[Chron] Point guard no longer draft or free agent priority for Rockets

Wawick's athleticism would definitely be welcomed, but I'm not sure about his strength. The guy is rail thin and I'm not quite sure he will be able to bang down low like we need right now.

But no doubt we pick him up if available.

 

I too think our most pressing need is a rebounding/defensive power forward. The two guys that maybe available are:

1) Wayne Simien, Kansas. He is considered undersized at the four but I think he plays bigger than he is.
2) Taylor Coppenrath of Vermont in the second round. He may not get drafted. If he were playing at a Big 12 or ACC school he would be in the first round. He played weel in games this year against good teams: Kansas, NC, Nevada.

I'm assuming Deke will be back one more year then we will need a backup center. Rarely is a decent center available at 20-24 in the draft. So I expect we will go free agency after next year.

I think we also need to look for an offensive 3 to back up T-Mac.

 

I look at the offseason like this:

1. Sign a PF- The MLE won't be enough to get a good enough PF. Maybe a S&T w/ some of our expiring contracts could work. Swift, Chandler, Marshall would be perfect.

2. Resign Deke- best backup C in the league, period.

3. Draft athleticism- an athletic SF or PF would be great.

4. Resign Barry- love what he brings to the team.

5. Bring in Spanoullis

 

That would be over 16 million dollars worth of capspace gone

 

Beside killing any hope for depth at PG and PF.

 

I want Deke and Barry back in the worst way. They have meant so much to this team. They deserve to be resigned. And as far as new players, my signature still says it all.

 

IMO Rox need a 3/4, a Harpering-TYPE.

 

Exactly my thoughts.

 

I think he is referring to an athletic 3 that doesn't suck and actually can play in this league.

 

Please.

There's an athletic 3 available in free agency. His name is Gerald Wallace. Nachbar should remember him quite well from the preseason a couple years ago. If you download the "Art of War" blocks/dunks videos that was in the NBA forum a few weeks ago, it may refresh your memory.

 

I think they should do the same things you just mentioned. Although iam not sure we can get Swift, Chandler, or Marshall through a sign-and-trade. Iam hoping that playing along side Yao and T-mac, a chance to start, and play for a contender will lure Swift or Chandler here. I would also be ok with Wilcox, K. Brown, and Marshall.

If we can draft an athletic 3 to backup T-mac and then re-sign Barry and Deke we would be ok at all 5 positions and have some depth on the bench.

 

Turiaf

 

I think we need to find a solution that will meet immediate needs at PF, so that means going after Chandler, Wilcox, Swift, etc. Use whatever trading chits we have.

In the draft, pick up the best player available for the future, either with our pick, or trade up a bit. If there isn't someone special, trade it to someone who wants it for a future pick. I'm not that impressed with players this year later in the first round.

We need to further develop Spanoulis and Badiane, but not get our hopes up.

We need to use the TE and MLE judiciously ... take advantage of special opportunities.

I like what Dawson has done this year. Patience, and looking for the good deals has paid off ... keep it up!

 

Sign SF, Bobby Simmons, this summer.

Add a PF from the draft. There will be plenty of PF that can rebound and hussle better that Spoon and Juwan now that will be available in the 20s (first round). Bogut, Warrick, Diogu and maybe Turiaf will likely be gone before we draft but there are many others that are unknown that can be great additions as well (not Taft - he is overrated). If the high schoolers and "under age" foreigners rush into the draft because of the rumoured 20 years old age minimum, then we could really get lucky.

I would have loved Dan Gadzuric but he is a restricted FA.

 

The 2 picks we will use on the 2005 Draft will go on a Rebounding PF 1st and a Sharpshooting 2/3 2nd.


Possible Power Forward Prospects:

Wayne Simien F Kansas
Sean May F/C UNC
Ronny Turiaf F Gonzaga
Ike Diagu F Arizona State
Jason Maxiell F Cincinnati (2nd Rounder)

Possible Sharpshooting Swingman Prospects:
Francisco Garcia SG/SF - Louisville
Luther Head SG - Illinois

 

It's kind of hard not to scout PG's in this coming draft since there are so many of them, and good ones on top of that.

This coming draft has three areas of strength:
1) This should be one of the better drafts in recent history for taking centers. There are 3-4 solid center prospects, but the only catch is they are all top 10 talents.
2) Very deep at PF
3) Very deep at PG

No, we don't really NEED a PG. Both Sura and James are adequete---although Sura could end up seeing more minutes at SG. We have Wesley under contract until after next season, Moochie under contract for 2 more seasons plus the possibility of bringing back Barrett for cheap and/or promoting Spanoulis always exists. However, as you all know when drafting a player you go for the best player available. Nbadraft.net has Jarrett Jack and John Gilchrist slated to go somewhere in the 20's range---right around where we will pick. Here, you have an example of the depth of the position in the draft considering both of these two are damn well just as talented as Chris Paul or Ray Felton. It's kind of hard to overlook that.

Make no question, our top need is a PF and my intention is not to overlook that. However, if a talented PG falls into our lap come draft day you make the move.

 

PF has to be first priority via draft or FA this offseason. An athletic and defensive-minded one (even if rougher in offense) to complimenet JH and help protect Yao is ideal.

Outside of the 4 spot (greatest need) and 5 spot (no immediate need--resign Deke for another year or two), we just look for the best oppertunnities via draft and FA to add athleticism period.

I would say with Sura and James we are OK at least through their end of their contracts at the 1 spot, certainly as solid as we are in the 2 spot or 3 spot. Wesley and Barry are old--though I do want to resign Barry if for not too much. But either way, young prospects for the 1, 2, 3 and 4 (especially) all reflect needs, in four years from now it is likely only Yao, Tmac and James are solid bets for heavy minute players--and James will hopefully be like 7th man by then.

 

I can understand that. He's got a good thing going in Europe. He's a very good player in a high-profile. Likely making very good money. Gets all the chicks over there. Playing in the NBA is better still, but not if he's rotting on the bench (which is a distinct possibility with JVG). He has options and doesn't need to come to the NBA that badly, so he can try to use some leverage. I'd do it too.

 

just to clear it up, it's warrick, not warwick.

and yes, his arms are amazingly long. he had a dunk earlier this year where he was basically flat-footed and dunked over his man from about 5 feet out on sheer jumping high and having a huge reach. you just don't see people dunk from that far out flat-footed, which is why it was the top play on sportscenter (or way up there) that night. arms out to forever.

 

I believe in "drafting the best available player" philosophy. Using the draft to plug holes is very risky. You never know how a guy will pan out.

You use free agency and trades to solve immediate roster needs. You get players who have track records of what they can and cannot do in the NBA game.

In the draft, you pick guys who have the best chance to be good players in the league, regardless of what positions they play.