Tim Hardaway had Chris Mullen Kevin Johnson had Jeff Hornacek (SG, but same role) Steve Francis could have DerMarr Johnson Meanwhile, Michael Jordan had Scottie Pippen Vince Carter has Tracy McGrady (couldn't think of any other point forwards) Steve Francis could have Mike Miller Basically, what I'm asking in this post is would you rather pair a point guard like Steve Francis with a pure shooter like a Chris Mullen or a point forward like a Scottie Pippen at the small forward. From what I've read on DerMarr and Miller, neither is clearly the better player, but they have different strengths. DerMarr's more of a pure shooter, while Mike is a better ball handler. Who would you rather have if these two guys were the best players available at the Rockets pick: the shooter or the potential point forward (I realize there would be other factors involved in the decision such as defense, etc.)? On a similar note, would Rudy even incorporate a point forward into the Rockets offense as it was being run this season after CB and Hakeem went down (Walt doesn't handle the rock much, right?)? ------------------
this is an interesting question. In terms of ability, Dermarr is a no brainer. Sound defensive player, pure stroke, great athleticism, 6'9''. His potential is likely among the top 3 in the draft with Swift, and Miles. As rookies, Miller will be much better. Miller isn't a bad shooter, and doesn't require being the "man". Sometimes he's actually too passive. Either would fit a good SF need. But what I'll point out is this: Carter isn't a PG. MJ wasn't a PG. They were both SGs. Hardaway, and KJ were both PGs, and actually have somewhat similar games as Francis though Francis obviously has a higher vert, and is a little taller. You could also add Stockton to that list, with Hornacek (for several years). But if it came down to it, I'm taking JEROME MOISO. We need a big man, and he's pretty darn good. If he wasn't available, and either Dermarr or Miller was available, I wouldn't be sad though. ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
Well if the Rockets end up picking 9th overall, I dont think either of them will be available. The top 4 looks to be pretty set with Mihm, Martin, Swift, Fizer. The 5-6-7 is looking like Miller, Miles, Johnson. Ofcourse a lot can change, but I think if the Rockets stay at 9th, they'll be picking between players like Morris Peterson, Quentin Richardson, Jason Collier, Olumide Oyedeji, and possibly Jerome Moiso or Courtney Alexander. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
NIKEStrad, Of course, you're right about MJ and Vince Carter. I was just thinking of point forwards paired with their lead scorer. I don't know who it was, but somebody started a thread on here a month or two ago talking about how a point forward might be a good fit with this team. I guess the idea is that on some possessions, Stevie could act more like a shooting guard coming off screens, etc., while still not having to guard a bigger shooting guard on the other end. In fact, that thread was the first I had really ever heard much about Mike Miller. He was mentioned as the only real forward in the draft with the ball handling abilities to play the point forward role. I guess I picked KJ and Hornacek instead of Stockton and Hornacek, because Francis reminds me more of KJ than Stockton in terms of quickness, penetration and scoring ability. It seems to me that a lot of good running teams have one pure shooter on the floor. The Lakers are another example with Magic at the point and what's his face (you remember him) as the pure shooter. It sounds from your description that DerMarr is the no-brainer over Miller anyway, so the topic may be moot. It's still kind of an interesting topic IMO as far as what type of SF would fit a team built around Francis in theory (of course theory doesn't really account for anything. in reality, it's about what players are available). ------------------
Dermarr has sick potential. I like Miller, and he's the type that Rudy likes, with a solid all around game. Dermarr will take a year or two to develop, but will be the better player in the end most likely. Speaking of pure shooters, rumors are that freshman Jason Kapono may be coming out. Not at #9, but that kid can shoot. ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
What kinda production are you looking for from those non-NBA players: how about: 16 ppg 47% FG 37% 3ptrs 85% FTs ----------- look no further than Mobley after Jan 10th You'd take a completely unproven college player over what Mobley did the 2nd half of the year. BTW: only his FG% was significantly different between halfs. Let's not forget Mr. D Shandon Anderson MUST play 40+ minutes when he has a mismatch. Can your rookie out-defend Shandon? Come on...Do you not read the papers...CD is not changing our guards, because we are a 3 guard team. The sooner you embrace that, the easier it will be to root for the Rockets. The only thing changing our 3 guard line-up is a blockbuster Popeye trade that hinges on us gi vi n g up Cu t ti no Mob l ey. At that will mostly be to upgrade the frontline. Why do we need a SF? Why do you want a boring spot-up pure shooter when we are such a quick, slashing, fast-breaking team...that puts fear in the other guards.
NIKEstrand, You think Kapono has starter potential or just shooter off the bench role player potential. Also, how are DerMarr's ballhandling skills? Have I underrated them? Thanks ------------------
Rockets already have both. pure shooter AND point forward. keep him happy. -WaltWizFanclub ------------------ Cato is 7 feet tall.
Dermarr Johnson is NOT a good defender right now. Below average defender at best. And his ball handling skills are not that bad this point. He handled the rock a lot when he was in high school. But when you are playing with Kenny Satterfield, you're not going to be needed to handle too much. But I'm also not convinced that he has more potential than Mike Miller. Dermarr is not this stud athlete that people make him out to be. He's a good athlete, but definitely not spectacular. I don't even remember him appearing in the high school slam dunk contest. And if he did, he sure as hell didn't stand out. Donnell Harvey did the between the legs dunk to win it. Johnathan Bender took off behind the free throw line and threw it down with the left hand. That guy from Kansas who's name is alluding me right now did a cartwheel dunk. Miller plays better defense. He's a wonderful passer. He just flat out knows how to play the game. Very good rebounder. Doesn't just get the perimeter rebounds. He gets the boards in traffic. And his outside shot is probably a little worse than Johnson's. That's probably the only thing Dermarr has on him. And I wouldn't be hung up on the fact that Miller had a couple of subpar games in the Final Four. Shammond Williams had the two worst games you could possibly play in the Final Four and he's managed to become a very solid NBA player(much to my surprise). Webber never really had a good game in the Final Four. He hasn't done too bad. Antawn Jamison stunk up the joint his his 2 Final Four games. Now he's a budding superstar. Don't take too much credence in just a couple of games in the Big Dance. ------------------
heypartner: Oh, I'm not knocking the three guard line-up. At least, I didn't mean to. Currently, Walt gets a lot of minutes as the starting SF, and he's what some might call a prototypical SF and a pure shooter. I also distinctly remember seeing Rudy T on TV at one point this season say he was concerned having Shandon at the 3, because he is significantly smaller than the average 3. That's his comment not mine, so that hints to me that Shandon may not be our LT SF solution. Furthermore, from the beginning of the season, the only guys I've heard the Rockets mention as guys they're looking at in the draft have been 3's - from Terrance Morris to Darius Miles to Mike Miller and so on. I'm actually just as for getting a great power forward as a small forward, probably more for it actually. If you remember, I posted a thread a couple months ago pointing out there was more of a need for a PF than SF. In this thread, I was just asking the hypothetical question as to which type of SF would work better with a scoring PG like Francis. As far as keeping a three guard line-up, both Miller and DerMarr are evaluated as shooting guards by Chris Monter or whoever does the NBAtalk draft stuff for whatever that's worth. How much quickness would the Rockets lose with one of them in there at SF instead of Shandon? I was under the impression both players were real quick for guys their size, which is one reason they're attractive to me. Besides, Miller or Dermarr's rise in the rotation would most likely take minutes away from Walt instead of Mobes or Shandon. In fact, if we got a good small forward in the draft, I'd say the Rox should trade Walt assuming it was for fair value. I've got a question heypartner: who would you rather see lose minutes: Walt or your man Kenny T? All in all, though, I'm with you on trading the pick in some way to get bigger fish. I just thought it was an interesting topic that might be relevant if a good trade involving the pick is not realized and these two guys are the best two players available (which they probably will not be) at the pick. ------------------ [This message has been edited by oakdogg (edited May 09, 2000).]
I would love to find a good point forward to play with Stevie. An Anthony Mason, Grant Hill or Jalen Rose could help get Stevie better shots and relieve him of some of the ball handling. I love the idea about a point forward. ------------------
Oakdogg, assuming the team stays put, KT at 30 mpg is what I'd look for to start the season. That can happen with everyone still getting their minutes. Plus I have absolutely no objections playing the set that won those game at the end of the season: Cato/KT Walt Mobley Anderson Francis That's set is what made the big push at the end of games. This board tends to forget that not only did we go 3 guard last April, we also played sans power forward often.
Dermarr's got his fair share of athleticism, but he's not spectacular Francis like. His defense is NOT bad....that's the big thing about him, he's not a liability (unlike Glen Rice). It's not great, but it's not awful. ------------------ Rockets fans wanted at hoopsboards.com Draft Chat, NBA Chat, Team Chat, and more!
