We have had threads on why we should choose Yao Ming, we have had threads on why we should not choose Yao Ming, and we have had threads on Odom, Dunleavy, Butler, and even freaking Tyson Chandler. So, I want to know, quite simply, if you were Carroll Dawson, what would you do with the draft? What would you NOT do? And what are your reasons? I would do this: I would get assurance that Ming will be available from the Chinese government and the Sharks and take him at #1. I would then try to either get Nachbar or the best SF available at pick #15 or trade the pick along with Kenny Thomas for a SF. Why would I do this? Well, the Rockets won 45 games 2 seasons ago and were a strong contender to make the playoffs last season until the injuries hit. This team is not a perennial doormat like the Grizzlies or the Warriors or the Cavs or the Bulls, etc. We can afford to take a chance on Ming, IMO. The worst that he can do is alter some shots (something Cato has forgotten how to do), grab 6 or more rebounds, and be a presence in the post on defense. I'm not expecting the Rockets to be a championship contender right away with Yao. But a 6th to 8th playoff spot should not be a stretch for this team even if Yao does not contribute much at all. Let him get used to the NBA game and season, and hopefully, he will be able to work out with the Rockets during the off-season to get better and get a better feel of the Rockets offense. With a healthy Mo Taylor and an emerging Eddie Griffin plus whoever we get at #15 thrown in to the frontcourt with Yao, the Rockets should automatically be stronger here than last season. Add the backcourt of Francis and Mobley & this team should be able to win 40 + games. Now, I would not do these 2 things: 1) Obtain Lamar Odom 2) Take Mike Dunleavy over Caron Butler I'm sorry but I just don't see the fascination with Odom. I know he is talented and a buddy of Mobley's and Francis', but he is a pothead and doesn't seem to be much of a leader. If he had the attitude of Glen Rice (who was very well-liked by his teammates), then maybe I could stomach him better. However, I have the feeling that placing Odom on this team could be a recipe for disaster & that our Rockets could become the second coming of the Jailblazers. If we have to trade the #1 pick, then we need to get someone else. Elton Brand would be great or some other young PF, but for God's sakes, let's get Caron, Tschik, Nachbar,etc. to play the 3...not "Potsie" from Happy Days, I mean Odom. As for Dunleavy, he is good but he is overhyped and they are better options out there over him mainly Caron Butler. I guarantee if the Rockets take Dunleavy over Butler, they will rue that day. Dunleavy is a great shooter but he seems soft to me, especially around the basket. Butler, meanwhile, is not the shooter like Dunleavy, but he is still not bad. However, he goes to the rack and he goes hard. I worry that he might become an injury-prone player since he attacks the basket with such fury. Other than Kenny Thomas, the Rockets never really had a frontcourt player to attack the basket like Caron. I know Rudy loves the 3 and he likes Dunleavy, Sr, but taking Jr over Caron would be just a bad decision, no ifs, ands, and buts about it.
I'm being a realist here. I mean, CD and RT are angling for a meeting with Yao's parents to ask for his hand, y'know? 1. Draft Ming if the BS is cleared. 2. If 1 happens, draft Nochbar or Chris Jefferies at 15, or find a sucker to take KT + 15 so we can move up for Jared Jeffries, Nickoloz T., whomever.
1. Draft Ming 2. Trade the #15 and any one of the following group ( MoT, KT,or Cato) for the best SF you can get or move up to draft one ( Butler, Dunleavy..although I prefer Butler myself).
MR, I have posted info. on trades, but not put out anything on personal thoughts except for 2 items: 1) Concern over future events with Ming (5 years out after intiial contract) 2) EG is the real deal! That being said, With the number one pick..take the best available offer be it either drafting Ming or a trade. (NOTE: I personally do not care for Odom. Why trade for him if you can simply draft a younger/possibly better version). Best player I would draft would with out a doubt be Butler (see above). We have a 1, 2, and a 4 (by platoon until EG grows into the postion...hopefully as a 4/5). A solid 3 is what I would go for here. I would rather solidify one position than have a maybe at another. Our 3 position is the pits: Rice, Williams, TMO and Langhi......please! At least Cato is now showing signs of improvement , but we have nothing at the three. Oh well, here is to hoping that the initial trades put on the table go through.
"Our 3 position is the pits: Rice, Williams, TMO and Langhi......please!" Which begs the question what the blazes happened to Oscar Torres? For few weeks he certainly seemed capable to handle the job and then he dissapeared from sight. Are th Rocks going to give him a chance this coming year? Or is he better suited to back up Mobely? Either way the three spot is dismal.
I'm not sure you'll find anyone too much younger-Odom is only 22. carlos-I'm not sure Torres ever seemed capable. He's more of a 2 than a 3 IMO-he's only 6'6''. If I'm Carroll Dawson, I'm not sure there's anything I really wouldn't" do. I definitely have no qualms over trading Ming. I would not blindly turn down every trade offer because teams will start to put up some seriously attractive offers. I would say "don't come out of the draft with Rice/Morris as your 3s" but if we draft Ming, I'd have a hard time turning down someone like Borchardt, Stoudemire, or who knows who may slip if one is there at 15. ROCKET!!!-Heard anything lately?
I agree exactly! We need Yao, and if the rockets get him at #1, we have to trade to move up and draft a SF, I prefer Butler over Dunleavy easily, maybe a nick t, nachbar, or even a woods or stoudemire would be awesome if not Butler! A straight up trade for an odom or kandi would be stupid.....
NIKE, All quiet on the far eastern front! (That is until we hear solid 411 from the red star ). All still holds true, but only stronger desires from our friend up north. Holding pattern until the return. Road Trip! Blather, Balther, Blather. Just pushin' buttons until three gold bars come up. The closer we get, the more the ante is to our liking. Did you see the report on Krausse and Baylor at the mini camp. Gee, now I wonder how all THAT fits in? I am still concerned over trade two if one comes in. I guess EG would be our 3 if it does not materialize. I love all this Ming hype! Man, the marketing dept. is working overtime.
ROCKET!!! I agree with you on the 3 spot being terrible. I would like to think that Glen Rice will come back strong and go out in a blaze of glory, but I'm not going to hold my breath. Although, I would not want to trade the pick because I'm Pro-Ming, the deals you have described in the past would be great ones and ones that I would be in favor of. I'm wondering if you know what position EG is going to wind up being? I hope it is a 4, but it seems like he wants to be a 3. One thing for sure, he needs to develop a low post game or Rudy needs to let him play more in the post.
you guys better aquire a taste for Odom, because he is going to be dishing it out for the Rockets... dimsum anyone.. (spell check) Go Ming!!
Would you trade Griffin for Kwame Brown? Or some other 4, or even a 3? Griffin is not a true 3, nor can he play the 4 until he grows into the position, so if the Rockets want contributors NOW, then why not trade him for a full time player? Isn't this the argument against taking Ming, b/c he would take too long to develop? Who will develop sooner, Ming or Griffin?
RM, To answer your question....yes to all. Actually, I see EG as a 3/4/5. Yes, a 3/4/5. Currently, there is only one other player in the league that can realistically play 3/4/5 and he plays for the T-wolves. Rudy has coveted KG for years and now we have him. You asked this question before and I jokingly replied, "Where ever he whats to!" Seriously, I saw him recently. He looks like he has added 25-30 lbs. I haven't bothered him to ask him if he has added pounds or really hit the weights. God, he looks chisled out of granite. What I am hearing from the guys is that he has ALREADY taken his game to a whole other level. Working on back-to-the-basket moves (someone showed him a tape of Olajuwan's "show-them- the-ball-move against Robinson and he has been practicing it ever since. Don't be suprised to see it this year), post D and footwork. So the question....where does he play. With the current team....where ever Rudy needs him. If Ming, at the 3 (if Taylor has recovered, if not some 3/some4 with KT). If the trades happen, 4/5 some 3.
Hey ROCKET!!!. Enjoy your posts. I dropped the other thread because I was worried it was actually impacting the Chinese negotiations negatively, and we need those to go well. A lot of Chinese are internet literate, and I have a feeling that some of our juxtpositions were freaking them out. ... and they probably don't understand our need to look at all the possible angles... So, even though I'm tempted to discuss that more, I think I'll wait until CD and team come back. But, I have a couple other questions... You mention that EG is taking his game to another level. That is SO cool. But, you mentioned TMo in your list of bad SFs on our team. I had hopes that he could actually be our future SF, just like Griffin is probably our future PF, although faster, and I remember the Rocket's brass saying at one time that those two guys were our future. Can you tell me what you've seen and heard about TMo? I know Francis wants help now, not a few years after TMo develops, but does he have the potential to be a starter for us? We heard that Taylor gained 70 pounds while injured. Is he losing that weight and getting back in playing shape, and getting his game back? If not, he'll be difficult to trade, or help our team. And how has Rice's recovery gone? I know the Rockets want to move him and his contract, but is there any possibility of him contributing to the team next year, if we don't trade him? I know you're not hot on Odom. But is there any possiblity of picking up either Odom or Lewis, if we take Ming #1? And how would we do that? Thanks again. And hey, Manny, this is a bit off topic, but I thought it fit into your mandate of wanting to know what we'd do if we were CD...
Nostradamus, I mean Rocket!!!, your posts are always fun, thought-provoking and shrouded in mystery. It was fun trying to figure out the clues to the "trades" but tell us more about Eddie. Has he acquired Hakeem size and weight and agility? More...more...more. Thanks and ... thumbs up!
Hopefully this news of Griffin's chiseled body and improved inside play will stop all of these "the Rockets need a banger" comments. I can't wait to see Ming and Griffin out there on the court together. They're going to be Twin Towers 3, Griffin playing the Duncan/Dream role, Ming being Robinson/Sampson.
Sherlock, I lumped TMo in there for several reasons. 1) What is the typical recipe for a rookie that scores 3.8 ppg? Play hard about 45 games. Hit the wall. Rest for a while finish the last 20 games strong. Take about three weeks after the season and then hit the gym with everything you have to develop new and better skills for the next campaign, especially true for a second rounder as they have less time to impress a club. Has TMo done this? NO! 2) What is the only thing you have you heard about TMo this off season? Run in with the Police. TMo needs MANY years to develop (3-4). EG will be on-line in (1-3). EG is already contributing. Besides, if you could have TMo or draft Butler, whom would you choose at the 3? Rice is fine, but out of shape. Have not seen MoT. That seems to be his M.O. right now. No likely way to draft Ming and get Lewis. Could pick up Lewis if he is willing to play for the MCE. Otherwise a sign and trade is unlikely, not impossible, but unlikely.
The seeds of intelligent observation and articulation have begun to sprout. Miracles never cease. Yes to Ming at # 1. Duh! Take Nachbar or best SF at # 15. Yeah! Better yet - send Rice, MoT and #15 to move up (get real, not in this world). Probably have to send KT with # 15 to get a taker. Yep! Give MoT his walking papers, and some Taco Bell gift certificates unless he shows up ready to play, in shape. Cinnamon crispas! Lean, mean, young, and hungry. Don't resign Willis, Williams, Langhi or Collier. Rockets will rule again - soon enough. Glory be! Can you feel the excitement? This is turning into an international peace keeping mission of large proportions. Wait and see! Good will to all men where ever they are. Amen!
