It looks like its going to come down to these two players for the Rockets 9th selection. Jerome Moiso should be there; whether or not Johnson will be there will depend on what a team like Cleveland does just ahead of the Rockets. Cleveland could go with either Alexander or Tskalidis or they could take Johnson. Let's discuss which one would be better for the Rockets. Here is what I see as the pros and cons for each one. 1. DerMarr Johnson Pros: Gives the Rockets a tall player on the perimeter that can shoot and score, something they do not have right now as their tallest perimeter scorer is 6-4. Is a very athletic player with a 40 inch vertical leap and has a smooth stroke from the perimeter which is nice to have alongside a penetrating guard like Francis. Has a little more star potential than Moiso. Cons: Cuttino Mobley would likely leave as this would majorly eat into his PT. The Rockets would not have a long, athletic PF to go against the the new age ones in West. Also, there would be no true option aside from KT, who would get swatted against the elite PFs, in the low post that can create variation in this offense and provide a back to the basket threat late in games. 2. Jerome Moiso Pros: The Rockets would get a long, athletic player that has the length and athleticism to match up against the key PFs in the West. Moiso with his length and ability to shoot from the perimeter can cause matchup problems and being a big man with a soft touch is a valuable commodity with the penetrating guards. The chances of Cuttino Mobley staying would increase a lot. Cons: Moiso has slightly less star potential than DerMarr Johnson thus you take the risk of leaving a better player on the board in order to fill your needs of a long, athletic PF. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net [This message has been edited by MManal (edited June 16, 2000).]
Both playaz are good, but to me, it all comes down to Mobley. Like you said, if we get Dermarr, then Mobley's minutes are gonna be seriously cut down. I think Mobley's got all star potential, plus he's got a strong work ethic, so you can count on him improving every year. Plus, we don't necessarily need a sg on this team. We could use another small forward, but Dermarr is a lil too thin to play sf right now. So, cuz of all this, I'd select JEROME MOISO. But you never know what the rox are gonna do. AFter all, the Rockets said that they were impressed with Dermarr, and not only that, but CD took the time with Dermarr to have a nice 1 on 1 conversation after the workout. Also, there would be no true option aside from KT, who would get swatted against the elite PFs, in the low post Also, I dont think that KT would get swatted all that much. I've seen games where KT's just completely chopped up the Raef Lafrentz, and even Mcdyess, who are 2 good shot-blockers. My point, even though KT is a lil undersized, he's still got some hard moves in the post to stop. ------------------ treasurer of the moochie norris fan club [This message has been edited by alaskansnowman (edited June 16, 2000).]
MManal, I had looked at those numbers a while back and agree Walt is the key. Particularly if we draft Miller or Johnson, with Shandon already there, I would want to dump Walt as fast as possible. Not that he is a completely aweful player, but Shandon is a better all around 3 anyway and we need the extra PT for Mobley and this years draft to be happy and develop. ------------------ "The Rockets were ahead of the Suns by 20 late in game 2 of the series, but when the going got tough, we just Pippened . We would not be done in the series though."
Ok so lets throw out the hypotheticals. If Johnson and Moiso are on the board, do you go with the best talent in Johnson and hope you somehow can land Webber in 2001 or do you fill you post needs? Anyone with sources or such have any idea what kind of chance the Rockets have at Webber? I have no clue to tell you the truth. The cap room can be created, whether Webber will take it or not I dont know. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
my source is fran blinebury or dale robertson, and neither have told me about any interest between the rockets and webber. btw, i think i would prefer us to take dermarr. ------------------ "Don't they get cable in Canada ?" Keith olbermann, after watching hakeem block terry catledge's shot 5 times.
MManal- What's the URL for Davo's salary cap page? Also, why would Mobley leave if we deal Walt? Are they particularly good friends? I just checked past NBA drafts on Doug's NBA & MLB Stats Home Page and found some pretty good examples (some better than others) of why you should take talent over need. 1992: Philly took Clarence Weatherspoon, who was supposed to be the next Barkley, at number 9; Latrell Sprewell went 24 to Golden State. 1994: Boston took Eric Montross at 9; the Lakers took Eddie Jones at 10 and Denver took Jalen Rose at 13. 1995: Ed O'Bannon went to New Jersey at number 9; Denver took Brent Barry at 15 and Phoenix took Michael Finley at 21. 1996: Indiana took Erick Dampier, who was supposed to replace Rik Smits; Charlotte took Kobe Bryant at 13 (too bad he forced a trade/sucks to be a Hornet) and Portland took Jermaine O'Neal at 17. 1997: Denver took Tony Battie at 5 while New Jersey took Tim Thomas at 7. 1997: An example of a team that did the right thing by taking talent over need, Toronto took Tracy McGrady at 9; Milwaukee took Danny Fortson at 10. 1998: The best example in recent years, the Clippers took Michael Olowokandi at number 1; Dirk Nowitzki went to Milwaukee at 9 and Paul Pierce went to Boston at 10. 1998: Milwaukee traded Nowitzki for Tractor Traylor. [/list=a] I realize that not all the teams that drafted the above players were planning on keeping them; i.e., they knew they were going to trade them. However, I think a look at history reiterates the point that you take talent over need. I say take Johnson, if he is available, and deal Walt. If Miles, Miller, and Johnson are gone, then take Moiso. BTW, Johnson reminds me a bit of Tim Thomas. Didn't Thomas play the 2 at 'Nova? Or was it the 3? ------------------ I'd rather be MC Hammer than Nine Inch Nails
Also, why would Mobley leave if we deal Walt? Are they particularly good friends? writhe, no what I said is that Mobley will leave if we keep Walt and draft DerMarr. That is just my opinion, though. I think Mobley may end up staying if Walt is moved, and we draft DerMarr as he would still get plenty of PT. If the Rockets did move Walt and drafted DerMarr, I think there would still be enough PT to keep everyone happy. Mobley, Francis, Johnson and Anderson could all play 30-35 MPG, and Moochie could fill in the remainder. If Walt is still here, it would make things difficult for the main 4 guys to all get their PT. Just my opinion. Davo's salary page: rocketdavo.tripod.com ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net [This message has been edited by MManal (edited June 16, 2000).]
If we do deal Walt, then I'd rather get Dermarr. I just don't want Mobley to leave, so if we do get Dermarr, then you have to trade Walt. ------------------ treasurer of the moochie norris fan club
I'm weary of taking a player to fill needs. I believe you take the best player available, which is Johnson. What if we take Moiso and he turns out to be a decent PF but Johnson turns into a stud? We've got to take the guy with the highest value. Just because we draft him does not mean we have to keep him. Besides, if we deal Walt in the offseason there will be plenty of room for Mobley and Johnson. ------------------ I'd rather be MC Hammer than Nine Inch Nails
I kinda agree with writhe. Why saddle yourself with Mobley if Dermarr has better skills (I'm not saying he does or doesn't)? If Johnson is better than Mobley, then you replace a good player with a better/cheaper player and have the money you would have spent on Mobley available for someone else down the line. Maybe a sign and trade of Mobley can fill another need. That's just one scenario, but I think it's a good principle for a rebuilding team to take the best overall player. On a contender, taking a player to fill a need is probably the better route. Especially considering your pick is typically lower in the draft and the most talented isn't always clearcut. ------------------
Something to throw a little speculation on the fire: I was looking at Davo's salary page for 2001 cap room. It is listed as a 36.049 mil payroll on a 40 mil cap limit. Thus, that is about 4 mil cap space. However, this payroll amount includes usage of the 4.5 mil trade exception and the 1 mil exception this summer which would escalate to 1.3 mil in 2001 according to the salaries listed there. If the Rockets throw those away, their 2001 payroll drops to 30.549 mil. That is about 9.5 mil in cap space. (Btw, this does include giving Mobley an early bird of which would be 4.1 mil in 2000 and 4.5 mil in 2001.) So 9.5 mil, the Rockets would need a little bit more to make a play for Chris Webber. I noticed that on July 1, 2001, Walt Williams salary JUMPS to 6.35 mil. If the Rockets can unload him this offseason after his hot performance late in the season, that would drop the payroll to 24.199 mil creating 15.8 mil in cap space. That is more than enough to make a play for Chris Webber and pay him the max allowable salary. Also, I wonder if Mobley would stick around if Williams is moved? Thus, a drafting of DerMarr Johnson would give the Rockets Johnson, Anderson and Francis on the perimeter with Cato and Thomas up front. If they can unload Williams or if Mobley were to talk in free agency, it would create a the necessary cap room to pursue Webber. Imagine a starting lineup of Francis, Anderson, Johnson, Webber, Cato. The choice between Johnson and Moiso is going to be a real tough one either way. It may lean towards Johnson if the Rockets feel they have a solid shot at Webber in 2001. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
Tb-Cain, wrihe, If the Rockets do select the best talent in Johnson and dont go for need, I think either Mobley or Williams will be gone. If Mobley decides he wont get enough PT and wants to walk, then the Rockets should just let him go and not pursue a sign and trade as it would free up 4.5 mil more of cap room for 2001. If Mobley decides he wants to stay and play backup, then I think they should do everything within their power to move Williams in order to free up his chunk of salary for 2001. This ofcourse means moving Williams to a team with cap room that can absorb his salary or trading him for a player with one year left on his contract. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
This isn't a hard decision .... I don't think Moiso's even close in talent to Demarr... if there were just a smidgeon of difference... fine, take Moiso... but I don't think many people really expect Moiso to be a star, and I think there are few who DOUBT that Johnson can be a star. Once again, we're not a contender. We don't need "just one more piece." Let's pick the player with the highest ceiling...unless it's a PG . ------------------
I still want the Rockets to take Miller or Miles if they are available. ------------------ I AM SPARTACUS
we definately take miles if he's available at nine. miles is the most talented player in this draft and by 5 years will be known as the best player to come out of this draft. as for miller, he's gonna be a bust, skip him.
haven-good points. I'm still undecided, this would be a pretty close call. Ceilings at times can be overrated. I personally feel the high schoolers are all expected to be superstar players, just because they're good enough to come out of HS. I think I'm sold on Miles, after reading the ESPN Magazine article on him (He went to the MJ camp, and blocked MJ's shot TWICE!). But I wouldn't even consider DeShawn with the #9, unless things went a REALLY weird way. I'd take a good luck of him at 13 or 14 if we got those. ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
I agree with Nike, the talent level between Moiso and Johnson is not gigantic. Johnson is the better talent but not by an extremely large amount. Its not like Moiso is garbage, they are both very talented players. The question is going to be, "Can you sign a legit PF in free agency if you draft Johnson? Do you have a legit shot at Webber in 2001?" Its going to be a tough choice who take with the 9th pick, but if the Rockets feel they want to go best avail then DerMarr is probably the guy. Also, in order for DerMarr to fall to 9, Cleveland is going to have and swing and miss and take Tsakalidis or Alexander. Not meaning to knock on either of them, but neither is as good as Johnson. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
Mmanal this is an excellent thread! I'd be happy with either player at #9 (but I'd prefer Johnson). While the thought of loosing Mobley is sickening, I can't stop thinking that Moiso is soft! Furthurmore, even if we draft Moiso at #9 Mobley may well go elsewhere for an extra million a year because "money talks". It would be DISGUSTING to have passed on Johnson to take Moiso and then to loose Mobley to Free Agency anyhow. Do you think that the Jazz had any inkling that they would loose Shandon Anderson last year? I think the Jazz were caught with their pants down because unpredictable things do happen. Perhaps we should draft Johnson in the event that we would loose Mobley despite taking Moiso!!! Johnson is a versatile player in the unforeseen event that we loose Williams, Bullard, Anderson, Mobley (to injury or Free Agency) next year. Johnson gives us something we don't already have (height and leaping ability at the 2/3). Moiso seems like a Carlos Rogers clone (with slightly better hands and a marginally better outside shot). But make no mistake about it, while Moiso could potentially replace Thomas or Rogers, he isn't the banger to replace Barkley/Massenburg or the shot blocker to replace Olajuwon/Cato or the outside shooter to replace Williams/Bullard. I think it will be really tough for the Rockets to pass on the versatility that Johnson could bring us over what Moiso potentially offers us. I just hope Johnson is still available at #9 so we have a tough choice to make. [This message has been edited by Swami (edited June 17, 2000).]
I think our #1 need is a PF. #2 is an SF. We need a dominant post player. KT isn't, and won't be that. Webber would be ideal for this team, and if we knew he would be a Rocket in 01, I wouldn't even flinch on taking Dermarr (or Darius if he was there). But we don't. KT is an ideal bench player, not starter. We'll need to drop Walt somewhere as well, as his salary jumps big time after this year. ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
Here's what I posted in another thread about this exact same issue: I think Jerome Moiso will have a career in the NBA, which is more than most basketball players on this planet can say. I do NOT think Jerome Moiso will be a stud in the NBA. Therefore, I take Johnson with the number 9 pick. I think Johnson has the raw talent to be one of the top small forwards in the league -- which gives him much more upside than Moiso. It doesn't always work out this way, but the lottery is supposed to be for adding a top player to your roster. I say, roll the freaking dice ... (I would also add that drafting based on need in the lottery is a dubious propostion as writhe pointed out in his earlier post. The only exception I would make is that the Rox should absolutely not draft a PG no matter who's available! ) ------------------
