CD was on both 610 & 790 this AM. I only caught bits & pieces as I was driving to work. -Luther Head is a good fit with JVG's style because of his defense and shooting ability. He thinks he will swing between PG & SG and hopes he can get some minutes this coming season. -When CD called him last night, he said that Luther was so happy that he was almost in tears. CD got the feeling that Luther really wanted to come here. CD got JVG on the phone with them and JVG already started talking strategies and schemes with Luther. -Luther had a great performance in Chicago and everyone liked him and the Rox were high enough to get him at 24. -John asked if saw similarities between him and Cuttino and CD said yes although he really hadn't thought about it. He said they were fortunate to get Cuttino in the second round because he had 2 bad days and 1 OK day at Portsmouth that year. But they had followed him all year and were very familiar with him. -CD said Cassell played SG at Florida State, but played point at San Jac, so they thought he could play point. Luther played point in HS and also at Chicago and did a good job -Luther only turned the ball over once every 18 min which is excellent in college. He had good coaching under Bill Self and Bruce Webber. -About FA's, he said they have a list as opposed to 1 specific player and that he has received calls because the Rox are an attractive team and people want to play here now. -The Rox have 6 scouts with a full time scout in Europe now (he didn't say since when). CD goes to Africa twice a year and also goes to Australia. -Yao needs to learn what an NBA foul is. In international ball you can move around, guard the basket and body people and the NBA won't let you get away with that. -If Yao could project out to 38 min a game (from about 30 now) that he would average about 23/11-12. He said his stamina and endurance were up last season but was limited by foul trouble. If I remember anymore, I'll post later. I'm late for work. Houston Native
To add, mentioned of getting in on undrafted free agents market. CD wants to go after what he feels at least one of 15 players undrafted that could play in NBA level. Of special note, Michael Harris of Rice University has been worked out twice and might be invited to summer leagues. That would be awesome for Harris and I hope he makes it.
Man, JVG is all business, all the time! I can imagine the conversation... CD: Luther, I've got your new coach on the line now. Luther: Hey, coach! JVG: Okay, Luther, get a paper and pencil. Here's the deal: We run a defensive scheme that utilitizes... Poor Luther doesn't even have time to relish being a 1st-round pick before JVG puts him to work.
That's interesting. I think there are a lot of solid players that went undrafted that might be a good fit in Houston. Alan Anderson, Kennedy Winston, Jawad Williams, Sean Banks. All of them could fill a void on the Rockets roster.
thats good tho.... Let him know from the very start that you have to work hard to make this team. I would much rather have a coach that is always working hard to make it better than one who puts in minimal effort
He also spoke about Malik, stating that he is in the US and has put on some much needed size. CD also let on that Badaine is closer to playing in the NBA than they expected him to be.
thats good....expecially if he comes into the summer league and impresses...that makes it just that much better. no mention of what the deal is with Spano? First we hear that he will be here, then rumor has it there is a problem and he may nto be here...we could sure use him...another young, quick guard would be great...
CD said he expects Spano to be here in a couple of weeks for summer leagues. Badiane is already here. Hope this means no complications with bringing Spano over from Europe.
Mike Harris was a TA for a sports psych class I took at Rice. Really nice guy with a good attitude. That'd be nice if he could land a spot. He's not too tall at 6'5" or 6'6" but has a pretty developed body and from the games I watched, a pretty good rebounder.
Here HoRockets and some other news on the Mavs: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/062905dnspomavsdraft.5654e08a.html • An assortment of players who went undrafted could be on the Mavericks' radar to sign as free agents. The Mavericks hit a jackpot with Daniels, who went undrafted two years ago. Less than an hour after the draft, the Mavs had signed Michael Harris from Rice and Rawle Marshall from Oakland (Mich.) University to their summer league team. "There are no Marquis Daniels promises, but we're hoping we can get a couple of guys into summer camp," Nelson said. A few possibilities: Alabama's 6-6 Kennedy Winston, North Carolina's 6-9 Jawad Williams and Kansas' 6-4 Keith Langford, a North Crowley High alumnus. • More likely, the Mavericks will wait until teams start waiving veterans under the one-time "amnesty" rule that is part of the new collective-bargaining agreement. Just as the Mavs probably will waive Michael Finley to relieve luxury-tax burdens, other teams will jettison players. Among those that could be in that group: New York's Allan Houston, Portland's Reuben Patterson and Memphis' Jason Williams or James Posey. "Absolutely," said Nelson when asked Tuesday if he expected the Mavericks to be in the mix for players who might be cut. • The team also has a mid-level salary cap exception, likely over $5 million, to spend. And there's always the possibility of a trade.
I would love to get Posey back if he is released. That would be one hell of a 1 2 punch on Defense. Tmac and posey
I think CD said Spanoulis would be here July 6 or 7th. His season just ended a few weeks ago and he was "almost a star" in their Division I league. Houston Native
This stat's pretty misleading when you consider he played SG in college and didn't have the ball in his hands all the time. Not that I'm knocking Luther Head. Just to say if he plays point, expect more turnovers.
