We have the personel to succeed, we just have to use it. We need a real (pass 1st/ run the break like Jason Kidd) point guard who can play defense = Tito Maddox +Tito Maddox Draft Capsule+ --------------------------- VITALS: 6-4, 190, sophomore, Fresno State OVERVIEW: Maddox did not play for Fresno State last year after being dismissed from the team before the season for receiving improper benefits. He had a tremendous 2000-01 season for the Bulldogs by averaging 13.5 points and handing out 8.0 assists, good for fourth in the nation. Maddox was named the Western Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year for his efforts. His size and strong ballhandling abilities make him an intriguing choice. LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Second round. Atlanta, Denver, Indiana, Miami, Milwaukee and Toronto worked out Maddox. Atlanta in particular is looking for a big point guard. Maddox is one of several in this draft, so he’ll have to battle Fordham’s Smush Parker, SMU’s Damon Hancock and Miami’s John Salmons for attention. COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Rod Strickland, Greg Anthony COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Jeryl Sasser, Jamison Brewer, Rafer Alston ROLE PROJECTION: Reserve POSITIVES: Maddox is the best distributing point guard in the draft. He’s a fine passer with the knack for the flashy, and can really get a club going in the transition game. In terms of his halfcourt ability, Maddox understands how to run a play without using it as an opportunity to set up his own shot, and that’s a rare thing. Maddox certainly can score, he just tempers his urge well. Physically, Maddox has considerable size for his position. He’s bigger than most of the league’s starters and can match up with the Jason Kidds and Gary Paytons of the world. SHORTCOMINGS: Maddox is certainly not your perfect point. Turnovers are a problem area that likely will not go away, and the offense he played in during college gave its players the freedom that he won’t see in the NBA. An even bigger question may be with regard to his shooting. Maddox shot less than 30 percent from 3-point range in his only season. Even quality shooters struggle to adjust to the NBA perimeter game, so Maddox’s minutes may be limited substantially early in his career if he proves to be a liability from long range. WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: "He does a very good job of getting in the paint, but in our league, there are guys who will make it much more difficult for him to finish. You certainly question whether he can hit the outside shot, and nowadays, that’s become the key." - Phoenix Suns coach Frank Johnson We need a shooting guard/forward that can actually shoot = Bostjan Najbar. Bostjan Nachbar Draft Capsule+ ------------------------------- VITALS: 6-9, 221, Benetton Treviso (Italy) OVERVIEW: Nachbar is a member of the Slovenian National team and has played for Benetton Treviso of the competitive Italian League for the last five seasons. His coach there is former Denver Nuggets coach Mike D'Antoni. Nachbar started 33 games a year ago and averaged 13.7 points while connecting on 37% of his 3-point attempts. Nachbar has attracted attention with his versatile play as he has a strong mid-range game and can play with his back to or facing the basket. He competed in the Hoop Summit in 1999 and 2000. LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Mid-first round. Houston (15) is the favorite. Not many clubs have seen Nachbar, with his club playing through June in Europe. COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Peja Stojakovic COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Antonis Fotsis ROLE PROJECTION: Reserve, future fourth starter POSITIVES: Nachbar is a shooter. He has great touch for a 6-9 athlete and may actually be more of a big guard than small forward. He also is mobile with his dribble and can create his own shot. At Nachbar’s size, it is easier for him to get looks over his defender. SHORTCOMINGS: Going to the basket and finishing is not one of Nachbar’s strengths. He shies from traffic and is a weak rebounder. Some feel that he is not even that strong of a scorer, and that he is just getting attention because of the European hype. Defense is a big concern. WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: There are some questions about his strength of character. When you play an 82-game schedule, you have to be able to play through small injuries, the time zone changes, the mental and physical fatigue. Is he going to be able to develop the American toughness that’s required to play in the NBA? That’s the question with him. - Phoenix Suns director of European scouting Tim O’Shea G-T. Maddox G-S. Francis F-J. Posey F-E. Griffin C-Y. Ming ---------------------- G-M. Norris G-C. Mobley F-Bostjan Nachbar F-Maurice Taylor C-K. Cato ------------------------ 1. Terrance Morris 2.G. Rice
Don't believe everything this kind of report said. Ha... remember what they said about Yao Ming. If they are good enough, they will play. Don't pretend we know more about these players than Rudy.
Playing Tito and Boki won't happen for a while, because it makes perfect sense. Rudy would never allow that to happen! Don't you see?
Turtle Guy and all other "play Boki now" posters, What is your vision of what is happening in practice? Boki is canning everything he throws up, and stealing every loose ball, while Rudy wanders around with both hands desperately searching for his butt oblivious to the fact that we need shooting? I mean shirley you don't think that is the case, do you? Is it more realistic that Rudy, who sees Boki play for a couple of hours a day, every day for months now, sees all of the options and makes the best choice? Nobody involved with the team is whining for Boki to play. Maybe it is the injury, maybe the different league, but somewhere between "he is just not that good" and "not ready" is the truth. Sad but true. Your calls to see him are just an urge to satisfy your own curiosity. Rudy has had that itch scratched, and decided not to play him. There is a reason. I know that it is unfathomable that Rockets management does not run all decisions by us first, but that dosen't mean ther is not a reason for their decisions. By the way, I share the itch to see what Boki can do, but I deffer those who actually have the facts.
We always knew Moochie and Glenn suck -- and Mo Taylor for that matter. I have always believed Tito was a steal in the draft -- he would run the offense better than dumb ass Moochie + play DEFENSE. Our point guards are getting burned by everyone.. Troy Hudson/Rod Strickland? Jason Williams? etc.
One fact is well known. Rudy tends to play favorites over better players. Nachbar should be given a chance to show what he can do. He can't possibliy be worse than Rice.
In the past Rudy has played Matt Maloney, Emmanuel Davis, Randy Livingston, Oscar Torres and a host of borderline NBA players and CBA All Stars - why not Nachbar? If Terrence Morris can get minutes, there's no reason Nachbar shouldn't.
Bostjan will get his chance. Don't play Tito though. Oscar Torres was waived by the Golden State Warriors. I feel sorry for him.
