Id also like to note that in JJ's last season at Duke he averaged 7.11 free throw attempts per game. In comparison Tmac (who some would agree can get to the basket at will) in his 47 games last season averaged 7.2 free throw attempts per game. Now by no means am I suggesting that Redick has similar "get to the basket" abilities as Tmac. However all this talk about he is ONLY capable of shooting is stupid because averaging 7.11 free throws means that he can get to the basket and get to the line. Not to mention he will automatically be our best free throw shooter. Imagine the game winding down, Rockets are up by 2 and its Rockets ball. The other team has to foul but who do they choose? Yao shoots in the 80% range, Tmac is a good FT shooter, and with Redick they woudlnt dare foul him. Game over. All in all I would be open for ideas by the Redick haters on how one can get to the free throw line on average 7 times a game, when all you think he does is park himself behind the three point line.
If you watched duke games on tv, and even the highlights on espn, it was constantly talked about how much better jj had gotten and that he wasnt "just jumpers" redick anymore. He was great with upfakes and did drive to the basket a lot more. Like it was said, 7 free throws a game means he was driving in and drawing fouls. He made a lot more two point field goals then three point field goals this year which would be odd for someone who just camps out by the three point line all day.
A fantastic point, he gets fouled a lot because he sets up the defenders so often. JJ is a great choice for us at 8. DD
That could be too true. We could easily end up with Shelden Williams because of financial considerations; it would be very like Alexander to do it. (By the way, has anyone noticed that both of the finalists this year are deep into luxury tax territory?) I'm going to ignore the financials for now. From the perspective of pure talent, Shelden Williams doesn't do too badly. I wouldn't mind getting him. I just think Redick will have a bigger impact on our team, because we already have tolerably good 4s.
Exactly. Our PF's are not ideal but they are servicable ...barely. 1. But we have NO starting SG. 2. We have no backup PG and JVG said he wants three PG's. 3. And we have nobody that can give TMac a rest without a HUGE drop-off. Upgrading PF would be nice but I don't see it as the #1 priority ...not close.
There's no paradox. Redick is the best college player in the country this year, and there are players rated above him. The reason is that lottery teams tend to draft for potential; they are usually many years away from being contenders, so they can afford to wait. (We don't have to look farther than the Lakers' Andrew Bynum for a really good example.) Players like Gay, Morrison, and Carney may have a higher ceiling than Redick, which is why they are rated above him. But Redick is the best this year and is a perfect fit for our team, which is why I want him.
Potential is only part of it. Do you think a majority of NBA scouts believe Redick is a favorite for rookie of the year? Of course not. Beyond simply not having as high a ceiling, it's widely believe that Redick's game simply won't translate at well in the pros as some other players.
JJ Redick is a little similar to Shane Battier a few years ago...interestingly also from Duke. He was also clearly the most NBA ready player in the draft that year but GM's felt he didn't have much room for growth (ie potential). Today Battier is no franchise player but he is still a solid NBA player that most teams would love to have. JJ Redick WON'T be the anchor of your team but he probably CAN be a tremendous asset. A team like Houston already has it's franchise players and is now searching for role players. Redick definately looks like he fits that bill.
Which is exactly why Arenas, Redd, Rashard, Manu, Mobley etc were picked so low. Like I pointed out earlier even Stockton went 16th, Karla Malone 14th, and Nash 15th in the draft because "they would not translate well to the NBA." In fact the reasoning stated by both the Bucks and Hawks for not drafting Chris Pauls was, "we wanted bigger players with more upside and a higher ceiling and at 5-11 to 6 feet tall Chris Paul will likely struggle in the NBA." Look at Jameer Nelson (the best player in college ball) going 20th. I bet the teams that passed him up and the team that traded him (Denver) are regretting it now, again because "he's too small, he's too unathletic, he won't be able to guard anyone on the next level, his game won't translate, he's a college player, not an NBA player." And of course as also has been pointed out here there is no end to the names of players that were long, athletic and said to be future stars that went high and ended up busts. The list goes on and on. So it's a bit absurd that some people here think that just because some scouts or "experts" say Redick's game won;t translate or that so and so is "going to be a superstar" is actually the gospel. Look at the Rockets own draft history.......... The opinions of the so-called "experts" are possibly right at most half of the time, so we need to keep in mind that just because some "expert" said Redick's game won't translate doesn't mean it's right.
JJ is a nice player, but I really dont think he compliments our team that much. He does provide us with shooting, but what else? He doesnt have size, and how many of you guys believe that he will be a decent defender for the 2 spot? You have to look at what the Rockets have NOW and build. Yao is to slow to cover ground on help D, as well as JHO. Swift is just plain lost. JJ IMO is just a short term answer for the Rockets to get back into the playoffs, but we wouldnt be a contender with him as we have too many holes. The Rockets need to address their PF situation, and lack of size and athleticism in the backcourt. We should pick up an athletic swingman or PF in the first, and maybe Gansey in the 2nd round to address the shooting situation.
Now hold on the Rockets went 21-10 when Yao and T-Mac played and that was almost entirely Yao on a diseased toe and T-Mac barely moving out there. 21-10 projects to 56-26 over an 82 game season, nevermind what they would do when healthy we know that was not the real T-Mac and we saw how Yao was after the toe surgery. The playoff format has also been changed, the 3 divisional winners and the team with the best remaining record get home court advantage. Ok so Dallas, San Antonio, Phoenix and probably Denver or possibly Utah are in, which means Houston is 5 seed..... against Dallas, SA, Suns? Nope the format is changed. Houston would get like a Denver or a Utah in the first round and have home court advantage. Even with the team they have now the Rockets are a 55 or more win team and an easy 2nd round team and a team that could still take the WCF champs to 7 games. So let's try and keep some perspective here. With a healthy Yao and T-Mac the Rockets are at least 10 notches better than what you are thinking.
And of course as also has been pointed out here there is no end to the names of players that were long, athletic and said to be future stars that went high and ended up busts. So it's a bit absurd that some people here think that just because some scouts or "experts" say Redick's game won;t translate or that so and so is "going to be a superstar" is actually the gospel. Very well said. Lets not forget a lot of experts and scouts said yao ming could never play in the nba cuz he was too slow and unathletic. Rox didnt listen then and i hope they dont listen now. I think redick will do just fine in the nba in the right system and the Rox fit that style. If i had to guess, I think at least one of either gay, carney, or brewer will be flops.
The Hall of Fame is littered with people who were told they would not be very good in the NBA. Never trust the experts, be results oriented, and Redick has some good results. DD
There is some risk with any pick, if his shot is not falling (which happens to everyone) he goes to the bench. DD
at least if we have brewer or carney ....they can make up for it on the defensive end and provide rebounding.
LOL If his shot doesn't fall, J.J. hits the gym and throws up a few thousand shots until his shot starts to drop. i have question: what happens if somebody shoots a gun in the air on the fourth of July and the bullet comes down and lands on Carney's head. He die, don't he? Well, it could happen, couldn't it. It has about the same chance of happening as J.J.'s shot not falling. Silliness.
