I'm not sure I understand your question about Scola. I'm not insinuating that we draft Babbitt to start. He can still get minutes with Yao at other points in the game. Personally, I'm not as concerned about shot blocking as I am with rebounding, and that's an area where Babbitt clearly excels (9.2 rpg). I've made the argument in previous threads, but charges are actually a more rewarding way to guard the basket, and our team is the best in the league in that area. As for your thoughts on Whiteside, I mostly agree. I just don't think he's ready, although theoretically he does sound like he would be a good fit if he'd pan out eventually.
I doubt Hakeem gave the thumbs up. They just worked out together. Also, its not because your one of the GOAT that your good at judging talent. *cough* MJ *cough*
Babbitt appears to be a solid rebounder (8.9 last season in 37.1 minutes), but Whiteside is definitely the better rebounder (8.9 last season in 26.1 minutes). I think Whiteside's rep for not being NBA ready is more relevant for what most other teams need, not for what our team needs. On taking charges vs. shotblocking: yes, a charge is more rewarding than a block, but shotblockers also significantly reduce the opponent's shooting percentages on shots in the paint. Our team lacked a shotblocker last season and our defense went from 4th the season before to 17th! What else could be responsible for that precipitous drop but switching from a shotblocker to a charge-taker?
I totally agree that this kid is going to be the real deal. I've heard some interviews from him and Cousins, and though I readily acknowledge that he will never have the size and may not be as physically imposing as Cousins, I would honestly rather have Whiteside. He's not necessarily a high energy player but I think that he has the right attitude and he also understand what his limitations are based on the interviews. If he is as willing to improve as he says he is, he has the kind of frame that will allow him to do anything that he needs to on the basketball court. I personally like him as a power forward and would love to see him and Jordan Hill and even Anthony Randolph play together if we could somehow pull that off. Morey's brilliant, something good is brewing guys.
The draft is a few days away. We shall see if he drafts -- and keeps -- a freshman like Gay. However, I fear we will be Rudy-ed in the backside again.
I think the #1 priority for the 2010 draft is Yao insurance. He's the biggest make or break, question mark for the future of the franchise. But there are two aspects of that: 1. a credible minute filler for this year and 2. an eventual starter. I don't think you can get a credible minute filler at #14, maybe Orton but if at all possible we need to move up. Barring that, hello Brad Miller and we need to draft a possible future starter project. Even 'project' centers don't come around that often because it is so rare to find someone 7 feet tall who can walk and chew gum, much less one with desire and BB IQ. I am really hoping Whiteside evaluates out to be that pick. But if it isn't him , I still think we can't pass up #14 in 2010 to buy some Yao insurance: Cousins, Aldrich, Orton, Monroe or even to the point of taking Alabi if he is our highest ranked C on the board when we pick.
Whiteside is the best bet for our needs in the middle and practicing against Yao will help his offense. On a side note to your sig it was dream and OT that one the first title glyde was traded for the next season. Those where the days!!!
Practicing against Yao didn't help Eddie Griffin, Chuck Hayes, Stromile Swift's offense. Yao Ming isn't some Chinese basketball sensei that turns raw players into polished stars. This isn't a Karate Kid sequel.
Rockets 4/24/10 Aubrey Coleman SG Houston Senior Rockets 4/24/10 Deon Thompson PF North Carolina Senior Rockets 4/24/10 Jeremy Wise PG NBDL Eligible Rockets 4/24/10 Wayne Chism PF Tennessee Senior Rockets 5/7/10 Bryan Davis F/C Texas A&M Senior Rockets 5/7/10 Kelvin Lewis SG Houston Senior Rockets 5/7/10 Latavious Williams PF NBDL Eligible Rockets 5/7/10 Manny Harris SG Michigan Early Entrant Rockets 5/7/10 Marqus Blakely G/F Vermont Senior Rockets 5/15/10 Courtney Fortson PG Arkansas Early Entrant Rockets 5/15/10 Darington Hobson SF New Mexico Early Entrant Rockets 5/15/10 Elliot Williams SG Memphis Early Entrant Rockets 5/15/10 Samardo Samuels PF Louisville Early Entrant Rockets 5/15/10 Terrico White G Ole Miss Early Entrant Rockets 5/15/10 Willie Warren G Oklahoma Early Entrant Rockets 5/28/10 James Anderson SG Oklahoma State Early Entrant Rockets 5/28/10 Nic Wise PG Arizona Senior Rockets 5/28/10 Paul George SF Fresno State Early Entrant Rockets 5/29/10 Omar Samhan C St. Mary's Senior Rockets 5/29/10 Patrick Patterson PF Kentucky Early Entrant Rockets 5/29/10 Tim Ohlbrecht PF Germany Int.Eligible Rockets 6/14/10 Willie Kemp PG Memphis Senior Rockets 6/15/10 Marqus Blakely G/F Vermont Senior Rockets 6/16/10 Jermaine Beal PG Vanderbilt Senior guys we worked out.
Did we work out Brooks and Landry when we drafted them? I remember most people had no idea who Brooks was, and everyone had no idea who Landry was...
