ESPN strikes again - comments on Gooden's Workout Friday, May 24 Gooden, three others work out for Rockets Associated Press ------------------------------------------------------------------------ HOUSTON -- Probable lottery pick Drew Gooden of Kansas was among four players who went through workouts Friday with the Houston Rockets, who have the No. 1 pick in the June 26 draft. ``I think I'd fit in well with the Rockets,'' Gooden said. ``They need big guys and I believe I can help. They are a team with a lot of playoff potential. I think I showed them my capabilities in the drills.'' The Rockets have continued working out players in preparation for the draft while pursuing information about 7-5 center Yao Ming of China, who could be the first player taken in the draft. Oregon center Chris Christoffersen, forward Tayshaun Prince of Kentucky and forward Amare Stoudemire of Orlando, Fla., Cypress Creek High School also went through drills with the Rockets. ``This doesn't make me nervous. All I have to do is come in and show what I can do,'' Stoudemire said. ``I think my body is ready for the pros. I think it is ready to come up to the pro level.'' Christoffersen liked his Rockets' workout. ``I shot the ball better today,'' he said. ``I think size is what I bring. I think I'm agile for my size.'' Prince is among the top small forwards in the draft. ``This was a dream for me,'' Prince said. ``All young kids start out looking up to guys and they want to play against them.''
Not that this is necessarily a bad thing for a ballplayer, but Amare Stoudamire sounds incredibly cocky, based on quotes from this and other articles. I bet he's the cockiest prospect in the lottery. Woods, on the other hand, sounded diplomatic. Butler sounded good too. Again, that says nothing about whether we should draft them or not.
I don't think that cockiness is a bad thing, particularly in a big man. People seem to be put off by his lack of an outside shot, but IMO I would rather have a big man with an inside game any day. Now of course both would be optimal, but gaining range on your shot is not near as hard to develop as a dominant post game. I think this guy is going to be pretty special.
I would like to see Ming,Stoudamire and Butler on the team but we have two picks although I'm very happy that we have the 1st pick.
