Well dough!!! Come on, of course there are guys who have ability after the 9th pick. The picks everyone considers safe. If a team blows it, that's because a combination of things happened such as no effort on the player. Gabe Mounekee said it best, "just because a player get picked 5 and I get picked 55 doesn't mean that he's a better player." Of course it's not a definite answer. That just means that as of the point in the draft that guy drafted with the 5th pick was better and had a better upside potential. But come on, to get a good player after the top 10 picks you have to have a lot of luck, great scouting, and a player with a lot of heart and ability. "Bold statement" ha!!! a realistic statement though. The later that a team picks the less likley that the player taken will tough it out in the league. The 9th pick to have isn't the worst to have!! That's ma storee an um sticking 2 IT. ------------------
But come on, to get a good player after the top 10 picks you have to have a lot of luck, great scouting, and a player with a lot of heart and ability. If you look at some of the past lottery picks, the chances of your acquiring a stud player in the lottery is not exactly that great, either. The fact that your chances are better at getting a good player in the top 10 than with a lower pick... well umm... that's not exactly rocket science. LOL! ------------------ ? [This message has been edited by Dr of Dunk (edited May 21, 2000).]
I think it says a lot that guys who are projected to be lottery picks at the beginning of a year drop to the late first round (or even the second round), and guys who are projected to go late first round at the beginning of the year end up in the lottery. I take that to mean it's all a gamble. Whoever comes on strong during the year increases their stock. (Kind of like having a great preseason and getting signed to a $42 million deal. ) ------------------
Well then give away the pick if you so choose to. There are teams who have blown it after having the top pick in the Draft. Aw chucks, that means every team will blow it then. Boo hoo. Rocket science!!!!! After all is said and done I'd take my chances with any one of these players Martin, Mihm, Fiezer, Swift, Moiso, Miller, Richardson, Alexander, Johnson, and Miles over players that are coming after. Sure there might be one or five players after that that at one point make an all star team, but realistically the top 10 picks of every draft are the perenial all stars. Play advocate all you want but, picking at the 9th spot looks sweet. ------------------
Here is a list, from the Houston Chronicle, of the past #9 picks from the draft, very interesting. YEAR PLAYER 1999 Shawn Marion* 1998 Dirk Nowitzki* 1997 Tracy Mcgrady* 1996 Samaki Walker 1995 Ed Obanon 1994 Eric Montross 1993 Rodney Rogers 1992 Clarence weatherspoon 1991 Stacey Augmon 1990 Willie Burton 1989 Tom Hammonds 1988 Ron Seikaly 1987 Derrick Mckey 1986 Brad Sellers 1985 Charles Oakley 1984 Otis Thorpe 1983 Dale Ellis 1982 Cliff Levingston 1981 Rolando Blackman 1980 Michael Brooks After seeing how well the last three drafts have panned out, for teams selecting with the ninth pick, I can't help but feel positive about the Rockets chances-either way. ------------------ [This message has been edited by ROCKETBOOSTER (edited May 21, 2000).]
Oh yeah booster!!!! Some sweet players can come out of the 9th spot and if the Rockets don't see anything worth taking they can always trade that pick away because as of this point those top 9 players all look tempting!!!! You bet ya that there are a lot of teams that would love to get these guys on their rosters. Like I said, the Rockets by just staying in the top 9 picks achieved their goal!!!! Picking less than 9 would be catastrophic. ------------------
There might not be any good PFs or Cs left by #9; most of the likely top picks appear to be these positions. We don't need any more guards, or another SF. What then? Seems to me that #9 - or whoever we pick - could more likely be trade fodder. The Clips could use either a PG or SG... ------------------
Lets re-draft Willie Burton ------------------ CUT Tino Isn't it amazing how quickly everyone did a Cat Backflip!!!!!
LOL! Arvo Smeg. Where where you during the lottery? Asleep? You, Surf, and Bob were no-shows! ------------------ ?
After the top 9 players are drafted in the NBA draft, then there is nobody who will lead a team as either a 1st option or a 2nd option into a championship. The players who can lead a team are K.Martin, Swift, Fiezer, Mihm, Demar Johnson, Mike Miller, Richardson, Darius Miles, and Jerome Moiso; to a lesser extent Alexander. With the 9th pick a decent pick will arise from that. ------------------
Vince: that's a pretty bold statement you make there. I wouldn't be to quick to make that statement considering all the great players taken late in the first and even in the second round of drafts. Hell, there are hall of famer's that were picked late. ------------------ "No one gets out ALIVE!" SaveOurRockets.com
Man, there's no guarantee each of the first nine picks pans out either, let alone become a first or a second option on a championship team. I'm sure every year, someone makes the same statement about the top players being prime time players, etc. Then, Tractor Traylor, Eric Montross, etc. actually play in the league and confirm what pot luck is actually involved in the draft. I'm just happy the Rockets have such a proven track record in drafting. This gives me hope that we'll get something good. ------------------
