Partly true, but partly due to circumstances. There are reasons good teams seem to be good talent evaluators. When you're already at the top, you are looking for solid role players in the draft. Guys who don't have to come in immediately and be all-stars. When you make those picks and they pan out, fans remember. When they turn out even better, fans think the organization is great. The Rockets last year were looking to move into that category of top team every year. They had a low draft choice an got Luther Head, who, despite 2nd half of the year struggles, clearly outplayed his draft position. I don't expect him to ever be an all-star, but he shoudl continue to improve. Picking at the top of the draft, though, while potentially enormously rewarding, tends to carry more risks, as well. Just saying, had the Spurs not gotten Duncan all those years ago, we probably wouldn't be talking right now about how they are such a solid organization...or the Mavs not gotten Nowitzki, or the Heat not gotten Wade. You've really got to nail your lotto pick, then it is easier to fill around with lower draft choices...which is why the Rockets should still be highly confident about next year. They have Yao and T-Mac. Last year's team played exactly 0 games before people started getting injured (Bob Sura before the season), or 1 game if you don't count Sura's inury (Tracy was out after the first game) I believe this will be a successful draft for the Rockets precisely because they don't have to look to this lotto pick as a savior. He can be a role player who doesn't necessarily start year one, who joins a talented team, that, when healthy, is a playoff threat to all but the top 2 or 3 teams in the league. While still being a player that has potential to grow into an all-star. Carney concerns me because he is already a senior and his weaknesses continue to be his weaknesses. On the other hand, if he can really play SG, than he does have some obvious strenghts and is apparently a good spot-up shooter, which would give us a tall, athletic backcourt.
What does anyone think about trying to get sheldon williams and jj redick with this draft. Williams can realistically go at the #8 pick and jj could slip into the late teens or early 20s like jameer nelson a couple years ago. Do you think anyone would take swift and the 32 or swift and a future #2 for a pick that lands us redick. We would get two guys with experience, who have played in big games at a big time program, and that were superstars but wouldnt have to be on this team. Willams helps us with rebounding and defense, and jj maybe scores 8 a game but effects how often teams can double yao and t-mac.
I'd like to see us pull a deal for either J.J. or Novak, provided we weren't relying on J.J. to be our starting SG. Not to say, he couldn't turn out to be the starting SG, but I would want some sort of contingent plan that gave us another solid defending, shooting 2/3 that we could depend on to start until J.J. proved he was a net positive on the court. In my opinion, J.J. has a place in this league as a shooter but he has not proven he can play on the defensive end in the NBA and not be a huge liability there. He'll have to prove that on the floor.
JJ's defensive weakness is another reason I think drafting both he and williams will work. Williams is a great defender and can help out JJ if he gets burned like he did at Duke. Also whats is really nice about them both is they unquestionably got better each year and continued to improve (Williams on offense and at the free throw line, and JJ becoming more then just a college jump shooter). I agree JJ should not start right away, but why cant he be a Steve Kerr type player. Put him in the game and if he is off sit him down, and if he is lights out ride it for whatever extra points he can give. Just think of JJ waiting at the three point line for Yao to kick it out. Even better, JJ has said he knows he wont be a star in the NBA. First step to being a great role player is knowing you are a role player.
When I think of getting better I think of "How are we going to beat teams like Dallas and Phoenix?" Both of those teams can go to a "run and gun" small line up and try to beat us. Well if we pick up Carney and James in the offseason imagine this (for one of our smaller, athletic and speedy rotations): TMac, Swift, Carney, MJames (or Alston), Head. This line up can put up some points while Yao gets some much needed rest on the bench. When Yao comes back in we can beat em' with our bigger line up. We all know how well Yao plays when he is rested. He attributed his great play toward the end of this last season to the rest he got during his injury. I think acquiring Carney with hopes of getting MJames gives us length and athleticism which transaltes into good offense and defense.
Sorry for not responding earlier but I've been out of town. To answer your question: I really don't have a preference because I really believe that the player they pick at #8 won't be given a real opportunity next season. That's because next season is a "put up" or "shut up" season for JVG. If this team doesn't look and play better then he's almost certainly gone and he knows this fact better than anyone else. Hence, I expect him to go with what he knows and that means veteran players who don't match up very well with their counterparts in the West. I just can't see him devoting much playing time to a rookie player - especially the kind of non-spectacular player that they'll be getting in this draft - not when his job is on the line. They SHOULD be able to get a good solid player but then again nothing is certain considering who will be doing the drafting. I'm not totally pessimistic about the next season as they still have a chance to make the playoffs as a low seed but I just don't expect that much more from this team until it gets fully rebuilt and that could take 2 or so more years.
You'd think that JJ Redick was the first NBA player to ever be a defensive liability! People here hate him already. If he gets by-passed by the Rockets and succeeds with the Jazz the Redick-hating will become really intolerable...
What you have to consider is the 8th pick. There are a few Kyle Korver's floating around in the 2nd round every year. If Carney doesn't improve greatly on his desire to succeed, intangibles or handle, he isn't going to be worth a #8 pick. He is just going to be a tall shooter who has some athletic finishes ALA Stromile Swift. So if Houston doesn't get Roy, who helps them immediately next year, they might look at the 2 next best prospects that fill their need, Ronnie Brewer and Maurice Ager. Perimeter defense, penetration and playmaking.
Rodney Carney (on his hot shooting during the workout) “I can shoot the ball well. That’s what I’ve been working on with my trainer. I think I might be lacking a little bit in one-on-moves, but this was my first workout, so it was kind of hard not knowing what was coming.” (on his combination of shooting and athletic ability) “Everyone says I’m the best athlete in the draft, but they don’t know that I can shoot as well as I do. I was the leading 3-point shooter in the history of Memphis, but people don’t know that. Now during workouts, I can show people what I can do as far as shooting the ball.” (on what he needs to improve) “I need to work on my one-on-one skills, and I’ll be straight. For me it’s about moves and creativity, because I feel like I can handle the ball OK, and pretty well for my size. But it could be better.” http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/draft_workouts052406.html I would still be happy with Carney at the eight spot, however redick does seem to be next on my list.
Rodney Carney - Memphis On how he did today: “I think I did ok. It was a lot of one-on-one, a couple shooting drills, but mostly one-on-one and two-on-two. I did my thing, and hopefully they’ll see my ability and it will fit this team.” On if he can play the 2 position: “I can play some two. But basically, wherever a team wants me. If they say five, I’ll play five. I can shoot the ball, I can dribble and handle the ball. But that is my weakness, handling the ball. But I can get a lot better if I get some time to work on it. So I can be a two, I can be a three, wherever the team wants me to be I can be.” On what area of his game has improved the most over the past year: “Aggressiveness and handling the ball. I’ve improved on it a lot, but it’s still a weakness of mine, in my opinion. I’ve got control of it more now.” On if 11th would be low for him in the draft: “It’ll be a great fit for me to come here, to me it doesn’t matter how high I go, how low I go, as long as I get picked. I just want to get with a team and help them progress and get to a championship or how far along we can get.” On living with and working out with Tracy McGrady: “It’s helped me a lot. He’s off the chart skill wise. And he’s teaching me some of his moves. We’re lifting together, and I’m getting a lot bigger and a lot stronger. And we’re really becoming great friends. It’s been a great opportunity getting to work with him. Having him take me in his house, work with his trainer and I’m getting better because of it.” On if McGrady talked to him about the Magic: “Yeah, he told me about the Magic, told me it’s a good program. Hopefully they can take me, but if not, I hope I go somewhere good. But, this would be a good fit for me.” On if he played with Memphis teammate Shawne Williams: “Yeah. I know his game, he knows mine. I know he’s good around the basket so I try to put him in good positions and let him score. And me I got better, so I can score off various things. He’s seeing me as a better player now, and I’m seeing him as a better player now. And it’s kind of fun to meet up here, rather than in Memphis.” http://www.nba.com/magic/news/Magic_Hold_First_Batch_of_Draf-181509-800.html
Work on his aggressivness? Man, no thanks....I want a competitor, we have enough passive players already. DD
I'm intrigued with this PF named Alexander Johnson..anyone knows about him? I've read in an article that the Rox are bringing him in for another workout...if he could be one of the under the radar guys, maybe we could package our 8th with Orlando or New Orleans...
id be ok if we went with Alexander Johnson, He is roughly the same type of athlete as stromile, but i think he will have a better impact in the NBA
Well I think the Rockets should take Redick. And everyone here bashes Redick and the notion of taking him because of defense while saying a guy like Carney could or is such a great defender. Well Morrison and Carney just had a head to head and the result was about as ugly as you could possibly imagine. I will say this for carney he appears to be huble because he gave Morrison due props. Anyone who thinks this guy is going to be a great defender is on wishful thinking.
Unfortunately, our Rox are famous for going under the radar for guys with very bad results. If we pass known talent for a 13 and 7 junior (one season becase he rode the pine his first two years) labeled by his own coach as an "underachiever" with "motor" problems, then my faith in brass will be completely gone. Besides, don't we already have his twin brother? Does anyone remember our last under the radar guy? Boki! Griffin! Maybe our radar just might need some adjustments!!!
That's why I suggested Brewer at #8 over Carney. I love Carney's athleticism, shooting and "potential." But the low motor scares me. The Rockets need some fire and grit! I still remember when Tmac said he was going to make Stro and all star. Tmac wasnt able to inspire Stro, can he inspire Carney? who knows?
why do yall want shelden??? i know he was good at duke but he cant shoot good and other then defend...whcih he did get away with some fouls that is all he can do...basically his man could doulbe yao in the post cuz u dont have to worry bout williams hitting a shot...our need is a big SG carney, roy or gay would do but im starting to grow on JJ cuz imagin him tmac and yao all being on the same side of the court u cant doulbe any of them cuz if u do they all can make u pay in a big way
dont forget tmac played iwth him what 1 game stro will be much better when he doesnt HAVE to score 20 points for the rocekts to win....with tmac and yao healthy he will look much better next year
