Let's try and keep the dream scenarios of moving up for Battier, Griffin, etc. out of this thread. Hypothetically, let's imagine this as the scenario. The Rockets keep picks 13 and 18, and have arranged a deal with the Lakers in which the Rockets select who the Lakers want at 23 to package with a contract (Walt, Cato, etc.) for Horry, leaving them with just two picks. (13 and 18) For the purpose of this thread, let's say the top 12 off the board are Griffin, Brown, Battier, Curry, Diop, Richardson, White, Gasol, J. Johnson, Chandler, Woods (or Haywood), and Randolph. Who is then next on your wishlist, and what procedure would you like the Rockets to use drafting, if those are the top 12 gone? It is evident that the Rockets two primary needs are a bigger, sweet-shooting, athletic, and defensive minded SF along with a center with both agility and a decent low post game. When you consider all factors, I think the one guy who may be next on the Rockets wishlist is none other than Terence Morris. While he had a disappointing senior year, lets not forget this was the same guy who had top 3 skills a couple of years ago, and he has everything the Rockets in the past have liked in an SF. Good shooter, versatility to play both forward spots, long arms, solid defender, maturity & experience, and he has the Francis connection. Remember, he probably had his best year when Steve played alongside him. Also, to me he resembles a young Robert Horry in several areas, and who better to mentor a young Horry than Bob himself? However, if you're the Rockets, I don't think you pick him at 13, even if he is the next guy on your wishlist. I wouldn't be disappointed too much if we got him there-- imho he'll be worth it in the long run-- but I know and I think the Rockets know too that he'll be available at 18 or 23. The Rockets other pressing need is at center, so in my opinion, the best thing they can do is go big at 13 and pick up Morris at 18 or 23, whichever they keep. Even though Morris might be higher on their wishlist and may very well be a better player in the longrun than the big men, you have to realize he'll be there later in all likelihood. So what would I do? I'd take whichever one of Woods or Haywood is left on the board at 13 (in the very unlikely event both are there I'd take Woods), take Morris at 18, and ship off whoever we get at 23 with a contract such as Walt's or Cato's for Robert Horry. Most likely, Haywood would be the only guy left between him and Woods, so most likely right now I see us coming out of this draft with Haywood, Terence Morris, and Robert Horry via a trade of contract+ pick 23. I'd be very happy with this draft, and it is also a very realistic look at how things may pan out. Given the above scenario, what would you guys do if in CD's shoes? (without trading up, etc.) ------------------ President of the Mo Taylor and Jason Collier fan club! Draftsource.net-- the premier source for draft info. Profiles, rankings, mock drafts, and more!
Thats a pretty good scenario Cat. I would also like to see the rockets dangle Cato and the 13th pick to Denver for Raef Lafrentz. I would rather Walt go to the Lakers than Cato cause Cato hooked up with the Zen Master would scare me if Im a rocket fan. Maybe we get Morris, Horry and Lafrentz all three damn good shoot blockers. ------------------
Morris is a given. I think you've come up with a decent scenario. People might not be thrilled to draft "Brenda" and Morris, but the latter will be very good for us, the former will fill a role: backup C. Now if we could keep Haywood and Cato from hanging out together. "Hey. I'll bet I'm less motivated than you are." "Oh, yeah?!" ------------------
3 centers in the draft this year that the rockets can easily draft. Haywood - Soft sometimes, when crazy can get it done. Woods - Skinny, but defense is good and has nice shot. Johnson - Best defense but no Offensive game. Now I know 1 of these players will still be there at 18. Do we take the risk of passing maybe a young stud player like Jefferson at the 3 spot which we need big time. ( HEYP, I dont care what you say. ) Or do we draft the best center available and grab Morris with the 18th? With the 1st scenario we can get a SF that can be insurance if Shandon leaves. He can run with the backcourt and actually score the ball consistently night in and night out. Then with the 18th we most likely have Ken Johnson on board and we take him to be the rebounding , block machine center we thought cato would be. The 2nd scenario we could have Haywood or Woods still there. Maybe only one because 1 of them I see going to some team before us. We get a center and draft Morris who is mature and has good height for a SF that can rebound and block shots. Also is Steves buddy. Very tough choice CD has to make. It better be a good one. ! ------------------ "Break off the block like Maurice Green" --- Steve Francis President of the Moochie Norris fan club.
Francis3, In your scenarios, I would go with Woods and Morris because Woods and Morris can help the backcourt out offensively and defensively. If its Haywoode, I go the other way. Jefferson is the better on the ball defender, but I like Morris's weakside shoot blocking ability. Both will be better than Shannon at the three. ------------------
I think the Lakers will require the 18th pick to close that deal b/c it seems based on who they have worked out that they are targeting Gerald Wallace. Its a significant risk to leave Wallace on the board at 19 with Bob Whitsitt in action. The Blazers need a young SF b/c Pippen is playing like sh*t, and Trader Bob loves the athletic projects. That being said, I think Woods will be on the board at 13th and if so I'd take him. If Woods is gone at that pick, it depends on whether or not the Rockets feel they can groom Bradley or Randolph into atleast part time centers. Right now they arent, but if Rudy T and staff feel that with some bulk on Bradley or feel that Randolph's sheer size could bang in the middle, then I'd go for one of them next. I know folks would say "well Randolph isnt a center", but I would rather play a 6-9 270 pound glass eater with excellent hands and remarkable agility at the 5 position than someone like Brendan Haywood with poor lateral movement and oaf like coordination. If Rudy T and staff feel like there is no way no how that either Randolph or Bradley could ever play mins at the 5 with more seasoning, then the next alternative would be one of the following: 1. Draft Terence Morris and Ken Johnson in some order at 13 and 22. 2. Satisfy the Lakers trade demands by taking Wallace at 13 then drafting Morris and Johnson in some order at 18 and 23. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
Do ya'll really think Woods will be available at #13? Haywood, yes. But Woods? Of course, we don't know the specifics of KJ's workout... ------------------
Unless the Rocks can move up in the draft (and I mean a significant jump up) they should just stay where they are and use all 3 picks. I think this is the perfect draft for a team like the Rocks: - They have multiple picks which increases the probability of coming out of the draft with at least 1 solid player, probably 2 (see 1998 draft for reference) - There are already rumblings from teams about this draft, about trading up or down, which plays into the Rocks hands because teams are making an easy situation (just draft the best available player) hard, and as a result there will probably be a player or 2 who will fall unexpectedly (once again, see 1998 draft, Paul Pierce). I have this feeling, or hunch, that the Rocks would do better by keeping the picks instead of making a move for Horry. ------------------
Rox, I think there's a good chance that Woods will be avail at 13. Here are the players that I see as locks to be gone before 13: Curry, Griffin, Brown, Battier, Gasol, Richardson, Joe Johnson and White. Those 8 I feel are definitely gone before the Rockets pick. In a wierd twist of events, Diop or Chandler could fall to 13, but I would not list that as likely. That leaves Jamaal Tinsley and Zach Randolph. Some feel that Tinsley could fall out of the lottery but considering the lack of good PGs in this draft combined with certain ballclubs needing to fill the point should probably insure Tinsley stays in the lotto. The main club to look at then would be Seattle. The Sonics could possibly take Woods as they have a need at center. However, I have heard McMillian wants a rough and rugged type player as opposed to a skill/finesse type. Thus, if they feel that Zach Randolph is too young, I think they would go for someone like Troy Murphy before they consider Loren Woods. Also, considering Murphy plays a tough brand of ball, I wouldnt mind at all if the Rockets selected him if Woods is off the board. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
I have an opinion and a question. I can't believe the Rockets would want to bring back Horry and in the process help the Lakers. Horry does seem to step up in playoffs, but during the regular season he is inconsistent and at times non-existant. If we had a chance to take Wallace to trade for Horry, I would say keep Wallace. He is younger, cheaper and has potential. My question is for MManal or anyone. If Woods were a high school senior this season rather than a college senior, how do you think he would stack up in this draft against guys like Brown, Chandler and Gasol? Did he dominate in high school and how tall was he? ------------------
Loren Woods had a huge burden put on his shoulders as he entered Wake Forest. Woods was expected to be another Tim Duncan and did not live up to his billing. However, he has been able to add some bulk to his frame since those days and showed more promise after he transferred to Arizona. As far as this Gerald Wallace for Robert Horry issue. Good point you brought up b/c this definitely needs to be considered. Personally, I have no problem making this deal as I feel this team is ready to take the next step, and Horry would help provide that impetus. This team has difficulty matching up against the likes of Antawn Jamison, Shawn Marion, Donyell Marshall, Dirk Nowitzki, Lamar Odom etc, and Horry would help in that area. A 6-10 forward that can play both forward spots and spot up from the perimeter would be a nice addition imo. Not to mention, Horry is good in team defensive situations. Gerald Wallace may one day be a good player, but if it happens, it will take some time. I think he will take a similar development route to someone like Jumaine Jones. Jones is just now starting to come through on the promise people felt he possessed in college. At Georgia, he was labelled the next Dominique Wilkins. Jones like Wallace is a strong 6-7 player that is very athletic but lacks ball handling and a perimeter shot. Also, the jury is still out on Jones imo, I still dont think he's going to be more than a good complementary player w/o a lot more work on his ballhandling and shooting. There's more to basketball than jumping high. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net [This message has been edited by MManal (edited June 05, 2001).]
wallace has the ball handling and the defense that jones was lacking coming out of college ------------------
Ball handling and shooting are the two key weak points of Wallace's game which is why he probably made a mistake coming out this yr. Some team will take a flyer on him tho. I kept hearing him compared to Vince Carter when he was in HS, but when I saw Wallace play, I felt he still had a good ways to go in terms of ball handling in shooting. The kid is strong, has excellent hops and is a real active body, but the skill parts of the game are still severely lacking. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
MManal,I think Bradley might be able to play as a part time center if he bulks up because of his height advantage over Randolph who is only 6" 9".I really think Randolph can become a good power forward in the future who will be chosen by Seattle with the 12th pick if not earlier.Even if Randolph is available at 13,I don't think he will be picked by us. I also have a feeling that if neither Haywood or Woods are available at the 13th spot,the Rockets might take Bradley,or Murphy with it or alternately trade the pick. ------------------
Why would we want to trade for Horry, when it seems obvious that he is wanting to opt out of his contract to sign with Houston (to be close to his sick daughter). I mean, he would probably sign for 1 or 2 million, to come back home. With this draft so DEEP, why not keep the pick and sign Horry, Mo Taylor & try for Marc Jackson (no way webbers is staying in the west). As far as morris, he is a guaranteed 2nd round pick, so lets trade down for him and pick up some extra 2nd round picks. Unless Rudy is sure he can unload Cato, then we need to go after Jefferson (or best SF) first, then best center available and trade down for Ken Johnson or T. Morris. If we had the cap space, we could probably trade for 2 high 2nd round picks and get Johnson and Morris. I think that we will be surprised again on Draft Day on some of the top ten talent that will fall into our laps. Paul Gasol, which I am not for, will probably fall past the 18th pick. Look at Iakovos Tsakalidis, he was a high lottery pick last year, but fell to the bottom of the 1st round because of his contract obligations overseas. Nobody wants to sign a guy and wait a year until he can play, especially a guy that has poor numbers against eurpean competition. THEN THERE IS THE CHICAGO CAMP, remember last year when Jamal (?) played his way into the lottery. Somebody else will step it up and could help push the top 10 prospects into our lap. I have even seen a few news drafts showing Joe Johnson available at #13, or even Diop at #13. ------------------
barb, Horry currently makes 5 mil a season so expecting him to drop his salary to 1 or 2 mil is asking for a lot. By signing and trading, the Rockets would preserve their entire wad of cap room and already have Horry in the fold. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
I think Morris will be in the 20-30 range in the draft. By no means is he a "lock" to be a second rounder. ------------------
Well my thought is that the Rockets are not really looking for Horry. He has stated that money is not important, being closer to his daughter is important. We would definately not want to offer him anything that would hurt our cap space for top free agents available. If we could trade Cato for him, I would do it in a NY minute. With a draft so deep, I would not trade for him, unless we can ship Cato contract out of here. I dont think adding Horry to the Rockets will make them any better. Horry does not have any offense in him anymore, but does still have some good defense and rebounding. I like Kenny Thomas better than Horry, and Kenny is not afraid to take it to the basket to score. ------------------
The scenarios are interesting but I don't even think we will keeping more than 1 of the 3 picks. If we pick at #13(lottery pick-money!!!). Then pick at #18 still going to get good money and possibly at #23(even though everyone expects it to be traded). Thats money we would lose in the Webber Sweepstakes, Matt Bullard fund, Moochie comeback and yes even possibly Mo-T revival. Here's what I see we are going to do: Trade 2 of 3 picks for either picks later in draft(cheaper picks-2nd rd. picks we do pick well in the 2nd rd. enter Cassell and Mobley) and/or for veteran players(we need some playoff veterans especially if Dream and Shandon leave). I can see us taking at #13(if we keep the pick) Richard Jefferson 6'8 225 SF. At #18(if we keep) Alvin Jones 6'10 260 C. Finally at #23(if we keep) a surprise a SG Kenny Gregory 6'5 215 SG(need a big defensive guard for guys like Kobe). These are just guesses and of course they are players I'd like to have here. I do like Ken Johnson too. Honestly...I do expect to have a pick in the 2nd rd. somewhere. I know we haven't brought in Gregory or Jones but both are hard working players. Just brainstorming sort of...... ------------------
