I've obviously never even seen the guy play but I like everything that I've read about him. What cinched it for me was when I read this quote: "He's held his own in workouts with Shane Battier and obviously shot better than Wallace in the Chicago session. His best skill -- passing -- isn't being seen as much in the individual workouts.". If the guy is a good passer and a good shooter and he can go to the hole and he's a great athlete and he's 6'9", then I'll take my chances on him. If we can move up to top 4,then do it, but I'm not sure moving to 7 or 9 would be worth it. If we can't get into the top 4, then I'm hoping that we get Radmanovic at #13 and that somehow, Hunter is there at #18. Even if Gasol is better than Radmanovic, can he be enough of an upgrade to justify giving up the 18th also? ------------------
aelliott -- good point. Out of curiosity -- why Hunter out of the centers with #18? I know his stock is rising... just curious if you had a take on him. The Rockets could afford to add 2 prospects in the draft, but not 3 -- in that scenario they'd have to dump off #23 I would guess. I still prefer dumping all 3 picks for one higher pick, but I do like Radmanovic enough (from what I've heard and read) to "settle" for him at #13 if no deal can be reached. My take on Gasol is he's 7'1"... if he really has a likeness to Garnett and can shoot from the outside, I would love to give him a shot. ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
Clutch, Hunter just seems to have a really big upside. He's a legit 7 footer that is athletic and runs the floor very well. Since he's been working out with a personal trainer, he's added 20 to 25 lbs. Diop has great potential, but he's a risk. If you're going to basically trade your entire draft for a player, then they better be a pretty sure thing. We have to get something out of this draft and I don't want to risk everything on Diop. Woods and Haywood still scare me. Woods has a bad back and he's always played soft. I know he's gained weight since the season ended, but I don't think that will neccessarily change the way he plays. He might be ok on the right team, but if we ended up resigning Taylor, that would be a terrible combination. To me, Haywood is way too similar to Cato for the Rockets to risk. Collins isn't as athletic as Hunter and doesn't have the athleticism or defensive presence. I know Johnson is a popular pick here, but he just has a much lower ceiling than Hunter. Johnson doesn't have the offensive potetial of Hunter, he's a couple of inches shorter and not as athletic. Johnson at #18 would be a reach, however if we did keep 3 picks I'd be happy also selecting Johnson at #23. My best draft day scenario would be Radmanovic, Hunter and Johnson,but they're simply not going to keep all three picks. As far as Gasol, all the comparisions to Garnett have been on the offensive side. He's generally been described as a poor defender. If you take away Garnett's defense, then I'm not sure that you're left with enough. Offense isn't really our problem. My opinion is if you're going to trade up, then you have to come away with Griffin, Brown or Curry. ------------------ [This message has been edited by aelliott (edited June 24, 2001).]
Regardless of whether we trade up or not, the Rockets should not be looking for players that need the ball a whole lot. Sure, great shooting and passing skills would help the team but not as much as drafting tough, workhorse players who can rebound and block shots. If we trade up, then this the best player who fits that mold is DeSagana Diop, who is only a risk in terms of his offense but his rebounding and shot blocking ability are said by many scouts to be at an NBA level. ------------------ If you have nothing nice to say, say it anyway.
I don't think that Diop is a sure thing,even defensively. It's a big jump from HS to the NBA. Diop will no longer have the tremendous physical advantage that he enjoyed in HS. He's got the tools to be good defensively, but it's not a lock. I agree with you that we need defense and rebounding, but I also don't believe that we can have a guy that has no offensive skills whatsoever. In the past, if you had a guy that couldn't play offense, then you just stood him out at the 3 point arc and drew his man away from the basket. With the new rules, if a guy isn't any sort of offensive threat, then his man will be free to roam around and clog up the middle. I'd prefer Diop over Hunter, but to get Diop we'd have to trade up, so I'd still rather go with Radmanovic and Hunter instead of just Diop. ------------------ [This message has been edited by aelliott (edited June 24, 2001).]
I'm also on the Radmanovic bandwagon. I like Pau Gasol (and I'm not certain that defense can't be taught to someone that young), but don't want the Rockets to get into a bidding war with Boston. I think we'd be overpaying, trying to get above a team with better ammunition. Houston might have to trade up for Radmanovic, but they wouldn't be dealing with Boston, and could probably put together a better pick/deal than anyone else trying to move up to get him. The idea of him coming and playing *this* year is also a major plus. Just hope the Celtics don't start thinking along the same lines . Wink: I disagree about not needing another scorer. You can't win a title with just guards doing the scoring, and Mo T obviously isn't a guy who can score 18 a game for a high caliber squad. Personally, I don't think Cat and Stevie will ever duplicate their scoring from last year if the front court improved - they probably scored so much because there wasn't anyone else. ------------------ Newbiehad... coming to a bbs near you, October 31st. [This message has been edited by haven (edited June 24, 2001).]
One thing that shocked me about Diop-ESPN the Magazine said he averaged 8 ASSISTS per game. I think he'll be a good NBA defensive player, that'll be a zone anchor, maybe at his prime put up numbers similar to Ratliff. aelliott-what do you think of Dalembert? The guy's got an incredible NBA body-6'11'' 250, 7'7'' wingspan, but lacks many of the skills. It's starting to sound like we may have to trade up if we want Radmanovic. ------------------ "I think alot of people find Cato's game to be very offensive." -aelliott, comparing the offensive skills of Kelvin Cato and Michael Olowokandi
Re: Dalembert I recall when I first read an article about Eddie Griffin's adjustment to his first few weeks at Seton Hall. Griffin, as you know, was also considering jumping straight to the NBA from high school. But after getting shot after shot blocked by Dalembert in practice, he said he'd decided he was glad for the college experience. All the reports I've heard on Dalembert, though, say he's all defense and no offense. Then again, you could say the same about Mutombo, but that's still a good guy to have on your team. ------------------
I'm on the Radmanovic bandwagon as well. Why move up into the top 6 and give up more than you want to to draft an unproven highschooler with questionable a work ethic/weight problems, Curry, or health problems, Diop? The only highschool big men you move up for is Brown IMO. Of those two players, Curry is the only one with NBA level offensive skills right now. Personally, I don't think either of them are going to be great defensive players, especially Curry, so what's the point of drafting up for them? Their offense? The last thing this team should be worried about is offense. With a Stephen Hunter you get a legit 7 footer with defensive and outletting skills that rival any of the other highly toted big men. That's another thing that people overlook is the fact that these highschoolers are not great outletters. I keep on hearing that if we get Webber that our fast break game will improve, but I just don't buy it. Webber is not the rebounder people make him out to be, and I don't care if his stats contradict what I say. The reason the Kings are such a good running team is because all of their starters can initiate a fastbreak, even Divac. It doesn't hurt that they've running a zone the past 3 years either. The real reason I think are running game suffered is because Shandon can't start a fast break. The man can't dribble. You get a point forward(forwards with very good dribbling skills-Hedo, Peja) and your fastbreak will improve. That's why I'm high on Radmanovic. If he's as good as Turkoglu, I'd be ecstatic. I'd only want them to trade up if they can manage to keep the 18 or 23, preferrably the 18th, because teams between 18 and 23 are looking for big men ie: Orlando. Kwame Brown, Eddie Griffin, Rodney White and Joe Johnson are the only players I want to move up for, and I don't think they'd have to move up past 7 if they want Johnson or Radmanovic, who I've heard Cleveland has taken a liking to. ------------------ [This message has been edited by tacoma park legend (edited June 24, 2001).]
I'd only want them to trade up if they can manage to keep the 18 or 23, preferrably the 18th, because teams between 18 and 23 are looking for big men ie: Orlando. If I had to bet money on where Hunter ends up going, I'd have to put my money on him going #15 to Orlando. ------------------
aelliot, Wouldn't you think the Magic go for a point guard? Tinsley or Cook may well be there when they pick and Armstrong is getting up there in age. I know they don't want their future point guard to be Troy Hudson. The Magic are pretty much guaranteed of landing Davis or Webber, so they could realistically draft a Samuel Dalembert with the 22nd. ------------------
Nah, the Magic's point of the future is Grant Hill. Word has it that if Tinsley is available, they'll take him. But, if he's not, they want Zach Randolph, with Hunter being the next option - though they hope he falls to 22. ------------------
About Gasol...I'd heard somewhere that unlike Nowitzki and the other tall Euro players, Gasol is a decent shotblocker and rebounder. Is this true? Also, Clutch, are the comparisons between him and Garnett based on similar build, athletic ability, defensive ability, or what? I have not seen him play and I would like to know what would make people compare two players who would seem to be so different. ------------------
Wouldn't you think the Magic go for a point guard? Well, they do still have Armstrong. He's not their long term answer, but he's light years ahead of what they have at center. Also, as pointed out above, they'll probably try to play Hill, McGrady and Miller at the same time. They're suppose to be high on Hunter, so I think they'll grab him at #15 if he's there and then if Cook is available at #22, they'd take him. ------------------
I have not seen him play and I would like to know what would make people compare two players who would seem to be so different. It probably starts when somebody says 'Hey, can anybody name a 7'1" small forward?' and the only two that they can come up with are Garnett and Gasol. ------------------
Radman sounds like the real deal, but, if we do work out a trade with the Bulls, then I hope we not only get #4 but also #30 to get Diop and then T. Morris. If we toss in their Bryce Drew obligation, maybe they will let us keep #18 to pick up Radman or a backup shooting guard like Trenton Hassell. And sign Mo-T and Hakeem! Hakeem / Diop Mo-T / Collier T-Mo / Langhi Mobley / Radman or Hassell Francis / Norris ------------------
What about Dirk Nowitzki, Kukoc, or the any of the other tall Euro SFs who have come into the league recently. I found a Garnett comparison odd b/c the other player I have heard compared to Garnett is Kwame Brown, and I have no idea what a HS post player and a European wing player would have in common ------------------
Hey, I'm from Spain and see a lot of times Gasol play. As I posted before, I really think that Gasol and Garnett have things in common. For example 1. Shot-blocking 2. They play a lot above the rim 3. Gasol is too very quick 4. Make a lot of dunks and alley-hops 5. Good post moves and a nice jump hook (really unstopable with height of 7'1, 7'5 of wingspan and a good jump). I think that Garnett will really be his model, although now he needs to get stronger and improve his game.
I agree with you that we need defense and rebounding, but I also don't believe that we can have a guy that has no offensive skills whatsoever. In the past, if you had a guy that couldn't play offense, then you just stood him out at the 3 point arc and drew his man away from the basket. With the new rules, if a guy isn't any sort of offensive threat, then his man will be free to roam around and clog up the middle.-aelliot That's true, but with somebody like Diop at center, who will undoubtedly be a presence simply for his size, your defense will be pretty damn good. Heypardna's argument remains that the teams with the most dominant big men will benefit the most. While Diop won't be a dominant big man from the start, if he simply gives an effort out there (unlike our friend Cato), he can make an impact. Won't his presence on defense outweigh the negatives on offense? You can't win a title with just guards doing the scoring, and Mo T obviously isn't a guy who can score 18 a game for a high caliber squad. -Haven Why do you feel Tay can't score 18 on a high calibur squad? His offense is the only thing he's got going for him, and many here feel resigning Tay would be great, despite his poor board work. That shows you something about his offensive game. Towards the 2nd half of the season, his scoring really picked up, once he got accustomed to our offense. Plus, with him only being 24, the only way he has to go is up. I think he can definately score 18 a game. ------------------ PrEsident of The Danforth Langhford FAN CLUB... He IS our future All-Star Small Forward
Radmanovic will probably be gone before the 13th pick as his stock has been on the rise. If the Celts cant move up to get Gasol, I think they'll be glad to take Radmanovic as a consolation prize with one of their picks. This could be where talk of trading up to the 9th pick with Detroit comes in. If the Pistons truly like Brendan Haywood as has been stated, they could trade down to 13th and draft him along with picking up the 23rd selection. This type of scenario obviously wouldnt unfold till draft day b/c both teams would want to make sure their targeted players are avail. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
