem to be obvious star players. Someone like Miles could turn into a star in 3 or 4 years, like Garnett did, so I'd like to see the Rockets pick him up. Next year should be a good star year with players like Swift, Morris, Mihm, Murphy, Woods and possibly Griffin, Wallace, Ford, Stevenson, Harper and others coming out. I'd like to see us draft Miles, trade the other picks for an early pick next year, like with a perenial lottery team, such as LAC, Vancouver, or Golden State. That's unless we could package them with our exception and a couple guys to get Odom or Duncan. ... another Rocket miracle, if that happens. It would be nice if we could pick up Kandi for Drew, and Lewis as a FA (remember when we should have grabbed Drexler earlier), and maybe someone like Fortson or VanHorn with our exception, Williams and maybe TMass. Of course, its imperative we sign Mobely. If a deal, like Popeye is describing, could actually happen this year, for Odom and Kandi or Duncan, we'd be set a year earlier. But in my opinion, I think Hill, Duncan and Grant will opt to stay another year with their teams. Next year, after Dream retires, we need to get that last championship caliber star in FA or trade (Duncan, Hill, Wallace, Webber, Finley, Shaq). And remember, if Dream gets back to health and adjusts well, even though it might take until mid-season to gell, he and Francis could actually take us to the Finals next year. Next year we could have: Dream/Cato/Kandi Van Horn or Fortson/Thomas/Rogers Lewis/Miles/Bullard Anderson/Mobely Francis/Norris The next year, if we could pick up one of the major FAs (Rudy will have a chance to develop some good relationships during the Olympics run) and an early draft pick, we could possibly go to the championships. Webber, R.Wallace or Duncan/Kandi/Cato Van Horn,Finley or Fortson/Thomas/Swift/Rogers Lewis/Miles or G.Wallace/Bullard Anderson/Mobely Francis/Norris That's a really deep team that could contend for the championship for years to come. Now where's that genie lamp ... ------------------
