Mock Draft time: Already?

You're right. The Rockets don't have the luxury of going after projects. We need a sure shot pick.
Ibaka is a project. Thabeet is tall and can block shots but he is so deficient in so many other ways that I wouldn't go after him. Even Nathan Jawai looks more all rounded than him despite his lack of college experience.

 

C'mon, worst list ever. Including the HOF% chance just killed the writer's credibility.

I dunno if we should be getting a PG upgrade or backup C.

 

I vote more size.

 

Go BPA,nothing else will do.

 

That would be a great pick. We need an athletic shot blocker so in case Deke doesn't come back.

 

I agree. Maybe buy another second round pick to take another Landry-esque overlooked guy.

 

We obviously need a backup center, Thabeet is one option, but I think Robin Lopez might be a better long-term option.

What say you?

 

Robin Lopez is a better long-term option than Thabeet.

 

I say best player available regardless of position. That's what I say.

 

roy hibbert....

 

I still say Courtney Lee, I would probably take Hibbert over him.

 

I guess it's fun to say the Rockets should pick so-and-so, but I'm willing to bet that come draft night the Rockets are going to pick somebody you never expected and you'll be glad they did later. Aaron Brooks and Carl Landry are two excellent examples of this.

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draf.../columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=InOut

Chad Ford has listed these two international players as having declared or who are likely to declare:

Danilo Gallinari, SF, Italy
Ante Tomic, C, Croatia

Gallinari is projected as a lottery pick.

Ante Tomic is a PG turned C projected to be a late first round to second round pick.

Both play for teams Morey scouted on his recent Euro trip.

 

talk about having a growth spurt.

 

Have you seen the guy play?

I don't think its a waste to draft him. He is a beast on D.

In 31 mins, he had nice numbers (60 % fg, 4.5 blocks)

Link for Stats

 

Agreed. If this really is Deke's last year it makes sense for us to target quality backup C's like Hibbert or Thabeet. I'm all for taking a flyer on CDR, Rush, Courtney Lee or whoever but the point is there will always be more CDR's, Rush's and whoever else. Whether it's through the draft, trades or free agency. Swingmen are a lot easier to find than quality 7+ footers are.

Hibbert is NBA ready but probably near maxed out. Thabeet is somewhat NBA ready but with much more upside.

Either way, think of it like this. Think of the very limited things Deke is asked to do then ask yourself, "Why couldn't Hibbert or Thabeet do those same exact things?".

Not to take anything away from Deke but he isn't asked to do much. He's asked to rebound, block shots, make hustle plays and defend the paint. Would Hibbert or Thabeet really be incapable of performing that role?

 

nbadraft.net has us taking Hibbert in the 1st and DeMarcus Nelson in the second. WTF!!?? Nelson = Head - jumpshot. Why would we take an undersized shooting guard who is too slow to guard PG's, too small to guard SG's, can't shoot from anywhere, can't create his own shot, can't pass, can't handle, and has no court vision!?

 

Because he is a glue guy -- lots of intangibles and well spoken?

 

Hibbert would be a good Yao understudy.

 

I can't see Hibbert falling that low, I mean he's 7 freaking 2!!