Houston Rockets 2003 Draft Preview By Bryan McGovern, NBA Analyst (Sports Network) - The Houston Rockets were the talk of the draft last year. The club won the lottery and selected Yao Ming with the first overall pick. Ming averaged 13.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in his rookie season. The biggest move of this offseason was the switch on the sidelines. Rudy Tomjanovich, who coached the franchise to its only NBA championships in 1994 and 1995, was forced to leave his coaching post due to medical reasons. After a thorough search for a permanent replacement, the Rockets agreed to terms with former New York Knicks head coach Jeff Van Gundy. "This is a very exciting time for my family and I," stated Van Gundy, the third-winningest coach in Knicks history. "I am looking forward to working with the talented group of players that [owner Leslie Alexander], Carroll Dawson and Rudy Tomjanovich have assembled. It was important for me to join an organization that was committed to winning a championship. The Rockets have a long history as one of the league’s best organizations." Van Gundy has a .590 career winning percentage as an NBA head coach and led the Knicks to the playoffs in each of his first six seasons. He is 37-32 in the playoffs, having led the Knicks to an NBA Finals appearance in 1999 only to lose to San Antonio. This is clearly the best move the Rockets have made since lucking into Ming. The Ming dynasty will take form under Van Gundy, who is used to having a big- time center after having coached Patrick Ewing in New York. Tomjanovich's Rockets beat the Knicks in the '94 NBA Finals when Van Gundy was an assistant to Pat Riley. The draft, however, is a bit of an afterthought for this franchise this year with so many pieces in place. Dawson and Van Gundy will likely take the best-available player in the second round; Arizona's Luke Walton would be an intriguing addition if he's still around at 44. Starting Lineup: C-Yao Ming, PF-Eddie Griffin, SF-James Posey, SG-Cuttino Mobley, PG-Steve Francis. Bench: F-Maurice Taylor, F/G-Glen Rice, C/F-Kelvin Cato, F-Terence Morris, G- Moochie Norris, F-Bostjan Nachbar, C-Jason Collier. Team Needs: Small forward, bench depth. Draft Selections: 2nd round (44th overall). 06/17 18:47:16 ET
Luke Walton? What position he plays? I did not think SF and he looks undersized for a PF [YOU KNOW HOW WE HATE UNDERSIZED PFs AROUND HERE] Rocket River
Team Needs: Small forward(?) and depth. So we take another SF and bench him behind Rice, Posey, Morris, and Boki? We need mostly a 1-2 guard which is also the weakest position in terms of depth on the team.
At #44, they should just take the best available player. Hook him up with a European contract, let him develop, and hope he pans out down the road.
I agree. At 44 we should just draft te best player available. We got enough average SF, we don't spesifically need another average SF. Don't go by "team needs". Draft the best player available, and maybe we end up with a steel.
I think that Luke Walton could end up being a Wally Szerbiak (sp) type of player. He is undersized for a PF, but I think he could be better than Tmo and they should consider moving Boki to the 2 to back up Mobley... PG...SF, Mooch SG...Cat, BOKI, Posey SF...Posey, Luke Walton, Tmo PF...the 2 pot heads C...obvious
I dont think he will slip to 44, but I really like Brian Cook from Illinois. He is 6-10, can play 3 or 4, really nice jumper, big 10 player of the year. I have seen him as anywhere from a late 1st to a mid 2nd round pick. If he is there he could be a steal (or a flop), at 44 does it really matter?
Luke Walton can't shoot nearly as well as Wally, which, when you think about it, is the only thing that Wally does really well.
if we get LUKE maybe we will get Calvin Murphy AND Bill WALTON to announce our games!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! man wouldn't that be great! ;-)
You talk about pot heads??? Public Service Announcement: Crack kills and impairs one's ability to think rationally (see above post) . 1) Wally is a 2 always been a 2, NEVER played the 4, even going back to the Miami - Ohio days he has always been a shooter, and the only thing he has in common with Luke Walton is he is white. 2) Boki could not guard his shadow, how in the hell will he do when defending 2's night in and night out. God forbid Cat get hurt and Boki starts at the 2, Wilt's 100 pt game could potentially be challenged. (BTW Boki is white, maybe he can be Wally ) 3) Posey could guard a 2, but he could not knock down a shot on a regular basis if his life depended on it. Though it is the most reasonable of your absurd suggestions, it is still not a very good idea. 4) If Luke Walton is ahead of Tmo on the depth chart, or you think he will get more minutes than Tmo, then there is ZERO reason to re-sign Tmo. He could barely get on the court last year, now you move him down in the depth chart??? - - - Oh by the way, he is a free agent - - why would Tmo want to re-sign here if the same players are here and he will not get minutes? 5) You need to stay out of the PF rotation, it is affecting your posts
Agreed. James Lang is the answer... Central Park Christian School - Birmingham, AL Power Foward - 6'10 - 305 Pounds James Lang is a force to be wreckoned with at 6’10 and 305 pounds. Don’t let his size fool you though as he is known for his explosiveness around the basket. Lang plays with a tenacity that coaches beg for in a big man as he averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds per game during his junior season. James committed himself over the summer and dropped 70 pounds to become more elusive on the court. He has no problem running the floor and his stamina keeps on improving. Lang has been the MVP at numerous tournaments and is the Rivals.com No. 1 prospect in the Southeast. Lang is an exceptional rebounder especially on the offensive side of the ball. http://www.sportsline.com/nba/draft/analysis/midwest/HOU
Can you imagine if we did draft Walton for whatever reason? Put him on the court at the same time as Yao and Big Bill the Pothead will think he died and went to Heaven. He'd probably just gurgle once in a while while everyone else talked. Sportsline has us picking Marquis Daniels ATM. Intriguing sounding guy, a combo 2/3 with decent height but rail thin (6'7", 198). Averaged 18.4/6.2/3.3 with 2.3 steals last year as a senior at Auburn. Put up 25/8, 18, and 27/9 in their tournament games. Also had a career high with 38 points on 16-21 shooting. Not a great perimeter player (30.6% from 3-pt range) but shot 51.3% overall. All in all, sounds like a guy who could be a good contrast to Cat and provide a little more size in the backcourt assuming he picks up his outside game.
Power Forward and a shooting guard is what we just need. I thought we had 4 SF and that includes TMO, Posey, Rice and Boki! Jarmaine O'Neal is the answer on 4 guys!
We need to make 2 2-for-1 deals. We have too many decent F's, we need to really good ones. I'm comfortable with Posey at the 3, so I'd love to improve our PF situation. I don't think Walton will fall to 44, apparently he's had some very impressive workouts. Obviously, he's not a starter, because he can't regularly play at any position. He's a great guy to have off the bench though, citing his intangibles, size, and experience. We need to swap SOME depth for SOME more concentrated talent. Ourt alent is too spread out over the roster.
I actually think that the ROX need to pickup a backup point guard like Hollis Price who can shoot the ball. Then the ROX can bench or even better out right cut that "Freaking Gremlin" Moochie Norris!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
