If the Rockets had the number 1 pick, whom should they take?

i'd take morrison. i don't know if he'll be an all-star but i have no question he can put the ball in the basket.

 

I think the following players will have fine careers, but at #1 we need a starter and none of them fit that description either because they aren't ready or because they play occupied positions...

Morrison (according to Don MacLean, who he's been training with, he is strictly a SF in the NBA. Period.)
Gay (SF)
M. Williams (PG)
Bargnani (he's not ready to start)

I think Tyrus Thomas will be a bust.

That really only leaves 2 guys...

1a Roy
1b Aldridge

I have to put Roy slightly ahead simply because we already have 3 PFs and ZERO SG's (if you count Head, we have only 1).

SG is obviously the greatest need, so we take the best SG in the draft. Really it's that simple so I don't know why my post was so long

 

Bargnani #1.

Many people feel that he is a player that is not ready to contribute because of his age/experience and his euroleague credentials.

He is coming off a Treviso team that just won a championship thanks to his significant contributions. For that reason alone I think that he is going to be able to contribute and play at the NBA level next season. He can already spread the defense and I think his biggest weakness is defense. At this moment he is no worse than Morrison defensively.

I think with his size and ability at the PF position, the potential for becoming a huge mismatch problem for opposing teams in the future is too big to pass up. Oh and did I mention he can shoot, 40 plus percent from behind the 3 line.

 

I would take LaMarcus Aldridge because he provides scoring, rebounding and space for Yao Ming to operate. Aldridge can play close or mid-range and punish teams that would double-team Yao. Also, he is more of a local player -- perhaps that would help remove the curse of the Rockets for not choosing other locals (Clyde Drexler and Rashard Lewis, for example) when they had the chance.

Andrea Bargnani would be a very close second choice. He provides more range than Aldridge but less rebounding. He will be faster and more mobile than Aldridge, but Aldridge ultimately will be stronger and more adaptable to playing center when Yao Ming needs to sit for one reason or another.

Athletic big men who can defend and shoot with range and percentage are difficult to find -- much more so than a SG who can actually shoot and defend the perimeter.

 

Mario Williams?

Unfortunately, I have been a Houston sportsfan for many years, and I have this sick feeling that the Rockets will find some way to disappoint their fans. Historically, Houston sports teams have been very poorly managed. I hope I am wrong. Please let me be wrong.

 

#1: If you have the 1st pick ...you don't select off "need." BPA Yes, we need a SG but who cares if you have the 1st pick?

#2: JVG has already said that he is selecting a player based on offense and he'll teach defense when he arrives. ie...team defense wins ...not individual defense.

So all this talk about Morrison and Bargnani being defensive liabilities is hogwash. Everybody is so worried about matching up w/ the Suns but do you think they are worried about defensive liabilities? No. They want gunners 1st. We need the best offense player and we'll work out the rest later.

I'd take Morrison 1st. He's a proven player that is ready to contribute today and has the potential to be an all-star one day. If he simply becomes a solid role player, that's ok too given that we have TMac and Yao already.

 

adam morrison in a heartbeat. if you wouldnt take morrison with the #1 pick in this draft, you are stupid. in fact go lay down in the middle of 45. The guy does EVERYTHING!!! first off, obviously this guy is an incredible scorer that can shoot the ball from anywhere on the court. his passing ability is vastly underrated and he can create off the dribble better than anyone in this draft. not to mention he has a decent post game, drives with ease, and handles the ball better than most of the players in this draft. you are saying that you dont like a guy that is a complete gym rat, a guy that constantly tries to better himself? talk about a player with more heart than anyone in recent memory. talk about a guy who carried gonzaga through the tournament. i mean the zags were in the top 5 for a few weeks because he brought them there. it was all morrison, sorry not bautista. and if your argument is about the diabetes you are a freaking idiot. there are tons of athletes that have diabetes. lance had cancer. think of mourning with his health issues, griffey, barry, i mean there are tons of people with health issues that excel in their sports. i mean the guy only dominated the college game while having diabetes, give me a break. the main knock on morrison is defense, but who is really a lockdown out of college? not wade, not kobe, not anybody, not even YAO MING and the guy is 20 feet tall. the point is that there really is nothing wrong with morrison and he could go number 1 in many drafts of years past and frankly the rockets should do everything in their power to get him

 

morrison ... and if he's there at #5 instead of roy, i'll be more than happy ... and i'll let my stache grow

 

I am not sure if people even watched Bargnani- forget the 3 pointers etc- but the way he handles the ball and the Block shots! Can you imagine 2 7 footers who have all star capabilities and TMAC on the Court!

If the need is for a 4 that can stretch defenses and can be mobile- there is no way you can go with anyone else.

La Marcus aldridge- is a popular choice, but his shot from 18 ft is nothing to write home about.

 

Gay, then Bargnani.

 

Gay (best player) or Roy (fits need).

Getting Gay (insert snicker here) would force TMac to play some 2 and Gay some 4. I suspect this will cause more problems for the opponents defense versus the Rockets defense.

 

Bargnani, then Roy, nuff said.

 

Gay
Roy
Bargnani
Thomas/Brewer (Tossup)
Morrison
Aldridge

 

isn't gay going to drop down to us?

 

Not likely. Gay might be had at the 4th or 5th pick. I have got him going number in my mock so I am betting that he won't fall at all.

 

I would have to go with Morrison because he is the only player that other teams would have to game plan for.

He is the best offensive weopon in this draft by far and teams would have to game plan for him right away. That would give us three players (TMac, Yao and Morrison) that teams would have to game plan for. One of those three will always either be open or single covered and all three will destroy most defenses if not doubled.

Morrison.

 

I agree 100%

Other than Morrison the only other proven top 5-6 pick is Sheldon Williams and Morrison has more upside than him.

All the other guys have potential ie. Thomas Aldridge but the time is now for Rocketball to make a title run!

 

Morrison- He's 6'8 and shoots from behind his head and played on a team in which everyone knew he was coming. He will be a good scorer from day 1 and even though Toronto will probably take the Euro, Chicago will probably take Aldridge, I cant see Portland or Charlotte passing on him. Especially Portland who have High school kids like Webster,Outlaw and Telfair. Morrison also is from the northwest and will help the blazers in other ways. I think if Bobcats draft Morrison, Wallace might be on the blks, but maybe not.

 

This is a great explanation.

JVG once said that you always want players that "warp" what happens on the court ...players like TMac and Yao. You add another offensive threat like Morrison at 6'8" on the court, talk about warping things.

 

I would pick Morrison because of his superior offensive skills and our need for a third scorer. I know his defense may not be up to par, but defense is all about effort and Morrison plays hard. He could learn to be an adequate defender. Roy would fill our two guard needs, but I can't see picking him with the first pick and I'd rather have JJ if we're going to draft a two guard.