Who would fit better with the rockets? Gooden or Dunleavy? they both can play SF. Which is what the rockets need.
Gooden.I already started a thread on this, a week or so back, entitled If we don't get Ming, I want Gooden.
Enough with the Dunleavy babble, we are not interested in him. We need players who can score around the basket and can defend interior players. Thus off Duke, Boozer is the better fit, though I would find a place for the Williams fellow somehow if we were forced to take him. I actually like both Kansas's interior guys OK as well.
Amazing how people who seem to not know much of Dunleavy, will not hesitate to call him overrated, or the 2nd coming of Danny Ferry. Dunleavy is probably having the best season right now of any college player. Yes, better than his really OVERRATED PG Jason Williams. The Rockets do not need a guy who can only play when the ball is in his hands. Dunleavy is probably the best in NCAA, at being able to score without having the ball for more than a few seconds. He is great at finding open spots and spotting up for open jumpers, as well as making quick cuts to the bucket. His game matches the Rockets' needs more than any player I've seen this year. Of course, Rudy would probably only want him to shoot 3's all day, but Dunleavy is a much better all-around than some people give him credit for. Gooden is a PF. We do not need a 4th PF. Dunleavy would probably be the Rockets best passer and shooter right now.
I bought my ticket for the Gooden bandwagon last season, and I'm still holding it. (JAG, I think I responded in your Gooden thread) It's not about one being better than the other, just that Gooden is a well-rounded, athletic player who would help solidify 2 of the Rocks' most glaring needs: 1. Low-post\baseline play 2. Rebounding Gooden is the NCAA's version of Duncan this year, he's a double-double every night. He's developing a very well-rounded offensive game (already had a nice jumphook and drop-step, developing a turnaround and up-and-under), he boards, blocks shots, and is even starting to put the ball on the floor and create his own shots. The beauty of the Rocks' roster is that the PFs (especially KT and a slimmed-down MoT) could swing to SF if needed, and they all bring different skills to the table: KT - the slasher Mo - the ball-handler\jump-shooter Eddie - the shot-blocker\rebounder Gooden could be the low-post player\athlete, and could also swing between the froncourt positions (a little spot-duty at C, perhaps?), continuing the trend of complimentary Rocks' PF\SFs.
While we are at it, why not play Mooch at C? Gooden can play those positions OFFENSIVELY. But apparently, it hasn't occured to you that there are quick SF's in the NBA, who Gooden has no prayer of guarding. I find it hilarious that you have not considered that when a player isn't on offense, he is then on defense. Again, I concur that he has an all-around offensive game to play the 3/4/5, although I am very skeptical about his ball handling skills and passing skills, which would be very important, if he wants to play the 3.
I usually try to stay away from throwing dirt on one player to make another player look better, but... ...if you think Gooden has "no prayer" of defending NBA-quality SFs, what makes you think Dunleavy can? Dunleavy, who I like as a player and should be a good-to-great pro, isn't exactly a defensive stopper either. When he faced off against a true SF with NBA potential this season (T. Prince from Kentucky) he didn't exactly distance himself from Prince nor shut Prince down. Statistically, they both played to a virtual draw and had solid games (I'll give Dunleavy a slight advantage from the matchup). I would just stick to the "Dunleavy is better suited than Gooden to play SF" card (which he is, for now). If you're really concerned about finding a SF who plays both ends, I say try to trade the pick plus players to Orlando for Grant Hill, and call it a day. On second thought, never mind.
Valid points... However, I think Dunleavy at the very least, has much better SF skills than Gooden. I see Gooden as primarily a PF, who may play SF or C, if he plays under a coach who likes to use crazy lineups, ala Rudy. Dunleavy could play SG or PF (he does it now, but could use some more pounds) as well as Gooden can play SF or C. I think both players are very versatile. But, since the Rockets need a SF, I think Dunleavy is the better SF.
What I wan't for the Rockets is an inside scorer. A guy with a knack around the basket due to quickness and feel plus defensive skills. He doesn't have to be really tall because EG is, an Antwain Jamison or young Ceballos type would work great. Just my opinion, but it is interior D and an easy basket producer is what I think we most need (outside of a hard to find solid center prospect), Dunleavy, more of an outside focused offensively player and not particularly athletic for an NBA forward , doesn't fit much to me.
I'd rather have Stojakovic instead of Dunleavy playing for the Rockets. Why not trade the pick for him?
I see Gooden kind of similar to Chris Webber-monster offensive tools, and rebounding, solid defender but not an intimidator. He doesn't have C-Webb's passing skills, but has similar handles. nbadraft.net says Jermaine O'Neal, which is one of the strangest comparisons I've heard, because what O'Neal does with his length and shotblocking skills is not even close to being a facet of Gooden's game. Live-remember though, Prince is the #1 option at UK, while Dunleavy is the #2 or #3, behind Jason Williams, and sometimes Carlos Boozer. I don't think this draft is thick in starting SFs. Maybe Dunleavy comes out (I don't think he will), other than that, there's Prince, and Yarbrough, and the possibilities of Darius Rice, Jared Jeffries (I consider him a combo forward), Jason Kapono, and Caron Butler. All have starter potential, but all have defects that may have a very high bust risk. If you're really dead-set on a 3, you're better off trading the pick, or prep for a strong run at Rashard Lewis.
All points are well taken, especially about the lack of quantity and quality at SF for this year's draft. I'm set on the belief that the Rocks need more offensive balance and a high percentage offensive player. Gooden seems to fit the role quite well. BTW, barring a trade, the Rocks should have the Raptors' #1 pick this year. Prince, Yarborough, and\or Butler could all be available when that selection comes around (I'm a Yarborough fan, BTW), so who knows.
What a surprise, common sense eluding an Aggie. What I meant was, not many teams trade their young ALL-STAR players for a 5-10 draft pick. Unless of course, they were Aggies.
