What's with Chad Ford's fascination with the Rockets picking up more PFs. Yes, I know Morey's a BPA guy. But even trading away Scola doesn't clear up the logjam at the position. Huh? I see Zeller's "potential" being higher than all of them.
I try never to disagree with my betters. But Motiejunas? Ditch PPat and Morris and bring Motiejunas over. Could be interesting.
jtr, you just said that Tyler Zeller could "easily" average 10 rebounds and 2 blocked shots PER GAME. I actually want to draft Zeller if he's available at #14, and even I don't hold such high hopes for him. Guys make the All-Star team for putting up those numbers. Even when they only average 10 ppg. Let's lower our expectations a little bit, shall we?
Agreed Bima, one of the reasons why I like Zeller so much is that the bar is so incredibly low for true 7 footers. Look at the two backup centers in the All-Star Game this year: Marc Gasol averaged 15/9 with 2 blocks, Roy Hibbert 13/9 with 2 blocks. Both guys will get maxed contracts. I really hope that Zeller can max out at Nenad Krstic prior to his ACL injury; a finesse scoring center with disappointing rebounding.
Someone will slide. Yes, some good player will slide....and, because he didn't play for a Kansas (Marcus Morris) or a Kentucky (PatPat) or a North Carolina, Morey will ignore him (see also, Leonard, Kawhi). And CarlHerrera's scorn for Morris is almost as obstinate as some of DD's opinions. Guy didn't see the floor and he's supposed to be All That? Because the players we shun here NEVER amount to anything, right? (Jeremy Lin, Steve Novak.)
If he averaged 10 points a game that would already put him in the top ten centers in the NBA. There are only two good centers in the whole league, four if you want to count Duncan and Garnett, you are always reaching when you go for size. How do you think Jordon Hill wound up in the lottery?
Why would Miami draft a 6-6 SF? If there was ever a team that should draft for need, it is Miami. Can Green play the point?
Putting on my crazy hat, wouldn't it be great to Zeller at #14 and Leonard at #16? Zeller in body and soul is really a PF, not a true center, while Leonard is definitely a true center. The size of the Rockets would immediately sprout with: C Camby / Leonard PF Scola / Zeller / 2Pat SF Parsons / Budinger / Morris SG Martin / Lee PG Dragic / Lowry However, my real dream is to trade up to get Drummond and draft Moultrie at #14. That pairing would be awesome -- potentially.
Novak has been in the league for many years now and multiple teams and is just now playing well with any consistency. Of all the players that have been released or traded which ones have amounted to anything or improved their game? Novak? Many years and teams later Lin? He has a chance, we will see if he was a flash in the pan Landry? I love the way he plays. Rockets improved the team when they traded him though. Who else?
Say no to arnett moultrie. We have Patterson, the Lithuanian. You don't want a glut of big men. Look at the jazz. Were practically ran out of the gym in the playoffs. Playing time is essential in the development of big men. Camby has about two more decent years. Sign him. I'd really look for scorers. At any position. Austin Rivers is a volume shooter. Couldn't show his real ability at Duke. Offensively has a nba ready confidence. Really reminds me of Jason Terry. Also having the potential to maybe get Doc to be head coach in a few years makes Austin rivers a more attractive pick for us.
I have no idea with Zeller is being gawked at as a "safe pick" with a low ceiling. People, he's a highly skilled 7fter. He can step in right away and give you quality minutes at the 4 or even the 5 depending on matchups. At NC he was used in a completely different way then he will in the NBA. In the NBA I see the spacing and the uptempo style really being a nice fit for Zeller. His offensive game was very underutilzed with very few shots to go around on that team. His first year in the league he's probably better suited as a PF who can play along side another big that will defend the opposing team's best post player, but I see no reason why he cant develop into a (healthy) Chris Kaman type of big man. If the Rockets get Zeller at the 14th pick I would be very happy about that. They know they have a quality big man who could be their center going forward with a year or two of quality strength training. He's going to be a very solid big man in the NBA.
Miami needs bigs in the worst way. Fab Melo, Festus Ezeli, or no one unless it is a player like Wroten or Buford,
Terrence Williams. Bostjan Nachbar. Mirsad Tirkcan. Dan Langhi (Damn Lanky) One of these: But labeling Morris a bust at this point is premature (not that you did, referring to CHerrera).
