CBS: Brief Scouting reports on Morris, Martin, Mimh, etc. Summary too.

Yeah also when Cato gets back.

 

With the thinking that we will, in all probability, select somewhere around the 4th to 7th picks, I might just take my chances with a high schooler. It's too early to look into the high school ranks at this point, but later on, I think we definitely need to give it consideration.

Morris and Richardson are the only two college players that impress me [worthy of a Top-5].

Kenyon Martin I am not impressed by at all. Until I see him doing more than just out-athleticizing his opponent, I won't be sold. You can't jump over every power forward in the NBA.

I have eased down a bit on my criticism of Mihm, but he seems too sluggish to be able to dominate at a pro-level.

If in actuality, the Rockets time comes with the #4 pick, and both Morris and Richardson are off the board, I take my chances with a high schooler. I heard earlier of some kids with Kevin Garnett-type molds, and I think that type of player is exactly what we need. A long-bodied, athletic, shot-blocking fool, somewhere around 6'10-6'11.

Obviously Morris is my top choice. Even though we already have both Mobley and Anderson, if Richardson was on the board [and Morris already gone] I would draft Richardson, [with the "pick the best player available" philosophy]. Then, after draft day, wheel and deal with your surplus. If Richardson and Morris are both gone, I take my chances on a flyer.

Here's another suggestion: Package the Detroit pick [which will most probably end up in the 17-25 range] with Mobley and move into the lottery. That gives you two lottery picks. Spend the higher one on a sure-thing [Morris-Richardson] and the other on a high-schooler. Mobley, Drew, and Kenny Thomas are all guys who I see as nice players but not firmly entrenched in our future plans. All have good trade value and I would not hesitate to deal them for a higher pick.

At this point Francis+Anderson+Cato is your nucleus. Build from there and use the others to trade up.

 

Not a bad idea Cabbage. I like that..

 

If the Rockets are really looking for a SF or PF, then they ought to be looking close at Brian Cardinal from Purdue.

At 6'8", 230 or so, he's the right size. He can shoot, inside or from the 3-point zone, is a hard nosed rebounder and defender, and has a great attitude. He's not afraid to take a charge or dive for loose balls. Broke his thumb in early December, missed two games and was back playing with a cast on his hand - Cardinal won't let a minor injury keep him out of the lineup. He's an intelligent player and an outstanding young man as well. Just wants to win, baby! He'll go high in the draft - be nice to see him in Rocket pinstripes.

 

If the guy we really want isn't on the board when we pick but Mihm is, I think we have to take the guy. I don't think we have to keep him, but I think we have to pick him. Other teams will be interested in him and it would provide us with the opportunity to pick up a nice player who has been in the league for maybe two or three years. Besides, if a team wants him bad enough perhaps they'll be willing to take on some extra baggage in order to get him. Is there anybody and their salary -- Walt Williams -- that you'd like to send off?

 

Cabbage my man, your long vacation must of made you miss College hoops too.

Kenyon has developed a sweet 15 footer, and a nice little package of post up moves. I believe he's shooting around 55% and he's not a dunk every 2 shots player.

Catch the next Cincy game and youll see what Im referring too.

 

If Brendan Haywood actually fell all the way to number 35 in the draft (which I don't really think will happen), I wouldn't mind taking him with an early second round pick. I suspect someone will take their chances on him long before that, however, or he'll pick up his game and his stock will rise.

 

Cabbage, I agree with your thinking. I would be ready to part with Drew, Rodgers, Mobley or Thomas to move into possition to take a definate star like Morris.

We have to start asking ourselves if Mobley is our future at the 2 or is Shandon. Personally, I love Mobley and under any other circumstance I would say he is part of our long term plans; however, we are too small of a line up when we have Shandon at the 3, Mobley at the 2, and Francis at the 1. It seems like we are dedicated to Shandon over Mobes so we might as well get something for him. I would be willing to trade Mobes to move up, or to get a nasty free agent.

Also, Cabbage, the guy you're thinking of is Damarr Johnson, a freshman from Cinci. This guy is a 6'9" shooting guard who can play the 1-3 postions. If we pick above the top 6 (and I have a feeling we will) we should think about taking this kid. He by far has the most potential of any NCAA player today. On a side note, he was supposed to go pro outta high school. Watch this kid for one game and you'll agree.

One more thing, Peterson is not consistent. Some times he shows up and sometimes he doesn't. He's probably the most inconsistent All American there is this year. Don't get me wrong, he's got talent, but he's not a day in day out player. I wouldn't take him and our scouts havn't mentioned him either, thank God.

 

more than likely we're going to have to package something to get a chance at Morris. Dream's coming back, and even if the team's totally dysfunctional for a while, they're going to win more than gs, chicago, etc.

one of these kids is doing his own thing
I hope that a guy that gets doubled like Dream will make cuttino's game easier. He certainly played more intelligently last year w/ 3 stars to take the heat off of him. Hopefully Dream can be the authoritarian in that relationship (aka Chuck/Scottie of last year) and tell him to relax.

Either way we're not all that at the 2/3. The only thing this team's truly solid at is the One (and 5 as long as Dream plays). Shandon's not going anywhere b/c of his industriousness and loyalty issues for the Rockets, but Cat seems like he'll be a liability.

These decisions aren't easy. Othella and Michael Dickerson have had larger impacts on their team's performance in the past few games than Steve has. Was it a bad trade? of course not... my point is that trades for role players for superstars happens all of the time, and Cato/Cuttino are very tradeable.

To get a chance to touch someone like Morris, do you think it's not going to hurt? What sort of package would it take?

**a 6-10 pick + drew? yeah right.

**the same pick + carlos? it might work, but I don't see the Rockets doing it. Carlos is the 2nd best (active) player on our team right now. He's also better than Cato... much better.

**pick + kenny? kenny isn't going anywhere. I'm assuming after bulking up that he'll be an impact player for this team.

**pick + cuttino? cuttino is a cannon. While I agree w/ Popeye that alot of our complaints against Cat are misplaced b/c of his technique/style, something bothers me about Cat/Francis/Shandon in the backcourt.

**pick + Cato? I guess I could take the mindset that Catostertag fits a role. Get some boards, change some shots, do some cleanup. Perhaps I'll remind everyone that we have 4? players in Europe that are all capable of doing the exact same thing. They're also not due a 42 million dollar contract just b/c they got a triple double w/ 6 blocks against the fat man during preseason.

the point is, we seriously suck right now. We're also in the west. We need a tandem for the millenium post-Dream. A top pick in the draft w/ the cost of Cato is not something that we'll never get past. We would have all raised the exact same concerns about Othella's eventual trade last year. Although that one still hurts, Francis will make us forget. hopefully sooner than later.

[This message has been edited by Achebe (edited January 15, 2000).]

 

RF34

this list is fine...backing it up with what popeye or anyone else in sports says is irrelevant to what will be available to our pick.

underclassmen will supercede many of what are diligently listing by you and the media this early in the season.

let's not get into the value of your list. I agree it's valuable....but it is irrelevant come draft day. If we are to have these lottery pick threads, let's talk about everyone...underclassmen included.

I don't claim any knowledge about who will come out early, but it is certainly valuable to discuss:

who are the best college players, regardless of class. come-on look at the last 5 drafts and tell me whether seniors really mattered that much!!

 

cool...thanks

the year of the Ms, isn't it.


now if we can just get stats from the European leagues, to evaluate them. I'll start looking for something. remember, PF Dirk Nowitzki is scoring 18+ in his second year...drafted #9.

 

I can't wait to see yalls reaction when Mihm and Morris both say they aren't going into the draft. You all assume too much, who's to say Mihm or Morris wants to leave college early? We won't know until after the college season. Until then all this talk is pre-mature. Though if they do come out early, then I see your points. They are all talented enough to play for the Rocks.

 

A freshman that I think is going to develop to a really nice player is Carlos Boozer. He plays for Duke, he is a really good player. He wont enter the draft but I think he is going to be something.

 

RF34:

some questions.

I suspect some team might make another bonehead go-for-need-and-get-a-PG similar to grizzlies taking Bibby while Carter is still on the board, just so Shareef has a PG.

What PGs do you see that would be the 1st PG taken? I don't really follow NCAA anymore...but Penn looked great in the tourny and Khalid gets so much praise (is he leaving).

Also, another way to look at this is what teams won't go after what we want. Chicago probably won't take a PF. Clippers probably won't take another Odom-style dominating floor general...a team can only have one.

So, put some names to that. Who won't Chicago and Clipper's take? Clipper may trade down one or 2 slots if a Odom-style player is on the board at their pick.

[This message has been edited by heypartner (edited January 15, 2000).]

 

Clippers I think will want a Power Forward. They probably will think that Taylor will leave so they might get a power forward in case he leaves.

I know that the Bulls like Chris Mihm alot.

Toronto is desperate for a PG.

Pgs could go early are Penn, El Amin, Guyton, Cleaves.

 

"and maybe Morris if Artest or Kukoc doesn't work out."

I would had Hill to that, too.

But still, I think they just don't take a PF. They take best available after that, no matter if they get Hill or not.

That raises the question...when is draft day vs free agent season, which is July 1. If Bulls take Morris and get Hill later, do they trade Morris to us for who we picked and another player. And do you even make that trade?

Francis3

Toronto is not an issue. They are playoff bound. Only 1 PG will go before we pick, most likely. Which one do you think is the best in all of college, not just seniors? Penn?

[This message has been edited by heypartner (edited January 15, 2000).]

 

I think maybe Penn or El Amin..