I don't think it's as bad as some people think. The Rockets couldn't get who the players they wanted who thy thought might fall like Mike Miller or DerMarr Johnson. The Rockets instead made moves to aquire players who would fit in and contribute. Jason Collier is a PF/C who is a very good shooter. He can shoot over people with a hand in his face and with a hook shot. He shot 37% from the three point line at Georgia Tech. But don't think Collier is just a perimeter player. He's worked on his inside game as well. In his senior season, Collier attempted one less three a game and grabbed two more boards per game than he did in his junior season. His 9.2 rebounds per game was near top 25 in the nation. According to the Rockets, Collier fits their system. Because he has an outside shot, he can draw out opposing power forwards/centers allowing Francis and Mobley to drive to the hoop. He can also knock down the jumper under any situation. He does have decent inside game but it needs work. He benefit Houston more than Pryzbilla would have. Dan Langhi is a 6-11 SF/PF that was the SEC player of the year at Vanderbilt. He was 11th in the nation in scoring at 22.1 ppg. He also grabbed 6 boards as well as shooting 40% from the three point line and 87% from the charity stripe(13th in nation). I don't think Langhi is a Bullard clone. I prefer to think of him more like Dirk Nowitzki. According to his college coach, Langhi creates problems because he can post, drive, and shoot. Overall, the Rockets didn't do too badly. The first round pick is suspect but I'm not too upset. Pryzbilla will be a better player than Collier but Pryzbilla has no spot on this team as long as Cato is here. Maybe the fact that they didn't keep Pryz is because they don't plan on trading Cato. Collier, while not the answer, will have a role on this team. If we re-sign Carlos Rodgers then there really wouldn't have been a point in drafting Jerome Moiso. I'm happy with the second round pick. I like Langhi alot and think he could develop into a very good all around offensive player. Overall Rating: C++ (Better than what people give us credit for as they get players that can contribute but not good enough to get a B-) ------------------
Cougar Brass, Pretty similar to my take. Last night I wasn't happy about the draft, but now that I've thought about it more, it's not so bad. Collier and Langhi are typical Rudy guys: -4 Year college players -can play multi positions -good shooters They give us some flexibility in the combinations that we can put on the court. It's pretty obvious that unless we can get a monster post player, then the game plan is to spread the floor and allow the guards to penetrate and create. Both of these guys can knock down the open jumpers. These are guys that the opposition won't be able to leave on the perimeter. That will force more one on one coverage of Stevie and that's nothing but good for the Rockets. That type of attack was pretty successful for Indiana in the Finals and Francis is much tougher to defend than Rose, Miller or Best. Collier's got some potential to develop a nice pick n' roll game with Francis. As you said he's got some post up game, can rebound and block a few shots. I kept envisioning Pryzbilla as a more athletic Ostertag, so I wasn't too enthused about him. I'd compare Langhi more to Stojakovic from Sacramento. SEC player of the year is pretty impressive considering that a guy named Stromile Swift played in the SEC. To top things off we got an extra pick next year (Bucks won't be top 10). Now we're owed picks from Detroit, Milwaukee, Orlando and Phoenix. That should give us some flexibility in moving up in future drafts or making deals. ------------------ [This message has been edited by aelliott (edited June 29, 2000).]
I see us pulling an Orlando next year. Having all those picks, but not using any of them, except for a lottery one (if we have one). I'm pretty happy with the draft as well. If we would've passed on Miller or Johnson, then I'd be pretty damn upset, but considering who was available, we came out pretty good (I'm going to be sick and tired after the 4,678th Collier=Bullard "joke", just because they're both white, though). ------------------ "Go to hell Costas"-Dave Nelson after sweeping the ABSCAs on NewsRadio visit www.swirve.com
I think Collier is a player and may have a better pro career than Pryz. Collier led the ACC in rebounding, which is what I think really caught Rudy's and Carol's eyes. The kid can definitely shot the mid range jumper, so I don't think this is a completely wasted pick. The Buck's future first round pick (which is very likely to be next year's pick, barring majories on their part) eases the pain. Langhi I do not get, especially since we threw a future second round pick to get him. I will be surprised if Langhi makes the team; most second rounders don't. I would have been happier if we drafted a project like Ernest Brown, sent him to Europe, and see if he turns into a player down the road. For both picks what upsets me most is that they are both half court players. I thought the Rocks were building a fast break, full court team. ------------------
Well, the reason Orlando did it, was to get under the cap by 18 mill. If we left draft night with 8 future first rounders, I'd be happy. I was in a state of shock at the pick with Collier, it was pathetic. Moiso sitting on the table...nope, don't want him. We take Pryzbilla. That kind of ticked me off, but I liked it a bit better....then we trade him to the Bucks to get an unathletic 7 footer. Oh man, that sucked. Then in the 2nd round, I was thrilled before our pick. We could've had a defensive stud in Mickeal, another good center in Ernest Brown, a possible superstar in Corey Hightower, or Jabari Smith, and also Carrawell-the definition of a Rudy type of player if there is one, and we draft freaking Najera (I did however find some joy in trading him, but not with who we got for him, I would have rather traded him for the 2 San Antonio picks, and gotten Brown with one of them, then Hightower with other. Then, of all teams, the Clippers came out awesome. It was killing me. But Collier is a great guy for a pick and roll. And he's left handed and versatile. He also provides us our big need-a scoring big man, not to mention he comes with a pick next year that is most definitely top 20. I'll trade away Pryzbilla gladly for Collier, and a portion of Eddy Curry, or Terrence Morris. ------------------ The more lefties on your team, the better. Draft Moiso. Trade Moises. Trade or bench Kenny Thomas. [This message has been edited by NIKEstrad (edited June 29, 2000).]
Not to be knitpicky, but the deal was already done before "we" made the pick. Mil made the pick through Houston. Give the Vandy a chance....who all was drooling over Croshere before last year? I haven't seen this guy play, so I can not judge. I did see Moiso play, and while a good player, he didn't really seem to have "it". Not saying that Collier has "it", but we picked him up, and got another pick some time in the next decade. There's still the time for limbo untill the FAs can be signed. Do I think that the Rockets will make another move....I think they might. It was kind of a strange night last night, and I can't help but feel that with trading that took place, there is something else brewing. If not, I'll let the kid prove me wrong. I saw Mobley in one game in college...I knew what he can do. When he was drafted...there was a lot of uuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhs in the house. Let's sit back, and see what RT and CD saw in this guy, or what they have in store for us. ------------------ In the end there will be no judges...only witnesses to my greatness.
I was thrilled before our pick. We could've had a defensive stud in Mickeal, another good center in Ernest Brown, a possible superstar in Corey Hightower, or Jabari Smith, and also Carrawell-the definition of a Rudy type of player if there is one, I understand your frustration, but realize that we were picking for need. As Rudy said in his press conference last night, they were not going to draft a 2 guard. Mickeal and Hightower both measured out at 6'5", so that pretty much makes them a shooting guard. Rudy was on the radio a couple of weeks ago and when asked about Carrewell, he said they viewed him as a guard and that he didn't really fit our new system. With Hakeem,Cato and now Collier on board I don't think they wanted to pick another center in round 2. Now, if you want to make an argument for OO, then you've got a decent case. But, I think that alot of folks overestimated OO based on one HS level all-star game. Langhi has great size, plays 2 positions and he can flat out score. ------------------
I think aelliot was right on the money in his first post of this topic. I don't understand all these nay sayers. They act like they know more about these players than the people who get paid to spend all their time coaching and following players. Langhi was choose POY in the SEC by the SEC coaches over Stromile Swift. I guess they don't know what they are talking about. He was also chosen co-POY with Swift by the sports writers. I guess they don't know what they are talking about either. I think Rudy and CD may have pulled another one out of the hat. ------------------
