This is the draft where Morey gets to make his mark as the GM. The 25th pick in the NBA draft has, for the most part, been a dogmeat pick especially when you look at the Rockets' picks. Picking in the 20-29th spots has yielded the Rockets guys like John Gianelli, Buster Matheny, John Stroud, John Turner and Rodrick Rhodes. These are literally the epitome of guys named "Herb". History says that Morey probably won't fare much better this go round either but if he can somehow, someway find a Manu Ginobli, Sam Cassell, Carlos Boozer or (PLEASE God) a Tony Parker with that pick, then he will have truly turned the page on a dismal decade of Houston Rockets' drafts. As I have posted on more than one occasion, he'll need to get very lucky for something like that to happen but with the Rockets currently staring up at the rest of the Western Conference in terms of talent at key spots, I, for one, will take all of the luck I can get.
My guess is DM will pull some trade for our pick if he can't move up to take a player that he feels will make an impact this year. I think to get that type of player in this draft we'll have to move up into the top ten or so and I don't see that happening. We'll probably trade the pick plus someone on our current roster for a package of other solid rotation players. Just a hunch.
I'm betting on Morey trading the pick. He doesn't seem too enamored by anyone in our range and has harped on the low probability of getting a serious player at 25. He didn't talk like this last year, so I think he's tempering fan expectations if we can't trade up for someone good. If we can't trade up we might as well get out of the first round altogether.
Oh man this sucks im so excited, as we all are, but its 12.40am here and I have to get some zzzzz's. looking forward to the morning - draft starts 9am our time. catch u guys for it then.
If we stand pat and don't trade up my prediction is one of these four guys: Mario Chalmers, Marreese Speights, Bill Walker or Jason Thompson.
Just saw on www.*************** that the Rockets are entering into a trade with the Wizards. The Rockets are going to send Luther Head and #25 to the Wizards for #18. They are trying to get Courtney Lee. Good Move Rox!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are trading the 25th pick and L Head to the Wiz for the 18th pick to draft C Lee (SG out of Western Kentucky). I like the pick. We had to move ahead of Orlando to get him. Very good all around player. Is NBA ready. Good shooter from long range and mid-range. Plays D. 6-5 200 lbs. Is a team player. Better fit for us than L Head and it opens up a roster spot by moving L Head.
The Rockets need to draft the most talented player, even if he's seen as a project. I really don't think "NBA readiness" is really a factor. This Rockets organization has become very good at developing players and having them reach their potential, especially seen last year. Remember that Aaron Brooks and Carl Landry were seen as projects, but were still able to contribute in their rookie years. With the combination of good player development staff and a coach like Adelman who knows how to make players fit into his system, there should be less pressure on Morey to draft the most talented player. I'm really holding out that Donte Greene somehow drops to us, or in my pipedream we trade up for Brandon Rush. But I also think settling for Batum, CDR, Lee, or Jason Thompson are good choices too.
I would love for the Rockets to draft a wingman. Rush would be a great fit, but it's likely he'll be gone in the lottery. Next best fit would be CDR. Several sites say he'll be the Rockets pick. I'm not as high on Lee as some of you guys becuase of his size, but he is better overall than Luther. Bill Walker is a sleeper. I thought he could've been drafted last year but returned to school. He has a lot of upside and could crack the rotation. As for big men, I would be ecstatic if the Rockets could grab Robin Lopez or Roy Hibbert. They're both young and play good defense. Lopez has more upside buy Roy is more NBA-ready.
I lot of mock drafts have the rockets selecting CDR at 25, but there are some mocks that even have donte greene falling into our laps. I created my own mock draft actually depicting how this could possibly happen. 1. Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose 2. Miami Heat - Michael Beasley - I still think the Heat will trade Beasley to acquire OJ Mayo 3. Minnesota T'wolves - OJ Mayo - I'm going to go ahead and predict a three way trade. - Heat trade Beasley to Memphis - T'wolves trade OJ Mayo to Heat - Memphis trade Brook Lopez to T'wolves 4. Seattle Supersonics - Jerryd Bayless 5. Memphis Grizzlies - Brook Lopez 6. New York Knicks - Kevin Love 7. LA Clippers - Eric Gordon 8. Milwaukee Bucks - Joe Alexander 9. Charlotte Bobcats - Marreese Speights 10. New Jersey Nets - Danilo Gallinari 11. Indiana Pacers - Anthony Randolph 12. Sacramento Kings - Russell Westbrook 13. Portland Trailblazers - DJ Augustin 14. Golden State Warriors - Kosta Koufos 15. Phoenix Suns - Brandon Rush 16. Philadelphia 76ers - DeAndre Jordan 17. Indiana Pacers - Darrell Arthur 18. Washington Wizards - Jason Thompson 19. Cleveland Cavaliers - Mario Chalmers 20. Charlotte Bobcats - Robin Lopez 21. New Jersey Nets - Alexis Ajinca 22. Orlando Magic - Chris Douglas Roberts 23. Utah Jazz - Roy Hibbert 24. Seattle Supersonics - Serge Ibaka 25. Houston Rockets - Donte Greene 26. San Antonio Spurs - Nicolas Batum 27. Portland Trailblazers - JJ Hickson 28. Memphis Grizzlies - Nathan Jawai 29. Detroit Pistons - DeVon Hardin 30. Boston Celtics - Omer Asik constructive criticism welcomed. and possible players that i might've overlooked. however, i do see courtney lee dropping into the second round just because he went to a smaller college.
it's kind of odd that the front page of the site is being used to push Clutch's preference for who we draft. i mean, i like rush too, but there have been no credible sources cited for us having actual interest in him, nor has Morey actually indicated that he'd like us to move up to take him. simply saying that "multiple sources say that rush has the rockets gushing", neither provides any evidence, nor does it mean that we're actively trying to trade up for him.
Ok..I am just really pissed at portland right now. They are assembling a monster together that would be a major force to reckon with in 2-3 yrs. Damn them and their lottery picks.
Ibaka has let be known he's not coming over. I think if Donte Green is there and u want that kinda player, why not just sign gerald green or trade for outlaw?
My guess is if the Rockets can't draft a ready to go SG/SF in the first round they draft Sonny Weems with the 54th pick.
