I've been looking hard at Nick Calathes. Shoots the three, wonderful assist man who set the NCAA assist record two years in a row, is big at 6'5". One of the knocks on him is that he may not be quick enough to guard the point. Then I'd think that Brooks plays the two but guards the point, kinda like how chicago uses ben gordon and kirk hinrich. but i have a feeling that calathes is shooting up draft charts, or will be shortly.
There is definitely some hidden talent in this draft, even though it isn't as good as predicted, I think people are underrating it. We are going to need a 7 footer to replace Dikembe and to backup Yao. Unfortunately, the only big guy available around the 20's is BJ Mullens at about 26. I think the Rockets should not look for a backup Center in the draft but try to get one through FA or through a trade (we saw what happened with Dorsey who was supposed to contribute immediately, wasn't able so we had to sign Deke back). As for players from the 15 and up, my mind has been changed alot. I used to really like Dejuan Blair but am starting to feel that he might not have the hops or the size to contribute in the NBA. He is a great rebounder but will get out rebounded with the big guys. I used to really like Jeff Teague as well but he is more of an undersized SG a la Aaron Brooks. He lacks passing skills and we really need a guy who can feed it to Yao. As for players I like today, -Eric Maynor is making my list. At 6-2 this guy has it to be a great PG. He has a great IQ and can read the floor really well - something we have been lacking with Brooks... He can also score, just as Brooks, and take it to the rack agressively. The guy could be a sleeper. -B.J. Mullens is also there. As I said, he is probably the only 7 footer available at that point in the draft. He is definitely a project and wouldn't contribute right away - I believe he declared waaay to early. Could be a steal if the guy is ready to work. -Jrue Holiday, probably my favorite. The NBA has proven that you don't need to be very athletic to be a great guard. At 6-3 Jrue has the size and basketball IQ to do what we need our PG to do, which is deliver the ball to Yao. Most of my friends at UCLA where so excited when they heard he was going to come to there college. He was great in High School and can be great in the NBA. Its all about development, I think Jrue can become a great player. -Sam Young. Last but not least this guy was a great college player. He's more of a Ron Artest kind of guy, solid D, average "settle for the 3pt shot" offensive player. He's also on my list. So as you can see around the 20's there are many many PG's. I don't think the Rockets will go after one since they are trying to develop our two young guns, even though the management has expressed some interest for second rounder Patrick Mills. Seeing the lack of size in this draft, I think the Rockets will make a draft&trade move like they did with Donte Greene to try to get us a big man to backup Yao. James White will most likely be our wing prospect next year along with Joey Dorsey who still has to prove he can make the roster. Of course, the ideal pick for us would be Hasheem Thabeet. But I doubt the only real 7footer of this draft will fall at 15..
That is a very good assesment of where we are at. Hopefully we wake up and see that Brooks is not a starter and take a chance on Patty Mills. As everyone can tell I'm excited about Mills and it is not just because he is Australian, but because I think he is an upgrade over Brooks.
I want a young but experienced guy to join the Rox. A draft pick for stashing purposes. Give me a Euro or a LaFrentz, if healthy. Trade for Brand. Trade (SnT) for Dre. Maybe Childress. But, unless Blake or Rubio is coming the draft is for a true faller, a sleeper - or a stasher. I don't want more learning curve from the 1 (unless Rubio). I want Browery and/or I want a decided, absolute upgrade.
I get the feeling Bowery is going to get split in the off-season. Maybe the Rockets trade for a vet PG and use the 3rd PG slot on a young prospect?
Yes, Patrick Mills. We have a better chance of finding a future starting PG with three prospects rather than 2.
I would say Mills already has plenty of experience. AIS, U19 world Championships, Beijing Olympics and 2 years in College. Its more experience then most 20y/o
I can tell you guys are aussie just from your argument for Patrick Mills We have two solid speedy and athletic point guards. My assumption is that the rockets staff aim to develop them both further into running the Rockets system better instead of finding a replacement. We need size to backup Yao. Who will defend the paint when Yao gets in foul trouble? Our second largest player is Scola, and he is no 7 footer. I'd like for us to get a draft pick around the 25's, but are there any big men available at this spot? (6'11+)
Patty Mills will be batter than Brooks. I am 100% sure about that. Also being Australia has nothing to do with it. I was one of the only people in this damn country that was talking down Andrew Bogut. If you knew me personally you would know how un-excited I am about Australian Basketballer. Patty Mills is the only Aussie in the American system, I am excited about. He is good on the defensive end, he can shoot, he can pass and he has good composure. Mills and Lowry with Brooks disspearing into the background with Marbury, M. James and Francis.
As to who might sell, you need a combination of the following: Team in financial straits Pick outside of the top 15 Fairly full roster Rudderless organization Stingy owner I don't see the top 5 trading out (Kings, Wiz, Clips, Thunder, Wolves) My list: Grizzlies (#27) Wolves (#18, #28) Sixers (#17) Hornets (#21) Pacers (#13) Kings (#23) Teams that would probably deal their pick in a weak trade Bobcats (#12) Nets (#11) Bucks (#10) Warriors (#7) Raptors (#9) Suns (#14) If we do make a move, in a draft this spotty, I'd have to think that Morey would line up a trade where a team selects for us if the guy we target falls to them. The Wolves make a lot of sense to trade with.
Agree. The Grizzlies have offically become our trading partner (SF3, Dorsey, Swift, Battier, Lowry), following by the Wolves. By the way, the Magic owe us one since we gave them our starting pg...
Knowing Morey he will take the best player available if the rockets buy a pick and fill the teams priorities through trades and free agency.
http://westvirginia.scout.com/2/864916.html http://www.philly.com/dailynews/spo...hristmas_to_work_out_for_eight_NBA_teams.html http://www.thevindicator.com/articles/2009/05/12/news/news10.txt http://www.freep.com/article/20090511/SPORTS03/905110352 http://blog.nola.com/lsusports/2009/05/nba_teams_need_shooters_and_ls.html
I won't even start to speculate on who we'll take. None of us wanted Brooks or Landry. None of us were excited about those picks. Now? Obviously they were brilliant picks. The only time Morey has chosen someone predictable, Donte Green, it was just to trade him. I'll say this though - people focusing on a position of need are barking up the wrong tree. Morey is ONLY going to look for the best player available. He places a lot of importance on accumulating assets. And so far, I'm loving it.
