Wasn't there are recent rumor that pegged Royce White at 16 with our pick? Draft express said that White was rumored at 18 back when it was Minny's. White or Sullinger at 18 would be great for beefing up our front court. I know people are weary of drafting undersized bigs, but at this point in the draft, they would be great value considering both can play now off the bench.
Great trade. It HAS been sort of paradoxical for years, as Les has been able to get away with bloody murder due to Morey's mad game. That said, let's get it on!! Our Rockets are either rebuilding in the strongest draft in years or are about to bag the Pink Elephant.
The Lakers traded both Fisher and Odom -- two of the mainstays from their last title team -- in the same year. On ANY NBA TEAM, nobody is untouchable except the superstars, and there are less than 10 of them. Saying Morey is somehow different because he's willing to move anyone on this particular team is insane; what good GM would mark anyone on this current team as immovable?
Aside from the funny fact we have the identical picks (so far)...14, 16, 18...the point of the comment regarding bad omen is we passed 3 times on Rashard Lewis. Everyone here (e v e r y o n e) hated the fact we didn't pick the Houston native over Bryce Drew or Turkoglu. It might have been the most hated draft night for Rockets fans in history....despite getting two quality players in Dickerson and Cat.
This is a good deal all around. Bud brought no value that took us over the top and was definitely lost in the log jam of players at his spot. We turn a 2nd round pick into a 1st rounder, pick up a rookie contract, and open the ways for more trades. Can't really go wrong with this move.
Seems like a pretty even trade to me, I don't get where everyone thinks Minnie is getting jobbed. Most 18th picks don't pan out even as well as Bud did...but I guess a chance at someone with a high ceiling in a deep draft is better than a guy of proven (but replaceable) average performance. Put me in the column of wanting us to try to package to move up and get a couple young players. I'm not thrilled with even the possibility of a pouty Superman playing out the string with us while dreaming of joining a Superfriends cast next year.
don't be ridiculous. You know why Dwight wants to leave ORL and why Lebron left CLE...is because their GMs did not use their assets to upgrade the team. Superstars expect you to flip your role players to best suit their game, so they can win. Superstars could care less about flipping role players. Why wouldn't they be attracted to such a GM. Why would that be a bad thing in the eyes of Superstars, almost all of whom expect GMs to do that?
No one on this team SHOULD be safe from being traded. If I hear that anyone was the deal breaker for Howard or someone of note I will be pissed Rocket River
Once the Rockets get a superstar then worry about creating a family atmosphere. Remember when they had Yao and Tmac?
I wish it had been Turkoglu. The pick was used on Mirsad Turckan, who never played in the NBA anyway, IIRC.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/know-houston-wants-draft-does-minnesota-want-chase-172036365--nba.html We know what Houston wants out of its draft, but what does Minnesota want with Chase Budinger?
Have to admit, good deal for the rockets. Though minny might be just trying to sell a pick on the cheap to avoid a 4 year commitment.