shot like crazy during the final 16 and flopped and didn't score well. Shows his choke factor and he won't score if he gets hustled in college and can't score then in the nba he wont stand a chance
Between a shooter and a slasher/penetrator, Rox needs a slasher/penetrator more than it needs a shooter. The NEW NBA values penetrator/slasher much higher as a penetrator can penetrate and pass the balls to open teammates. T-mac is not a penetrator/slasher anymore, he operates mostly outside. You don't need a shooter like JJ, but you need absolutely a slasher right now.
What? Tmac is a slasher penetrator, in fact, he is the PRIMARY one to do that. The Rockets need smart players who can hit wide open shots generated off of Yao and Tmac's playmaking abilities. DD
One game? You are talking about one game? The hatred around here for a guy who can do the one thing the Rockets need most is astounding. Shooting is the most important thing you do on the basketball court, and the main reason the Rockets sucked last year was a lack of shooting ability. Any rookie we bring in is more than likely not going to be a big factor, UNLESS they can shoot and make an entry pass to Yao. We don't need to copy the rest of the NBA, just build our own team around our own strengths....... DD
No one is arguing Redick's ability to shoot. They are questioning his ability to defend and (not clearly stated) the Rockets' ability to set the screens he needs to get his shot off on faster, taller defenders. Could we compromise on Rudy Fernandez? He has a quick release shot, the ability to penetrate and dish, long arms and quick hands and feet on defense, and superior "handles," i.e. ability to dribble and pass with either hand even in traffic. In addition, Fernandez is taller, has range and can play PG.
It's strange some of these fellows will go nuts over a guy like Boki -- then bash the hell out of a true talent like Reddick. I think if Reddick had played for any school besides Duke opinions would the opposite of what we are seeing now around CFnet.
Actually, I will support whomever the Rockets decide to draft, including JJ Redick. But it is astounding to me to read some people's reaction to what our team's needs are..... We have two great players, and need to fill in the components around them....we need a good shooter and a good rebounder/shot blocker. Then we need players off the bench who can create havok and create their own shots or shots for others. More than likely a rookie will not be any of the players I just described. Heck, Luther was ok, but if he wants to be a real contributor he needs to learn how to dribble and run the point. DD
As the Rockets need six new players, either from the Draft, Trades or Free Agency, the Rookies will be significant. [in two offseasons, to replace Mutombo,Wesley, Bowan, Howard, Swift etc. ] If JVG won't use his new rookies then we are going to have trouble . We are so poor that the two new rookies should play a role as they learn the NBA Game. Head will never be a Point Guard, he is a shooter and a scorer and should be making a decent contribution to the team once again. Remember he was a top 10 Rookie last year!
You said it, one guy who can shoot, rebound and block shots, that sure isn't JJ Redick. Don't forget about getting a guy that can create his own shot as well, one of the keys to the Mavs getting to the finals this year was Avery getting the Mavs not to settle for the outside shot like in previous years.
No doubt, and for all you people comparing the Rockets to the Mavs makeup, it just isn't going to happen. We have a LOW post player, who creates a mismatch down there each and every game. You have to build around Yao, and Tmac.........we are not the Mavs and never will be, we are more like the Heat or Spurs.... We need 2 major pieces and a bunch of minor ones.....and Swift may already be one of the pieces, if he ever gets off his butt and plays hard each night. I actually do not think the Rockets are that far from competing for a title, no panic from me concerning this last year, it was an aberation. The main priortiy for the Rockets as I see it is someone who can knock down the 3pt jump shot off of Tmac's penetration and/or Yao's low post pass out. JJ fits that role perfectly. And Tiger.....I was referening to TWO players needed, not one. DD
DD - Sorry, I would still rather pick a Josh Howard type player no matter what the team style of play is, someone that can have an impact on both sides of the ball. Look at what he did yesterday, scored, rebounded and defended. Read on Draftexpress (it was only a comment from one of the BB admins) that JJ got shut down in the one on ones by Carney at the Warriors workouts, I know its no surprise that JJ won't do well in the workouts but it has to make NBA teams wonder how well his game is going to transfer to the NBA.
There is noway the Rockets should pick Reddick at #8, Period! The league is full of these kind of players ie: Korver, Hoilberg, Piatowski, Wally, Stoudimire, and on and on. Would you trade the #8 pick for any of these guys?? I don't think so...... If we trade down to late teens or twentys, then maybe. But if you players in the second round like R.Anderson, Novak, and Gansey, then why waste a first rounder on him. I'm sure the D-league has plenty also. Please, get over this wild fascination.
What good does a slasher penetrator do when he kicks it out to an open teammate who bricks the jump shot. Alston can drive and kick only to have wesley or bogans miss. Same goes for Tmac and Yao kicking it out of double teams. We have to remember we can not be like every other team in this "New" NBA because our best player is 7'6, which no other team has. We need to play off Yao's strengths which are commanding a double team and passing out to someone who will make teams pay.
If you are gonna base choke factor on one game, I guess Yao and Tmac are chokers for their performance in game 7 vs. mavs. What about the 41 jj put up against texas in a 1 vs. 2 matchup, or the huge game he had against their biggest rival UNC at UNC to win, or the huge threes against BC in the ACC final. Yes redick did not win the title at Duke, but either did Carney, Brewer, Morrison, Roy, or Duncan or Josh Howard for that matter. They must all be choke artists.
Do you really think any of those players could have scored 27 ppg for Duke and been the Naismith college player of the year? Wally World came closest averaging 24 ppg for Miami of Ohio in his junior and senior years.
In the Duke System? Yes. Any of them. How many times have players looked great at Duke only to fail miserably in the NBA. Remember Chris Carawell, Bobby Hurley, and Trajon "the Alaskan Assasin" Langdon. Langdon came out highly decorated only to bounce around and is now playing in Russia. Don't believe everything Dickie V. says...... Not to take anything away from JJ, but I wouldn't draft him at #8. Lets say his shot isn't falling, how else is he gonna contribute? Not on defense, not rebounds, and certainly not slashing to the basket.
Trajon Langdon and Bobby Hurley topped out at 17 ppg for Duke. Trajon Langdon was second fiddle to Elton Brand. Bobby Hurley (like Jay Williams) got into a motor vehicle accident that ruined his career. Redick averaged 27 ppg last season and is the all-time leading scorer in the ACC (a conference where players like Elton Brand, James Worthy, Tim Duncan, and Michael Jordan all played). They are not comparable. JJ Redick was more dominant at Duke than Laettner ever was, and Laettner was an 18 ppg scorer for quite a while in the NBA. Redick should be compared to other Duke superstars like Grant Hill and Elton Brand, not supporting players that were 2nd or third options and couldn't score 20ppg.
people are forgetting this is not about what he did at duke. this about PROJECTING his game at the next level. in case you haven't noticed there are A LOT of 6'4 type-sized lights out shooters in the nba. there have been a lot of great college scorers who never even stepped foot in the nba. it's not about how great you were against college players, it's about how well you match up and fair against the unbelievable physical specimens that the nba will run at you. i'm telling you as great as the ACC is, there aren't any dwyane wade's, tracy mcgrady's, kobe bryant's, ron artest's, lebron james's, etc. playing EVERYNIGHT. the nba is completely different beast. jj is going to get a chance to prove himself but it is NOT going to be a slam dunk that he's going to even be a starter in the nba, because he just can't matchup with those guys for 35+ minutes a night.
Look at the names you picked out. Carrawell, Hurley, and Langdon were not National Players of the year in college. You can not compare them to JJ. If you want to compare Duke players who were POY, what about Brand, Battier, Laettner, Hill and Jay Williams. Williams was injured so he doesnt count. Battier and Laettner were/are solid contributors, Brand and Hill were/are superstars. I think Sheldon Williams is a better fit for the Rox right now, but wont have any problems if they pick JJ. I just hope they can drop two or three slots to get him and get another pick somewhere.
