Let's face it, the only way we have a chance at any of the players people keep talking about is to trade Mobley to move up. Personally, I think it would be a mistake. We have to remember that 1)Mobley is talented as hell 2)Mobley and Francis are close (we've gotta keep Steve happy) 3)As of now, we only have four guards 4)Our backcourt is just starting to develop some real chemistry. With that said, I also believe we'll keep Drew and Thomas as well. There values are up, but not high enough to get us where we want to be in the draft. Besides, why would anyone want to trade Kenny; he looks like he might be special. My point is, the Rockets are better off keeping almost all of the players we have now and letting them develope together. We'll get a nice draft pick with a 10-12 spot, and we'll sign an impact free agent, if not this off season, certainly the next. I wouldn't get rid of any players in our backcourt, it just looks too good for the future. I'm also of the opinion that Los and Kenny will do nicely next year as our PF combo. We could definately use another inside presence, but our most pressing need is the SF. I believe we'll find a great one right around our pick. 1)Demarr Johnson (Cinci)-- 6'9" and can play the 1-3 positions. Unlimited potential. 2)Chris Porter (Auburn)--6"8" and very strong. Can be another Pipen if he developes a consistent jump shot. 3)Pete Mickeal (Cinci)-- 6'8" and this guys got a complete all around game. He passes, posts up, rebounds, shoots. I'd like to see him be more of an outside threat. Oh yea, great defense. 4)Morris Peterson (MS)--6'8" and this guys got great skills and a smooth stroke. He's and All American, but he needs to be more consistent. --They say that Mike Miller (FL)6'8" is special and look for JaRon Rush(UCLA) 6'7" to blow up; he's very raw though, alot like Jermain Jones last year. Chris Williams (Virginia)6'7" has some tallent too. As for Big inside presences or centers: 1)Loren Woods - 7'1"(Arizona) This guys can really be special if he stays and bulks up a little. He's got all the skills to be better than Cato. 2)Etan Thomas - 6'9"(Syracuse) This guy plays bigger than his height. He's got all the tolls to be an Alonzo Morning type of player. Remember Morning's only 6'10". This kid blocks shots, rebounds and has developed an offensive game. Nasty defender. 4)Ken Johnson - 6'11" (Ohio ST.) There nasty inside presence. He doesn't get enough touches, but he's just starting to realize how good he can be. He's really young, but he'll develope into someone special. 5)Jamal Maglorie - 6'10" (Kentucky) We already have Kenny Thomas, so I don't think we need Maglorie; however, this guy will be a dominate post in the pros. He tough, physical, and has natural talent. A good defender as well. Well that's my early analysis. I'd get rid of the Wizard to drop payroll and Mass because he's too injury prone, but that's it. Stay the course gentlemen.
My burnt orange colored glasses see him as a Sir Charles clone. Not much size, a lot of passion. I'd take him in a second if he was available at our pick in the second round.
Aruba- Ken Johnson would be a nice pick up. Swats a ton of shots and is willing to work hard. He is still fairly small, but he added 15-20 lbs since last year. He will get bigger in the future as well. Like you said he doesn't have a great offensive game, but he is effective with the ball. He could develop into a nice player, but don't expect him to be an offensive liability for awhile. Great opportunity to watch Johnson, Scoonie Penn, & Mateen Cleaves & listen to Dick Vitale tonight!
Who wants to draft Demarr Johnson? I'm curious to know what people in the BBS think about him. Does anyone think he is as talented as I do?
I'm very high on ,not Demarr Johnson, but Dermarr Johnson. People have been misspelling his name left and right. 6'9" stud that could probably use more seasoning. But high talented. Reminds me a lot of Tracey McGrady. He's a lottery lock wheneve he chooses to leave school. People should start keying in on Stromile Swift. Amazing talent down in LSU.
Swift can play. He is so athletic and explosive. I wish he would come out this year. I don't think he would but I would take him in a second. Me being a University of Kentucky fanatic I can give you a little scouting report on Magloire. First off let me say he is nothing like Kenny Thomas and has a little better attitude than people give him credit for. Anyways I don't care what anybody thinks about Eton Thomas but Magloire is the best in NCAA's in blocking shots, he holds the Kentucky school record. He is very slowly developing an offensive game. Has developed a very soft touch from the free throw line. He is better than his % says. Started the season pothetically from the line but has hit at least 27 of last 32, probably more now. He has extremely strong work ethic. His toughness and defense will keep him in the NBA. I like him but there are other players I like better at this point.
I think the rockets need a team player. A 10 to 14 pick in the first round will likely not give you a huge impact player. Thus the rockets have to find a team player in the bunch. The need that has to be filled is SF. Williams is more of a backup quick points sort of guy. Anderson is the starting SG, Mobley the 6th man. Rogers looks like a great option at the SF, but his outside shooting has to improve. BUT, this draft is so rich with SF that if some key player slips down, the rockets have to take him and bypass the pressing need. Eduardo Najera, Gabe Mounekee, and a lot of other small forward will likely be available in the second round that would fit nicely with the rockets. Who know, maybee Mihm slips down. Mihm looks very strong, Mihm will not drop past the 5 pick. That's too bad since the rockets likely have a 10th pick.
I like Dermarr Johnson. I think he has big time potential. He is very young so it may take him a while. I think he has McGrady athleticism, but a better jumpshot. I also like Jason Collier with a later pick. He has good size. He's a little soft, but he has a nice outside touch and is a decent rebounder. I saw him against Duker earlier this year and he fought for post position and rebounded extremly well. I also like Etan Thomas. He has great leaping ability, can block shots, and his offense is improving. Collier and Thomas aren't lottery picks (especially Collier) but if we have those picks from Orlando and Detroit I think we look at these guys. We would have a ton of big men, but if we had Stevie, Mobley, and Dermarr our backcourt would be set.
Gabe is awesome. I had the privilege of watching the Texas-OU game courtside and let me tell you a few things about my favorite Longhorn. This guy is strong....real strong, nobody pushes Gabe around. He has a soft shooting touch, he can hit a set shot, and he can put the ball on the floor. He can also play on the other end a bit too. Offensively he can be a bit inconsistent, but I think a lot of that is Barnes' style of offense which I am still trying to figure out. To sum up....I'd take Gabe in a heartbeat if available in the 2nd, and if I were a GM at the end of the 1st I'd take him because of his strength and intensity.
Actually Etan Thomas looks like he's played his way into a sure fire lottery position. His offensive game has improved immensely and the Orangemen actually look like title contenders now that they have consistent perimeter scoring to complement Etan down low. Jason Collier looks to be a first rounder too. 7 footer with a plethora of low post moves. Has a good jump hook and a lot of fadeaways in his repetoire. Gabe might be the consummate tweener at the next level. He's probably closer to 6'6" than 6'7". Has very large, soft hands which is a plus. Good athleticism. A lot of fire. The only thing I hate is when I have to play with him. For as guy as big as he is in pick up games, he wines like a girl on every play for a foul. If you look up ESPN, Gerald Wallace is quoted as saying he'll definately make the jump straight out of high school if he's a top 8 pick. 6'7" swingman who is considered by quite a few high school experts as the number 1 player in the land. He is also suppose to be the most athletically gifted player amongst the top 100 seniors in the land. He has already academically qualified for Alabama. [This message has been edited by Da Man (edited January 21, 2000).]
