I don't particulalry want to bring up the 'Rashard Lewis' topic again... Just wanted to point out that he currently has 36 points and 19 rebounds v Orlando... DAMM WHY DIDN'T WE DRAFT HIM!
Because we weren't high enough to draft him, besides, we got CUTTINO MOBLEY, who is much better. We can probably get him if we really wanted him because last offseason he was really interested in coming here, back to his hometown.
Actually, we were. We passed over Rashard several times that draft, taking Michael Dickerson, Bryce Drew, and Mircad Turkcan instead of Rashard, all the while he claimed that the Rockets promised they would take him with one of those picks. It was messy business.
I was in high school with Rashard, and was a sports writer for the school paper. So I just though focusing on him would be a lot more interesting than writing about varsity golf. He said he wanted Houston, and even said that the Rockets would draft him. So you can tell how Elsik felt when the Rockets passed on him. Dickerson was a good pick. Drew (cringe). Turcan't (what the...). What pissed me off most was the Rocket's promising to draft him and then have CD and Rudy saying "If we had a fourth pick, we would have gotten him." That was total bull. At the time and I'm not sure about now, they didn't like high schoolers coming in the draft, and he was never an option. FranchiseBoi86, I sure felt sorry for the guy when he was crying in the green room back in '99. Got lied, dissed, and embarassed by the organization that promised to draft him. I don't blame him at all for hating the Rockets. And I especially don't blame him for not signing with us in his last offseason. Just because it's his hometown doesn't mean he automactically come back to Houston. It took Clyde 12 years to get over it.
Nothing personal, but do you have any proof the Rockets promised him about anything? I dont think so. I wish we would have drafted him, but Drew ended up being the only bad pick. I think Turcan somehow helped us land Griffin. I tend to believe the Rockets organization over some 18 year old kid.
It's close, DoD, but Griffin is much better defensively, and has the potential to be close to, if not as good, as Rashard on the offensive end.
Hey, hey, HEY! Do you people forget about the future considerations you're getting from Chicago for the Drew trade? You missed out on getting Elton Brand in return, but there's still hope!
Puh-leese. We're not sending our picks. You're going to get Miami's second round pick (we traded Sean Lampley 6 weeks ago for it) and Phoenixes (we traded for it a week ago---Jake Voskuhl). That should leave you at picks 47 and 48 in the second round.
It's not like we even care about these picks GB. Give us the 8th round pick in the NDBL draft, for all we care. It's just that we like having you bent over, grabing your proverbial ankles, as we stand around scratching ourselves deciding what the hell we want to do next. oh... um... I forgot...
Ah ..... just for the record ...... Rashard Lewis and his family were assured by the Rockets scouting staff and by Carroll Dawson that he would be drafted by them. The Rockets were looking at him not on the first pick, but the subsequent two picks. He was passed. Drew taken #16 overall as his draft worth was rising and his workout/interview with the Rockets blew the scouting staff away. Turkan (@ #18) was easily rated the best or second best foreign player available. His work ethic was strong, his fundamentals sound and the Rockets expected Milwaukee(#19), Atlanta(#20) or Indiana(#25) to go after him if he was available at their picks. Utah and apparently Seattle had him rated high and on their list too. Some "expoerts" had him going late first or early second round. Question was: Can the Rockets wait until #41 to draft him? Answer: Nope. It turns out he was a little less than desirable as we eventually traded his butt to Philly, but make no mistake, if he had turned into anything close to a "Dirk" we all would not be having this discussion. Mobley at #41 was a steal even by the kindest of definitions. The tragedy, if there was one, is that Rashard Lewis and his family were heartbroken by the way it was all handled. And, maybe rightly so. When your hometown team makes extra effort to assure and reassure ... well the message that is sent is that it is a foregone conclusion .... that in essence is what a pre-scout teams wish to portray. I know they also threw in the obligatory "well, you never know though" and "we'll have to see what is left on the board, but we really want him in a Rockets uniform" etc..... Maybe someone should have put as much effort into telling the Lewis family that things are more likely to change, than follow a given path, when it comes to business and sports drafts. Hindsight is always clear and efficient. At the worst it was an error or a lapse by a usually very conscientious Rockets staff. But it should also be noted that maybe the Lewis family's naivete that the world always revolves in the direction of choice needs some reality checks also. In the end we have Cuttino and Rashard is appreciated by a great fan base and everyone ...it seems .... wins.
Oielpere: Wasn't the scenario that occurred the ONLY one in which Lewis wouldn't be drafted? I remember Rudy saying something to the effect that their absolute optimal projections came true, and that they had NOT expected to get the 3 first rounders they did. Poor Lewis then, poor Rockets now .
Haven, I believe you're right. I remember reading quotes from RT that they'd have taken Lewis if any of the 3 guys they did take were taken before they got an opportunity. RT was surprised to get those 3. He thought at least one would be snatched up before he could get them. Lewis took the promise too much to heart. The Rockets could also well have traded those 3 picks for one lotto pick (like they were trying to do) and gone in a completely different direction. There's no good reason Lewis or anyone should believe their selection is a lock. Also, Branded, do you know whether the 2nd rounders Chicago will end up paying can be another team's? I don't know for certain, but I have the sneaking suspicion that they must be Chicago's own.
Those other teams knew something we didn't, Dickerson is average, Drew is Matt Maloney jr, and Mircad?????. We had the chance and didn't get him, now he looks like the 3 we wish we had. To those who doesn't know , Eddie is a 4 and Rashard a 3, so comparing those 2 is crazy. He's probably 22, a yr younger than Francis with more yrs in the NBA. Its a moot point , but could've,would've,SHOULD'VE!!!
I just checked the stipulations. Seems we owe you one in 05 and one in 06. Too far away to worry about. And if we're in the top ten before then I'll freely and willingly send you our first rounder.
Misrad Turcan The two most painful words in a rocket fans dictionary , What if we had drafted MD , Lewis , Maybe Nazr Mohammed , and Cuttino , it was arguably the greatest star producing draft since 1984 . Instead we drafted Bryce Drew and there is no doubt in my mind if he doesnt hit that game winning three in the College tourney we never would have drafted him . And Turcan who turned into crap faster than Serge Zwikker and we took Mirsad ahead of Pat Garrity . The saddest story I have ever read . http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketba/98draf/draf020.htm
I'm sick of all this b****ing. Bryce Drew just hit a three against the Mavs, and the Hornets are only down 16. SIX-TEEN! Take it from Bob Ortegal: "these games are never over." When it comes to B-Dre, you better RECOGNIZE! Aiight, I admit it, I have a friend who owns a water bottle once owned by Bryce Drew.
