I am actually very glad the Rockets dealt Pryzbilla. When the Rockets turn to pick came up, I was thinking they would go with Jerome Moiso, but then was in shock when Joel Pryzbilla was announced. After Pryzbilla was dealt, I was very relieved. When trying to determine whether or not a big man can succeed in the NBA, a key aspect to look at is the footwork and lateral movement. If people are dogging Collier for being slow and lumbering (which he isnt) then how about watching Pryzbilla move laterally and run the floor. Pryzbilla's lateral movement is poor, and he just does not run the floor well. NBA scouts get taken in a lot of times by a big man with a quick jumping ability. Pryz gets up quickly and times blocked shots well but thats about all he does. With poor footwork and lateral movement, I feel that Pryzbilla could be a major bust in this draft. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
heres how i explain the trade now... i heard it somewhere on this board i think. but here it is- for pryzzibilla we got collier+a 1st round pick. the bucks are pretty good so the pick will be around 17, which because next years draft is much better than this years, is alot like having a 11th pick in the last draft. In addition we also got a good big man who could turn into a good role player.
Right on VJ! Swami- I didn't take it personally. I just didn't agree with what you said, and I stated my opinion on the subject, which is the point of this place. What did I do wrong? Sorry if I offended you or anything though. That wasn't my intent. I apologize if I was a little too strong saying what I said. ------------------ Looking for next year's Dan Langhi? Draftsource.net ClutchTown.com
I've come to the conclusion that some people on this BBS would criticize the pick, even if we had drafted Michael Jordan (if he were a rookie & we knew what we know now). My perception is that if the team doesn't draft their favorite player, then they believe he will be an automatic bust. As far as Collier & Langhi, give them a chance. A couple of preseason games tells you nothing about what a player can do. All we can see are occasional flashes of the future. Most players drafted outside of the top 10 usually take 2-3 years to develop their game. I agree with MOE's post (great post by the way) about Collier thinking too much about what he has to do. Some people are like that. But look out for them once they become familiar with their role & responsibilities, they usually excel at their jobs & can be counted on for consistent perfomances. With the guards we have, if Collier contributes 12 points & 10 rebounds a game while changing the other teams shots, I'll be excited. As far as the body fat. I'll bet anyone on here that by the beginning of next year, Collier will be leaner & much more ripped than he is right now. Collier is definitely no "Two Sandwiches" (who by the way, wasn't a bad ball player, until he had a brain fart). Najera might have a more polished game right now, but who gives a rip. You can hang on to what might have been or you can get on with your life. Some of these naysayers have already counted the Rockets out of the playoffs even before the season begins. While you are entitled to your opinion, I guess I'm tired of constantly reading negative posts. I don't mean the ones that offer constructive criticism, but the ones that just want to whine for the sake of whining. If you don't like the make-up of the Rockets, then choose another team. I hear the Clippers are looking for some constantly whining fans & they are used to it. The Cat & Moe, Long live people with open minds that give a person a chance to make it before judging them. Imagine if the Lord judged all of us based on a couple of moments in time. Would I ever be in trouble. Keep the faith & the great posts coming. We are being overrun by too many negatives. ------------------
Back to topic ... Collier will try his hardest to become the next Greg Ostertag, but won't quite make it. Najera will become Dallas's next Steve Nash. Ok bench player until he leaves. Then he'll find his niche. ------------------
There IS a lack of centers who can shoot in the NBA, in fact, there are a TON of 1 dimensional centers running around. There are those who can rebound and then there are those who can just block shots. It seems that when a team finds a center who can do more then one thing they pay good money for him - take Eric Dampier as an example, he can rebound AND block shots, so he earned himself millions of dollars a year for that! The Bucks covet a 2-dimensional center so much that they traded 2 first round picks to get a guy who has a chance to become a decent rebounder and shot blocker. Luckily we were on the receiving end of that deal, and we traded away a project center for 2 first round draft picks (not to be sneered at!). Now our first pick was Jason Collier. Sure he's going to take time, but he can do 2 things, he can score AND he can rebound. If he works out, then he's going to be a pretty decent backup! What's he got going for him? Well he tries hard. Sure he looks a little dopey. Sure he's a little unconventional. But he goes after the boards well. He has a big butt which he'll certainly use to box people out and a large frame which he can lean onto opposing centers and tire them out some. He can shoot, but better then that, he knows what to do AFTER setting a screen, he either rolls strongly to the hoop (while keeping his head up and looking for the ball) OR he slides to a vacant area and finds himself in space for a jumper. But that's not all! He has a left handed hook and nice post footwork. There's a lot to like about Jason Collier and a lot of reasons to suggest that he MAY well become our backup center. But it will take time for him to adapt and I'm hoping that he'll be able to average 8 minutes a game this season. And I'm also hoping that he can make 40-45% of his shots. As for Najera, he hustles hard and will no doubt stick on the mavs bench and earn some regular PT - any more then that and I'm certain that Najera himself will be excited!! ------------------
The Cat, My my aren't we sensitive and defensive. An opinion was asked in this topic and I have given mine. I don't have to take your word for anything, and I never said I expect you to take my word either. Time will provide us with the answer my friend. In the meanwhile, there isn't any reason to take a prediction you don't like personally. The BBS is a forum for opinions (not all of which will agree with yours all the time). If that is so extraordinarily difficult for you, then save yourself the trouble and skip reading any opinions that differ from your own (it will be better for your blood pressure). At least MManal can articulate a difference of opinion without spitting bile (which makes his points of view easier to respect than your own). ------------------ Be you Democrat or Republican, vote "YES" for the Arena Referendum!
Here is an NBAtalk.com link from today's Western Conference Preview that agrees (several days after I first stated my opinion for which I took so much flack) we blew it by trading Przybilla for Collier. http://www.sportstalk.com/nba/special/7480-Special.shtml Go to their 9th place team predection (the Rockets). Don't get me wrong, I hope Collier turns out to be a great Rockets player. He can shoot, has pretty good hands and etc. I just didn't like the draft-day trade. Othella Harrington took a few years to develop into a good NBA player, mabey Jason Collier will do the same. Dr N. makes an excellent point! ------------------ Be you Democrat or Republican, vote "YES" for the Arena Referendum! [This message has been edited by Swami (edited October 18, 2000).] [This message has been edited by Swami (edited October 18, 2000).] [This message has been edited by Swami (edited October 18, 2000).]
