Not alot of info on details, but I though I would post this afternoons ESPN insider stuff. NBA Workout Watch Jay Williams: Williams is all set for a two-day workout with the Bulls on June 13 and 14. Williams has worked out only for Golden State, which has the third pick in the draft. The Bulls pick second. Houston owns the top pick but is deep in the backcourt, and agent Bill Duffy told the Chicago Tribune no visit is confirmed there. Drew Gooden: He's headed to Houston today to work out with high school star Amare Stoudemire. On Saturday, Gooden will work out in Chicago with Nene Hilario and he's just added a workout with the Knicks on the 29th along with Marcus Haislip, Melvin Ely and Darius Songaila. Caron Butler: Had an impressive workout in Houston Thursday along with Kareem Rush and Aaron McGhee. Now he's off to New York today for a workout with the Knicks Dajuan Wagner: Wagner battled Illinois' Frank Williams Thursday. Arkansas point guard Jannero Pargo (who's on the rise himself) said he didn't see a big difference. "They seem pretty even," Pargo told the Chicago Sun Times. "Their quickness is about the same, and they're both big guys who were hard to move." Qyntel Woods: Worked out in Phoenix Thursday against Amare Stoudemire. After the workout Woods said his game still needs a little work. "My main weakness at this point is my defense right now. I probably didn't push myself hard enough," he told NBA.com. "Right now probably the three. But I could see myself playing the two if I develop my ball handling, get a little quicker, foot speed." Maybyner "Nene" Hilario: Worked out in Indiana Thursday. He'll be in Chicago Saturday, where he'll match up against Drew Gooden and Notre Dame's Ryan Humphrey. Jared Jeffries: He'll be in Memphis Monday with Humphrey. Amare Stoudemire: He worked out for a second straight day in Phoenix. Afterward, he was confident that the he'd improved his stock. "If I get drafted by Phoenix that would be a great thing," he told NBA.com. "You know, I'd be the best thing since Charles Barkley." Next up for Stoudemire is Drew Gooden and the Rockets today. Dan Dickau: Dickau worked out in Milwaukee Thursday against Cincinnati's Steve Logan, Maryland's Juan Dixon and Oklahoma State's Maurice Baker. He works out Saturday in Memphis against Juan Dixon and Kei Madison. Casey Jacobsen: Casey worked out with the Lakers Thursday against Marshall's Tamar Slay. He also has workouts scheduled with Phoenix Monday and the Clippers Wednesday. Jason Jennings: The big center had his first big workout Thursday in Memphis against Illinois' Robert Archibald and Oregon's Chris Christoffersen. Asked if anything about the workouts surprised him, Griz director of player personnel Tony Barone said, "Jennings's athleticism. I've seen him play a number of times and he's got a long way to go," Barone told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "But his athleticism was pretty good." Barone said the Grizzlies are looking for bigs. "Size is an issue. We're midgets and we need size. We're going to look at as many big guys as we can find." Carlos Boozer: Boozer is scheduled to work out today in Denver with high school prospect DeAngelo Collins, Cincinnati's Steve Logan and Shaw's Ronald Murray.
No visit by J-Will to Houston? I never considered him an option, and this further confirms that. There's still time, but IMO, as far as #1 goes, it's Yao or trade, and they're focusing on working things out with Yao, and as a backup option, looking at guys in that 3-8 range where they may trade down to, as well as for their 2 other picks. I'd be really interested in seeing how Jared Jeffries' workout went the other day. He seems to be the guy that isn't getting the buzz because of Dunleavy, Tskitishvili, Butler, and Woods, and could be there at 15. Jeffries vs. Nachbar is an interesting call-kind of different players: Nachbar has the shot, but Jeffries has great size, and versatility, but may lack the quickness and range on his shot.
But why are the Rockets so quiet about the workouts? Are the afraid it would be an insult to Ming, if they spoke highly of anybody else in the top spots (Woods, Dunleavy, Butler, etc..). Interesting Gooden is here for a workout with Amaire.
Too much traffic at the moment. People are distracted. Had it not been for Ming, you would have heard.
I'll say it again. Butler will be the best player from this draft. I have nothing against Ming...heck any other year I would want us to pick him. But Caron is too good...the real deal. 99% Rockets pick Ming tho....darn...oh well.
Thanks. Good lookin out, barbourdg. AMEN!! Caron Butler will be the best player in this draft, not only because he's got skills, but because he's got grit and heart and plays defense. I mean, I'm not all against drafting Ming (okay, I am), but Caron will be a beast. He wants to play for the Rockets, too. See the news last night? He expressed his interest of being in Houston point-blank. He thinks he'd fit in good here. I think you'd fit in good here too, Caron. But you know, if the Rockets choose anyone but Yao Ming people will be wanting Steve Francis' head. And that's unfair, because I think we're making a huge mistake by drafting Ming. That of course is just my opinion.
Dont be shocked if we walk away with Bulter or Dunleavy (trading down). If I am not mistaken, I remember reading that Francis was in love with Bulters performance in the NCAA tournament. Also if you remember when NBA players were making their mocks for the NCAA tournament (not the finals), Steve hand wrote Dunleavey scoring 30-40 points (or something). He must really like Dunleavey as well. My take on Francis is that he does not want to wait on a project, and regardless which side of the Ming bandwagon your on, literally every scout/writer feels Ming will take a couple of years to adjust to the NBA (see Wang). Add to the fire that he will not be allowed to practice with the Rockets (summer leagues/training camp/preseason) for at least 3-4 years, he might take years to adjust (see pops post). regardless, I am still 50/50 about Ming.
Yes, he may very well turn out to be a perennial All-Star. Actually, most people on the BBS wanted Butler before we won the lottery. He doesn't have any real weaknesses to speak of. He carried his UConn team to the Final Four last year. Although UConn lost 90-82, Butler poured in 32 points on 9-14 shooting, with 7 rebs, and 4 assists. Meanwhile, he shut down Byron Mouton, who finished with 4 points. Butler has all the makings of a star. He is a big game player, and he'd fit right in on this Rockets team. Hopefully he impressed Rudy enough, to force him to trade down. Butler is a safe choice, who brings alot to the table.
What would really be unfair.. is if people actually thought Francis was the reason we passed on YM ,based on some bs rumor posted on the internet.
While we're making predictions I think Tsika will be the best player out of this draft. He's a mixture of Dirk (the stroke) and KG (tall guy who has SF skills). I think Ming will be the 2nd best, but will probably take longer to develop than all but Stoudemire and Woods. Ming will also be a center, where he can have fewer overall skills than a Tsika or Butler but because he plays against guys at his position that are significantly less talented than him he is much more valuable.
Clutch, Doc Rocket, Popeye, Oeilpere, Do you have any info on the Butler workout? hey don't have much on it, I thought you guys might have some more insider info? Thx.
Mango responding to UConn not being in last year's final four Should I use this as my new sig? This is common knowledge for a legitimate college hoops fan. Maryland beat UConn in the elite eight. I dissapointed in you Mango.
Kim, Could you provide a link with info about the Final Four last year of OU, IU, KU and Maryland..... as stated by MDuke? Mango
I think his only weakness is he may only be 6 foot 6 inches tall. I concur he's a much better bet than Ming. But our trading down scenarios are pretty limited since he may be the fourth or fifth player chosen.
