OK, here's my one and only foray this year into Rocket draft blithering. I think the Rockets would do well to take Kentucky guard Keith Bogans with the 44th pick. Here's my reasoning: <ol><b><li>The Rockets' biggest need is backcourt depth. </b>Cuttino Mobley and Steve Francis ranked second and sixth respectively in the league in minutes last year, and that's too many. Every minute per game more you play is like playing two extra games per year. When April rolls around, you want your stars fresh and ready to seal playoff position. Therefore, I think the Rockets will pick a guard in the second round. Why not Bogans? <b><li>Bogans is mature and ready to contribute. </b>He played four years for a pretty good program under Tubby Smith at Kentucky. Smith takes no ****, and if there's pressure in the NBA, it's nothing compared to the pressure Kentucky fans put on you. Bogans handled it all with aplomb. After a poor junior year marked by inconsistency and bad attitude, he pulled himself out of the NBA draft and came back to prove himself. The result? He had his best year as a senior. He answered all critics by improving his consistency, poise, defense, passing, and team play. <b><li>Bogans has an NBA body. </b>He's solidly build and has a good work ethic, At 6-4 or 6-5, 215, he's big enough to play most NBA guards (other than Kobe and McGrady, but no one can handle them), is reasonably quick, and can take a bump and still score. <b><li>Bogans can score. </b>Another weakness last year was offensive droughts. Bogans is a good shooter, but more important, has a good all-around offensive game that includes driving to the hoop and finishing with either hand and stopping for the midrange jumper.</ol> Is he perfect? No, of course not. If he were, he'd go in the first round. He's a little streaky and when his shot's not falling, he can get distracted. He did have a poor junior year when he thought he'd be a first round pick in the NBA, and while his senior year was excellent, he didn't have the gaudy stats an NBA prospect usually has. But he's a solid player used to winning and unafraid of leadership. I think he'd be a great fit with the Rockets. <i>BTW last year I said we should take Boris Diaw in the second round. Well, it he's still there at #44, I take back all of the above and say we should take him instead.</i>
how about Andrew Nicholas? He can play both position... http://www.nba.com/heat/news/draft2003_index.html
NO, by the time the Rockets get on the clock, there will players alot better than Bogans. I don't think he will even get drafted. His shooting is inconsistent and he plays no defense. Taking a chance on Lenny Cooke would be a better choice. If the Rockets want Bogans, wait till about 10p and sign him after the draft.
I am biased, since I am a UK alum. But people who think Bogans can't play will be proven wrong. The guy is rock-solid physically and mentally. And I love the "he can't shoot" argument. I didn't realize that shooting ability was such a mandatory prerequisite to NBA success. Sadly, shooting prowess is far from required in the NBA, and by the way, Bogans can shoot. Maybe not from 25 feet, but his game doesn't require it. I think whoever gets Bogans will get a proven winner, a man with incomparable heart, and a gamer, which puts him 3 steps ahead of virtually everyone else in this draft.
Bogans really stepped it up this year, but I don't think he'll even be drafted. He's not even on most draft lists. But as a FA signee, he'd be a good choice. Give him a chance to win a spot on the roster. He's better than (the soon to be departing) Tito Maddox for sure.
Keith Bogans is a badass. He carried UK at times last season. He's got 4 years of college under his belt. Good leader, good guy, who caught a bad break when he got hurt before the Elite 8 game with Marquette. It's never a bad idea to take a flyer on a big time college player. I'm also a fan of these guys: PG. Brett Nelson, Florida SG. Hollis Price, OU G/F. Jason Kapono, UCLA SG. Luke Walton, Zona PG. Jason Gardner, Zona
The thing is, i think it was more of Rudy's fault that Francis and especially Mobley played so many minutes. Posey could have spelled Cat as well as Hawkins, not to mention they cut Torres in favorof Maddux. When Cat goes out the game, Posey could have slid to the 2 and Morris ,Rice or Nachbar to the 3. When Francis needs a rest, Bring Mobley back in for the 2, Norris at the pg, then whoever at the 3 spot. For all the depth the Rockets had, Rudy did a piss poor job with resting Francis and Mobley. If Jason Kidd only played about 37 mins per night, then no way in hell should Francis and obley play 42 a night.
ptw1: "NO, by the time the Rockets get on the clock, there will players alot better than Bogans. I don't think he will even get drafted. His shooting is inconsistent and he plays no defense. Taking a chance on Lenny Cooke would be a better choice. If the Rockets want Bogans, wait till about 10p and sign him after the draft. Plays no defense? I guess you haven't see him play. He is a streaky shooter, but significantly better than he was as a junior. And in truth, most guards are a little streaky. Anyone you pick in the second round is going to have negatives. E.g. Cooke was cut by an NBDL team! And talk about not playing defense! Anyway, I think Bogans will be drafted, possibly even before the Rockets pick, though I doubt it. But who knows? We'll find out soon enough....
If we had a true drive and dish ball distributor Kapono would be pretty good... that guy can shoot the lights out. He could be a Bullard or Tracy Murray like guy off the bench. Nothing wrong with that. Love Price and Walton, but Gardner has El-Amin written all over him. Doesn't have the athleticism at his size to make an impact in the league.
I agree about Gardner - he's kind of a reach. Here's ESPNs take: 13. Second-round gems. Arizona senior Luke Walton, Maryland senior Steve Blake, the aforementioned Bell, Hansen, Jones, English and Beasley (if they slip), UCLA senior Jason Kapono, Marquette senior Robert Jackson and Ohio's Brandon Hunter would be solid second-round picks who could stick on a roster. All of these players would end up working extremely hard in the summer league to make the roster. They have been humbled during the draft process and are exhibiting a passion to earn a living playing basketball.
Brett Nelson got washed up this year and was eventually replaced by a freshman. I'd take Hollis Price any day of the week. He may be short, but he shoots lights out every game. He's also hit almost every clutch shot I've seen him take. I'm a UT fan and i still like him. Lets pick him up. I'd love Walton too. He may not be great, but could be a spark off the bench.
The sad thing about Bogans is that he peaked in college. He is as good as he's going to get, which ain't that great.
I actually agree on Jason Kapono. I like the idea of what he OR Luke Walton can contribute for the Rockets
Is Kapono any less athletic than Casey Jacobsen? I like his shot to extend the D. Bench-spark, but we do have a use for ANYONE that can hit an outside jumper with enough consistency to avoid having his man collapse on Yao/MoT/Griff (not that Griff commands a double-team, YET).
1.Im amazed you guys are this excited about a future IR placement. 2.No matter who we draft,he will be coined "the first round pick of 2004" 3.IR all season 4.If a 44th pick rookie is a contributer on our team we are in serious depth trouble and have years to go.And I know about Cuttino,he isnt the exception either. Isnt good enough.
Sad to say, Kapono is less athletic than Casey Jacobsen, but a better shooter. He definitely needs someone to get him a look. In my book, Jacobsen thinks he's a better shooter than he actually is.
As a student of UK, I just can not agree with you any more, sad news is he is gone before Rockets even had a chance.
smartfish74: "As a student of UK, I just can not agree with you any more, sad news is he is gone before Rockets even had a chance." Yes, I think the Magic got a good player in Bogans. I hope he gets the same opportunity Tayshaun Prince got in Detroit. Looks like the Rockets were not thinking guard at all! Though this may have simply been a case of "I can't believe he's still there!" According to USA Today and some others, Badiane was a first round pick. I hope the Rockets pursue a guard with their MLE.
