[NBADraft.net] Dawson travels to Treviso to scout PG Ukic

I think the profiles are done outside the system and the admin just updates the main page and the articles

... as for the new information or Ukic, it comes from ESPN insider - and they also still have the old data on Ukic on his draft profile

 

lol, okay okay. I was thinking of the wrong dude. For some reason Wally and Laettner have always seemed similar in my mind. I always thought Wally = Laetner in my mind...never bothering to make the distinction between the two. I think I just assumed Wally was a PF too.

Since Wally is a SF, there is no way in hell I'd take him. Why pick up a crappy 4 year contract to backup TMac!!! Hell, I could back up TMac.

 

Yes, with the type of players they're looking at it most likely will take a move to the middle of round 1 to get them.

 

Sounds like he's got all the tools to become a good PG, but I think we all know our luck w/ Euro players, hopefully things will change.

As for trading up, I hope the Rockets can move up to atleast the mid-teens. Guys like Ukic, Korolev, Graham, Warrick, and McCants could be had.

 

I do, too. I, too, would not discount a 'future'.
I, too, think the new 4 is thru FA or a trade.

 

I'm inclined to think Van Gundy prefers a veteran point guard more than a veteran power forward. The role of the power forward on this team does not require a lot of skill. Just a big man that plays hard, defends, and gets rebounds. It's not too hard to find a rookie 4 that can do that.

In contrast, the point guard under Van Gundy's system must be a smart, savvy player that can run a team. It would be much easier to find a veteran point guard that can do that than a rookie. I'm doubtful that we'll ever see an inexperienced point guard starting for Van Gundy.

 

What else might they have spoken of? Blount, perhaps?

 

I think the Rockets will go with an athletic swingman to play alongside TMac, guys like Garcia, Winston, or Hodge would be nice.

I agree that JVG would prefer a veteran PG, but I don't think he is dismissing the fact that we need a young PG to grow w/ TMac and Yao. CD flying to Traviso to check this guy shows that they are atleast thinking of drafting a PG.

I would love to draft a swingman, sign Damon Stoudamire, and then S&T for Swift, SAR, or Marshall.

 

i tend to agree with ya here. i think getting a veteran PG helps us out a lot more. grab a young athletic 4 then a 3 in the draft.

 

Wally and the #14 pick for some expirings? Sign me up. Wally is a legit 3rd option who can score with the jumper, create his own shot, and take it to the hole. He would play the 2 defensively for us. I'd take him, and TMac at the 2,3 and then we've got the 14 and 24 picks to add another piece, whether it be a PG or PF. Jack, Ukic, or possibly package the picks with another expiring or one of Sura/MJ for a good veteran that fits.

 

Isaih would offer more. Others, too.

 

I agree - if I had to pick one player it would be a SF/SG type

 

Yeah, I think somebody would offer more. Can't see what NY could come up with though. TT? KT? Penny? Houston?

 

It bothers me that he's perceived as a team cancer in Minnesota. He likes shooting. A lot. He's selfish, doesn't defend, and has some baggage. No way for that contract.

 

At the beginning of the season some people were hyping him up to be a top 5 pick.

 

Yeah, otherwise he'd have to be nuts to volunteer to go to Italy, right?

 

Agreed. Though it puts you back, a little bit, into the situation we had with Jimmy Jackson where it was really some poor PGs and 2 SF's, Wally is an excellent shooter/scorer and can bring average intangibles elsewhere. His contract is ridiculous, but he is a former all-star, and finally wasn't injured last year. And you get the #14 pick. It won't happen, but I wouldn't be pissed if it did.

 

I would far rather have a rookie PF and veteran PG than the other way around. Running the offense is just about the hardest position in the league. Very few rookies are able to come in and do so.

Evan