as far as drafting a center, we still do need a backup center behind Yao. again, we need to diversify our team. someone who is athletic, crashes the boards, defends the paint, and blocks shots is what we need. someone who compliments Yao's weaknesses. Someone who can run on fast breaks and finish. someone who really bangs down low and gets physical in the paint. i think Robin Lopez COULD be that guy, but at times he seems a bit stiff. i think CDR provides more value than Lopez, but Lopez provides more value than Rush since we already have Battier.
Rush consistently scored 13 pts for 3 years of college basketball. He never shot above 47% FG, and this year he shot 43% in fact. Battier (interesting comparison, as a collegiate athlete): 13.6 ppg for his 4 years, with 50% career avg. But he scored 17 ppg his junior year, and 20 ppg his last year. Shane never shot below 47% I maintain Rush is very overrated in this draft. edit: Battier shot about 2x as many free throws per year. Rush is not taking it to the rack with any consistency, and he is more contact evasive (just going by the raw stats at least).
What are the rockets going to do when Deke retires after next season? And how expensive is a center on the free agent market compared to the rookie salary scale and what 2 or 3 in this draft do you think will come in his roookie year to make a huge impact on a veteran team. I'll guarantee you that any rookie the rockets draft at #25 will be riding the bench most of the season no matter what position he is. I personally think that there are two players in this draft that could help the rockets next season and that's Mario Chalmers and Rush, but the rockets will have to trade up in this draft to have a chance at picking them.
If Yao Ming goes down, it doesn't matter who are backup to our backup is: We're not going to win in the playoffs. You don't draft someone who could potentially fill the backup's backup role if your big star goes down over someone who could be in the rotation all year.
I'm not sure I like either for us. However, if I'm forced to choose, I'll take Rush. The better shooter and more athletic player, maybe he can't create for himself that much, but hell he isn't supposed to. If you're expecting to like be the next Tmac (creating star for future) then you're just a loon. I like him to become a nice pro who probably doesn't achieve what ppl expect but still ends up having some success. I think CDR will be good too though. Anyway it's the 25th pick so don't expect any megastars in this bunch (unless you mean Serge Ibaka, that kid could be like black dunking jesus)
I think Rush might be the next Josh Howard. Athletic, long arms, defends. I like CDR's scoring ability though.
Some of this is inaccurate (I'm being picky, but Rush did shoot over 47% as a freshman) and some of it deserves to be explained in more depth than these raw numbers provide. For example, Rush had an ACL injury, so the lack of improvement from his sophomore year to his junior year is not only unsurprising, but expected. Also, look at minutes per game and shot attempts per game, both of which are important when comparing the scoring averages of two players. Adjusting for minutes and shots per game, they scored at a similar rate, with Battier being a bit more efficient. Here's the main issue for me, though. Battier's weaknesses as a player are his lack of athleticism and the fact that he dribbles like a 6th grader. That combination is a death sentence for a perimeter player on the NBA level. While I realize that Brandon Rush doesn't jump out of the gym or dribble circles around his defender, I would argue that his athleticism and ball handling skills will not hinder his transition to the NBA nearly as much as Mr. Battier.
You're right. Although Clutchcity is right that you should take into account Rush's ACL injury and that Battier is not as athletic as Rush. When I was watching the highlight video of Rush, I didn't see him break down the defense and create his shot. This is what I've always wanted on the bench, someone who can get his points by creating it for himself. I like CDR's game. People sour on him b/c he LOOKS like he moves like an old man, but he has deceptive quickness. He has those "in-between" shots that scorers have: the floaters, the stop and pop. He is also pretty good at breaking down his defender with his handle.
I have come to the same realization as well. I prefer guys who can create their shot more than shooters,that's why I leaned towards CDR but Rush is more mature,a better shooter,more athletic and can put the ball on the floor to an extent as well.The difference between the two on creating their own shot isn't much anyway. Defense wise he is somewhat better than CDR too. CDR can be a good role player and is taller but Rush might turn out to be a better pro than him. Serge Ibaka isn't a Malick Badiane or a Saer Sene but he needs a lot of time to improve IMO.
I'm sorry about the 47%. I believe it was just over 47% as a freshman. I was not meaning to distort that. And good point on the adjustments to a per-minute basis, and his ACL injury. I have to say though, in my biased way: the ACL history, and not playing the college minutes that Battier played... doesn't help my opinion of Rush.
I really don't know -- besides the rumor is we're trying to trade down for one. But we seem to never be able to get the guy we want. If they're both gone, I still take the best available wing player. I'll hate this team if they draft a 3rd string C in the 1st round - we're trying to WIN next year, aren't we?
I agree with you to a certain extent, but I think when its all said and done the rockets will pick the best player available at #25 no matter what position.
I'd go in this order Rush Lee CDR I think Rush should produce something right away, and CDR should have himself a decent NBA career. Courtney Lee is who i'm thinking - long term - will be the best of the 3 players. I think once he blossoms he will be a spectacular player in the league. For immediate help though, we should try and get Rush. Something tells me though that we wont end up with any of the 3.
I agree with thread starter CDR all the way baby. Lets look back at this thread after the season starts who is for CDR over Rush. Rush has no handles and cannot creat his own shot. An a whopping 13 pts a game no thank you. If he goes to a sorry team you will see he will be a marginal NBA player like his brothers. Buckets on the other hand can dribble and create his own shot, everybody talks about his athleticsim see Kevin Love poster.
Rush is a better athlete than Josh. Rush is considered to be an explosive athlete while Josh is more of an agile and fluid athlete.
Check out the NBA Profile for Brandon Rush. Player he sees himself most compared to? Tracy McGrady. LOL. "I was the Tracy McGrady of Kansas." By the way... I don't see the comparison. The same site notes his lack of handles and that he doesn't like to go to the rim.
