http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=MockDraft-080520 Chad Ford has us picking: J. J. Hickson Position: PF Height: 6-9 Weight: 240 Age: 19 School: NC State The skinny: The Rockets got a big boost from rookie Luis Scola this season, but they could still use another strong, bruising power forward like Hickson. He's not ready for the NBA yet, but the Rockets can afford to develop him. We pass up Nathan Jawai and CDR for this guy? Is he nuts?
i wouldnt call jawai the savior of this team. i think we need a more athletic center to backup yao. someone who can run the court and who isnt a liability on the fast break as for hickson, high upside guy who's shown flashes of his vast potential. early projections may be to stromile, but this kid looks like he can actually put the ball on the floor and seems like he has the basis for a decent post game. i think our PF problems are solved for now with Scola/Landry though, so the pick doesnt make a whole lot of sense. i think if we bring Deke back, we can take a raw center to develop for a year or maybe a euro center that fits our needs that we can stash for a year. http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/nikolapekovic.html that dude could get a look at. 6'11 245lbs and is strong and physical. wont be asked to do very much, which i think is a good thing for a young euro big man. we just need him to rebound, block shots, and defend the paint when Yao is out. he's already 22, so hopefully he'll be ready to contribute soon. i will say that any SG/SF who fits our needs should be higher on our big board since he'll probably get more playing time than any center we draft.
i definitely think we should be looking at a sg/sf that can give us some offense off the bench. pf is solid now with scola, landry, and hayes. a backup center is a need, but with a pick this low in the first round we're not going to be able to get anyone that's going to contribute right away. i'd be happy with rush, cdr, or ellington. man, chad ford is dumb.
Is that assuming we don't resign Landry? At this point, especially for the price, I would consider the PF position one of the most solid parts of the team. Of course, with another option at PF, it helps having a more athletic team in there when Yao is on the bench. If you could collect some big guys who can give you 10-15 minutes and not be a complete offensive liability, you can try to limit Yao's minutes as well. I just went from not liking the selection to liking it in one paragraph.
That would be an okay pick. A backup center or SG/SF I think are things we need more. If Josh Childress was unrestricted and we could sign him then this type of pick makes sense. Unless we are trading or moving someone I do not see PF as a major need now if the best player by far is a PF then you have to pick it. I like CDR, I like Brandon Rush, I like Robin Lopez, I like the concept of getting a pick or two at the top of the second for a J.R. Giddens, Lester Hudson, Courtney Lee type. I think we have some flexiblity and there are some people who can score, our biggest weakness, in this draft. I like lester hudson there is something about that kid that could be great.
who cares if we draft this young kid, ya'll are acting like anyone we draft is gonna have a big role on this team. we might as well give this kid a shot. stro's problem was that he had no true mentor his first 5 years in the league. im sure deke, chuck, scola and the coaching staff could turn this kid into a player. dont forget we have olajuwon as an occasional mentor too.
What about this guy? Donte Greene NBA Comparison: Rashard Lewis/Marvin Williams Strengths: A long and versatile player that possesses tremendous perimeter skills … An athletic specimen with enormous potential … Deadly out of the triple threat, where he utilizes jabs and pump fakes to attack the opposition … A shot maker with the ability to convert on a variety of acrobatic and off-balance shots … His skill, athleticism and size make him a difficult match up … His leaping ability and body control allow him to finish over and around people in the lane … He possesses a terrific spin move … Also shows great form and range on his shot … Shows a nice pull up off the dribble … He's willing to mix it up in the post where his repertoire is growing, has a nice right mini-hook and a very effective fade away … Has a good feel for the ball, combined with his length make him a dangerous shot blocker as well as a disruptor in the passing lanes … Attacks the offensive glass aggressively … Has anyone seen him play?
Speights, McGee, Lopez, Jordan or Koufos. I would try and get me a future big on the cheap through the draft and spend the MLE or trade for a couple of veteran guys who can slash to the basket. Remember that big men cost more on the free agent mkt and getting a big through the draft for when Deke retires may be the way to go. Who knows. I think it's a fairly deep draft and there will probably be some teams the rockets could trade with to move into the teens, without having to give up a whole lot.
Speights - big guy, small spirit... he has a tendency to get pushed around down low. Plus he's not really a center, he's a power forward and we pretty well have that position covered. McGee - Probably my favorite pick of what you have listed here. But he's under the radar for the most part so you don't have to use the first round pick on him... unless he does something phenomenal at workouts, you could probably pick him up with a high second round pick if you really wanted him. Lopez - I am assuming you mean Robin? Though I think both of those twins guys are overrated for NBA standards. But he is at this point a one trick pony on offense and isn't really a defensive presence.. should have stayed in school and let Brook be the only Lopez in the draft. Jordan - Doesn't think he needs to play defense, which is not something you want on this team. Has the body to play big down low, but not the mentality. Another one that should stay in school and get better and more confident down low. Koufos - Has good hands and finesse moves on offense, but doesn't like contact. He would have to learn to play the post as a post player... much like Yao did with JVG, but with a lot less talent. Defensively he's slow but not so slow as he can't guard his man. Basically, he's a big ole project.
NOTHING good will EVER come to Houston if they draft a player from NC State. They robbed Dream, Clyde and Guy V. Don't let it happen twice.
If it was me i'd be looking at greene, rush, CDR, jefferson and budinger for the pick. All long athletic swingmen who could be future starters or useful backups to shane/mcgrady. Also throw a guy like augustin in the mix if he were to fall unless you are convinced brooks is the pg of the future. basically this team needs a swingman of the future more than anything.
