Just a crzy thought - some things I have been reading show Caron Butler sliding a bit, through no fault of his own, and could possibly get down as low as 8 or 9 .. just wondered if the Rockets would have enough to offer someone to jump in there if he is available that low.. what would it take, do you think? Give up 15, and KT for Butler? what else would be needed to sweeten that pot? would the 37 do it? I just got goosebumps thinking about coming out of this draft with both Ming *and* Butler... oooooh Whatcha think? even a snowball's chance?
It would be hard but I'd like to get him. I haven't seen anough of Nachbar to judge but I've liked what I've seen of Butler. He could start right away.
Butler, as "strong" as he is could only bench 185 twice. TWICE!!!! I "know" this guy, a 5' 7"accountant, that could outbench him any day of the week! Basketball is not weight lifting, but the reason he may be falling is that his agility/strength numbers do not match his hype. I remember him not doing to well in Chicago. Would I love to have the guy on the Rox, YES! Will he potentially be slammed by bigger/stronger/faster players and have to adjust...yes, but that is true for all rookies. He simply may not be ready to contribute mightily on day 1, thus he will lose his top 5 status. Perhaps GM's can measure the guys skills and project them out a little better than we can. Could he fall....YES, could anyone fall other than Ming (without serious complications from China) and JWill...YES. Griffin at 7, Pierce at 10. Collier at...who cares...it was too early whenever it was. An added bonus to our drafting him is that if he's here in Houston, then we could workout together and I could give him pointers on his bench press form to hopefully get the guy to THREE! reps at 185.
I see Butler as a less athletic version of Ron Artest. The Paul Pierce comparions are silly in my opinion. And I don't see any reason why Nachbar can't have the same success as a Stojakovic or Turkoglu. Maybe you'd rather have Ron Artest (without the strength and quickness), but I'd rather one of those sharp-shooting Europeans! It's a matter of taste I guess. Obviously some of you think he is the next Paul Pierce, so...
I can't understand why Wagner would be dropping. I thought I heard he's been killing in his workouts as of late. But, I wouldn't mind if he fell to 11th so my other team (the Wizards) could pick him up.
I wouldnt be surprised if some other team not in the lottery throws deals for Wagner because hes dropping. That could offset the order big time.
Something is not right with that bench---45 pounds under his weight 2 times-- no way- seriously do you think he was slacking with a purpose?
Nero, I'm with you. I think I'll pass out if we get Ming and Butler. My dream draft goes like this: 1. Hou - Ming 2. Chi - Williams 3. GSW - Dunleavy 4. Mem - Gooden 5. Den - Tskita 6. Cle - Wilcox 7. NY - Hilario (maybe Borchard) 8. LAC - Wagner 9. Pho - Butler 10 Mia - Jefferies 11. Was - Woods 12. LAC - Borchard (Maybe Hilario) 13. Mil - Ely 14. Ind- Rush 15. Hou - Stoudamire I think there's going to be a run on SF/PF's early in the draft. I think 1-3 are set. Memphis could take Butler, but I think West will err on the side of size. Gooden, Gasol and Battier will create matchup problems when they play 2,3,4 or 3,4,5. Butler doesn't bring much that Battier doesn't already provide. Vandeweigh needs to find a franchise player b/c McDyess may leave. Tskita his greater upside than Butler Cle may take Butler but will take Wilcox' size and athleticism. They want LeBro' next year and I think he will play SF. Cle can man the SF position with Person, Murray and Ricky Davis (who is very athletic). NY has Sprewell and Houston and desperately needs help at pf/C. Hiliario or Borchard makes sense. Then again, maybe NY takes Butler and uses him to unload some of their crappy contracts. LAC has Miles, Odom and someone else. Miles is clearly the heir to that swingman job there. LAC will look for perimeter help or insurance for Kandiman. Phoe has stud Marion, Joe Johnson and Peso-I-mean-Penny. With folks like Googs, Alton Ford (the Pinto), Tsakalidas, Voskuhl and Outlaw, they really need interior help. (That's why they're rumored to want Brian Grant in a trade). If we package MT or KT and No. 15, they might take the bait. Phoe had a horrible year, but have enough talent to compete for the last playoff spot, esp with Utah and Seattle heading south with age. They could turn No. 15 into Stoudamire, Ely, Haislip or someone else. Mia, presently constituted needs a SF. I hear Riley really liked Jefferies. Wash needs a scorer to help Rip Hamilton. Woods supposedly can fill it up. LAC - see above. The last thin LAC needs is a SF, but they might take Stoudamire. Mil - May also take Stoudamire, but Ely is more NBA ready. Milwaukee has enough firepower to take the East. Ind - With O'Neal, Bender, Croshere et al, they have enough committed to young big men. They'd probably take Rush, as Reggie's trainee and heir apparent. Rush and Tinsley would be a good looking back court of the future, with Oneal. Which brings us to Hou. I know it's a stretch, but I think it's possible.
