With respect, I don't think you can write off a guy that young who has been playing on a bad team. Let's give the guy some room to grow a bit. It took Landry two years to 'figure things out', and look at how he has grown as a player. Granted, he's obviously a different talent than Hill, but don't write a guy off in his rookie year.
So do the Rockets wrap Hill in cotton wool and keep him safe and unknown until draft night or play him to gauge next season? Playing him could boost his stock or risk hurting his trade value. http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/2010/02/18/PressConKMartTrade021810wmv-1235553/index.html Does this draft present an opportunity to the Rockets to snare immediate help who could also be a potential franchise big man? Houston's own 1stR pick + right to swap for NY's 2011 pick + Hill + Taylor (via min except) → move up the draft
Jeffries is a scrub, IMO. I have always liked Hilton as a backup C, to come in and clog the middle. He always seemed to play ok, and thought he might fit in here. Be fun to watch RA juggle the lineup. DD
It says here that they absolutely will not hide Hill on the bench. They will do everything they can to bring him along.
FWIW, I agree with your assessment of Armstrong. He is a good character who will not grow impatient playing second fiddle to Yao Ming. Also, he brings a different subset of skills, particularly defensive. I'd love to pick up a young center like DeAndre Jordan, Kyrilo Fesenko, Johan Petro or Amir Johnson, but I think Armstrong will do nicely. As for Hill, I would like to see Carroll Dawson come out of "retirement" and work with him like he did the Dream. If CD gives Adelman a "thumbs up," then the Rockets develop him. If "thumbs down," we use him to sweeten our draft pick in a trade to move up or combine both plus Battier to acquire a first-rate player Adelman feels we need.
We'll see soon enough if Jeffries warrants the "scrub" title, but I don't think he does. He's way overpaid, so production re salary is seriously out of whack, but that isn't his fault (blame Thomas and his agent). If Hilton doesn't get his head screwed on tight and plays up to his potential every game, he's far more likely to earn the scrub label, in my opinion. I hope Adelman and his staff can light a fire under the guy. They can't do anything about Jeffries not having a jumper. He is what he is.
By playing Lowry, Battier, Jefferies and Hayes off the bench. We have 4 players that will be an absolute nightmare for opposition team. Getting impress with all the reports on Jefferies defensive skill. Battier looks so expendable by off season.
In all seriousness, this is the way I see it too. Jeffries was a starter. Granted it was for the Knicks and it was mostly because I think they wanted the scoring of Harrington off the bench but a starter none the less. Thankfully, he won't have to start for us but I think he will be very much a rotation player for us through the end of his contract. I expect they will work with Hill like they worked with Dorsey to help him to be a better play to either help the team of drive up his trade value - or both. I'd love for all the Rocket players to have a positive impact but I see Hilton as the one that will have the least amount of impact. As much as the Rockets need a Yao reliever and backup, I expect Hilton to be gone when his contract expires this summer.
