Not to be mean here but where did you get the impression that I think one of the Rockets' most critical needs is another 6-7 PF? I didn't say that. I didn't say anything remotely resembling that. I didn't discuss the critical needs of the Rockets at all in this thread. I commented on two things in my post: Here is the first thing: I was responding to the post in which Tinman compared Glen Davis to Tractor Traylor and Clarence Weatherspoon as if that were a terrible thing. I came to the defense of Clarence Weatherspoon by pointing out that Spoon was actually a beast in his first five seasons and I further added that I'd be beyond thrilled if the player we drafted at 26 gave us the kind of production Clarence Weatherspoon gave the Sixers in his first five seasons. You must have assumed that I was inferring that Glen Davis WOULD produce like that in the NBA and that the Rockets should draft him. You were wrong to infer that. That wasn't what I said at all. This becomes obvious in the second part of my post in which I said: Notice I said "If the talent is there". The reason I said that? I very, very seldom watch college basketball. I start reading scouting reports as soon as the season is over, but I don't follow college ball and so my knowledge of the players is relatively limited. All I know is what I read and, that being the case, I'm relatively indifferent to who they draft with the 26th pick. Give me a lottery pick and I may become partial to a player or two from scouting picks and highlight clips, but I don't get too excited about a 26th pick one way or another. What I was actually commenting on in the second part of my post was the comment in Clutch's article that the Rockets thought Glen Davis might not be the sharpest tool in the shed. I pointed out that he was a good interview, has a good personality and didn't appear to be slow to me and that I'd enjoy his personality if we did draft him. That's it. So you see, I never advocated drafting Glen Davis, much less stated "that one of the Rockets' most critical needs is another 6-7 PF" So thanks for putting words in my mouth. I Appreciate it. Though, for the record, if the Rockets do draft Glen Davis I'll be fine with it. I'll just hope it works out for the good of the Rockets. I might be unique in the fact that I seem to be one of the relatively few people around here who doesn't think I know who the Rockets should draft. I gave up on predicting who will succeed in the NBA after Marcus Fizer flopped.
Boston's #32 pick could probably be up for grabs since GM Chris Wallace really really likes Koponen and would probably want leap frog the Suns or Spurs at #28 to get him. Maybe Boston could offer #32 and some other asset for houston's #26 if Houston feels that Davis, Fazekas, or whom ever they've targeted will still be there at #32.
I don't know what Boston would offer for the rights to Koponen. I would guess the best offer could be Ryan Gomes + #32. I like Gomes but I wouldn't go for it. If they offered Gerald Green I would be pleased but that's not going to happen.
He's got great basketball IQ, and he's a great interview. I don't have any reason to believe that he's not smart in general.
I've seen him play against Kendrick Perkins and Al Jefferson and gave them fits in the summer pro league. He can move, run, jump, and has a decent jump shoot.
They're not the same kind of player at all, so that is impossible to tell right now. Baxter is a hard-working 6'9" Center with no range who's biggest asset is his size. Big Baby is a quick PF forward who runs the court well, handles the ball as well as anyone, passes well, and can shoot a little. His size actually hurts him, because it hurts his lateral quickness and therefore defense.
Let's trade down with Boston to get Big Baby: LUTHER #26 FOR TONY ALLEN 6-4 PG #32 Note: Allen was drafted in 2004 #25 (During Morey's time in Boston)
My bad. I got the impression that you were OK with Witherspoon even though he was undersized for the position and did nothing to make them competitive against the bigger and faster PFs in the West. I thought you were consequently indicating that another undersized PF which Davis is would be OK. I don't share that philosophy. Hmmm, while I see your point, I must also point out that Spoon was effective under the older NBA rules which did not take away a big man's ability to play in the post. Davis would probably be a fit under that system but with the new rules now in place, his sheer bulk and lack of speed would be a killer. Now I did not do that at all and I would never try doing so because your posts are really good and show much thought on your part. But we part company on Glen Davis. His lack of personal discipline as evidenced by the weight issue is to me, enough of a danger signal to pass on him. If they want to really address the PF problem, they have to do so in the context of what their competition plays at that position and from what I've seen, it isn't a guy like Davis. From what I'm hearing from Morey, I expect them to go with a platoon at the position with Battier, Hayes and a cadaver uh, body to be named later. Good luck with that. Actually, I think both you AND the Rockets have no idea who they should draft.
Good post. However, Davis doesn't lack speed at all. He's a really fast player in the open court, and he has crafty quickness on the block. His lateral quickness does leave a lot to be desired, and that's a big reason his defense lacks so much.
Allen is coming off an ACL and MCL tear and hasn't stepped foot on the court since his surgeries. You'd trade Luther AND move down 6 spots for him? Yikes!
You do understand that the higher the number is, the lower the pick is right ie: #26 picks before #32. Luther is better then Tony Allen straight up. Now add in a torn up knee following a dead ball dunk attempt and this officially becomes one of the worst trade ideas. Plus, Tony Allen isnt a PG.
I'm pretty sure rondo and west would have at least showed up for the playoffs unlike our prized regular season 3 pt specialist
Not the same at all? I saw very limited minutes of these players, but I do remember Baxter's claim to fame in the dominant summer league performance was an effective variety of post moves and a good mid-range shot. This implies some measure of quickness and handles. (Do you really want your PF doing much dribbling anyway if he is not all-star caliber?) Baxter's NBA career was short-lived because against NBA athletes, he could not put up the rebounds like he could in college and summer leagues, and with his subpar size/hops, opposing PF/C's just made their move and shot over him. Similarly, NBADraft.net lists Davis' weaknesses as a lack of length and wing span, and (understandably) a lack of explosiveness/leaping ability. Does Davis have the athleticism and attitude to get the tougher rebounds (a la Barkley)? Unfortunately, the Wizards clip didn't really demonstrate any such explosiveness as it was just a workout...and perhaps this is by design anyway.
I don't disagree with you at all. I'm of the opinion that we should take the best player available irrespective of position. I feel that guys like Davis or Fazekas can't help much.Sean Williams will probably be long gone otherwise I would like to take a chance with him.
Rondo? He can't hit the ocean from the beach...he can penetrate then - oops. But, he'll be a servicable b/u for years. D-West? I'd take him in a heartbeat. That man is cold.
They didn't show up for the playoffs because they didn't help their team get into the playoffs. In fact, they help their team to damn near the worst record in the league. Playoffs? <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Qwq7BYOnDrM"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Qwq7BYOnDrM" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
