Rank these point guards and these shooting guards/small forwards against each other

I don't see any of those PGs making an impact for the Rockets.

 

You forgot Chase Budinger

 

Oh....got ya

 

http://auburnbeat.blogspot.com/2008/01/scout-troop.html

Or the Rockets could pull another Aaron Brooks or Carl Landry, ie a WTH? pick and choose Sonny Weems a 6-6 SG out of Arkansas.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Sonny-Weems-330/
http://nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/sonnyweems.html

 

The trade that you have suggested does not favor the Kings.Brooks may have been one of the players that they might have been interested in but I seriously doubt that he was the main stumbling block to a trade for Artest despite what David Aldridge allegedly said. We should go for the BPA irrespective of position.
If the Rockets don't find anyone that could be of use in either the short or long term,trade it for a future 1st rounder.

 

BTW, it seems that Budinger is moving up gradually , and somehow ironically right after the Suns and Nuggets lost

 

BTW, Buddinger will climb back up. He has really good athleticism that becomes really apparent in workouts, and that always helps you move up in the draft.

Only PG out of those I would Consider is Chalmers because he is a big, and I feel a much better defender, good shooter, and fewer TO's.

However, we need a SG. If the Rockets are trying to win now, you cannot draft a PG and have him adjust to the NBA game and your offense in one season, take Aaron Brooks as an example. It would take too long for him to really show a big contribution. (Cases like Sam Cassell are exceptions to the rule.) This means we need to get a PG as a FA/Trade and draft a SG/SF.

Any player that we draft at his position depends on one huge factor. Will Battier be with the team next year? This is big for two reasons. 1. if Battier is gone for whatever reason, they have to be a strong defensive player (Rush). 2. If Battier is gone, they need to play the SF just as much as the SG, meaning they need to be bigger to handle bigger players like Carmelo, Odom, Jackson, Lebron, Outlaw, etc. (Alexander, CDR, Rush)

If Battier stays, then I really feel we should look for more of a true SG, not so much of a SG/SF. Meaning someone who is a bit quicker, somewhat better ball-handler, etc. Because then we Mcgrady, Battier and Novak can all play SF, and with Mcgrady hopefully posting up a bit more next year, we can have maybe a better shooter on the perrimeter.

So on the SG's/SF's this is how I feel about them:

Chris Douglas-Roberts: He seems like the most all-around player of those listed. He used to be only a slasher, but had really developed a jump shot and a pull up, mid range game. He at times did take over the game. However, I'm not too sure how he would as a spot up shooter, and he still needs some work on making plays for others (not a lot, but some). He shoots FT's and Threes well. He is long and gave a lot energy on Defense. He played smart when I saw him. My only problem with him, which might be due to press nit-picking, is that he does seem a bit of a small frame without a lot strength and coming the NBA, that may affect his game.

Brandon Rush: He seems sort of like the second coming of Battier, with by far the best defensive player of SG's, who is smart, few mistakes, and hustle player. Which would make him an ideal draft pick if we do trade Battier. However, he has a tendency to disappear from games. Also, the past year, he became primarily a jump shooter, a good one, but that is it. Maybe he will be with more time after his knee injury, however that could open up his game more.

Joe Alexander: He seemed to play like a white carmelo the few games I saw. He has size though, but probably not the speed and quickness to truly play SG. I didn't get a great feel for his defense, but on offense he was solid but limited. He cannot shoot the three at all. If only for that reason, given our offense with T-mac and Yao who you want to surround with shooters, I think no.

Courtney Lee: While a few of his teammates had a few bigger games than him in the NCAA tourny, he was the biggest player and was asked to make plays. He can go to the basket, hit free throws, hit the mid range shot. Not the best passer in the world, but he is was okay. Not the best rebounder, but he would often go for loose balls and get there first. He was also a better than average 3pt shooter. On defense, he would disappear at times, and lose his man sometimes, but he also would make some really good plays. Didn't make too many mistakes.

Shan Foster: He seems to be what we all wanted from Luther Head. a Big SG who can shoot. I saw him in one game, and he was horrible so I can't really use it for reference. I'm not going to say he is streaky, but you never know how shooters will react coming to the NBA and if they can be counted on. Not too sure how to grade his defense, because did not notice him much.

J.R. Giddens: He seems to have a grown into a better player but he seems to be a complete project. I only saw highlights of him this year, but a SG who scores mainly by going the basket but only hits ~55% FT spells disaster to me. Maybe spending a 2nd round pick on him, but not our 1st round pick.

So based on all that. I would say Rush if we trade Battier or C. Lee if we do not. I really don't think CDR will fall to us at 25, and I'm not sure I want to use our few trading pieces on moving up to draft someone who will be a 7/8 man at best when we have other holes on the team.

 

Of the players you listed I'd take Joe Alexander first. He really needs to work on his shooting, but coming into college there was a lot of things he needed to work on, and he got bigger and tougher and improved. Given the time to work on shooting, should it be able to improve?

I really like the Tom Chambers comparison. Because they're both white? Well, sure...but, they are both white. Beyond that, Chambers was never a great long distance shooter but always had his motor running and was a great athlete. I think Joe can fill a similar void. I don't expect him to be available.

Of the rest of the list, I like CDR. I'd also be interested in Lee, Will Daniels, and Davon Jefferson. How about Bill Walker, did he declare? Could be a good project pick in the late 2nd. Goran Dragic...6'4 European PG also might be a project pick to leave in Europe for another year or two.

I think the Rockets needs are wingman with size, wingman with size and wingman with size. Followed by PG with size, and backup center.

So, unless a PG comes along that is just too good to pass up, I'd draft SF/tall SG. I'd actually draft that in the second round, too.

 

Terrible choices

Where is Russell Westbrook?

I wants him

 

I think Douglas Roberts has the most upside, was the best player on the floor many times on a VERY tallented Memphis team. He is a little thin but he is long and seems to play smart.

Brandon Rush should be the obvious choice but he never seems to elevate his game when the situation calls for it. He is always good but never great and a good college player will have to elevate just to contribute in the NBA.

As far as the PG's go I like Chalmers from that group. He is smart, fast, plays good defense at the point and has the size to do so. He is also a good shooter. I think in 1-2 years he would be rafer with a decent shot(which ain't bad). Worst case with Chalmers would be somewhere between Rondo and Heinrich(not bad either late in the draft).

Problem is, of those three only Rush will be available when we pick.

 

I think Lester Hudson is very interesting. He's got great height/length for the point. He knows how to score (3rd nationally). His shooting % is pretty good, and he also is a good defender/rebounder (#1 steals). I have little confidence in Francis, Brooks, or Jackson backing up Rafer - especially with respect to defense. Oh, and I'm not that thrilled with Rafer either...

 

Addendum:

Tenn-Martin played Memphis the first game of the season.

Derrick Rose 17 pts total, 1-5 (3) pointers

Lester Hudson 35 pts tot, 7-13 (3) pointers + 10 rebounds...

 

I thought this was an interesting quote regarding Ty Lawson from Draft Express,

 

We don't need any PG who can't play defense no matter how good they are. Look at Nash and all his Championship trophies.

PG skills in order of importance.

1. Protect the ball
2. Play defense
3. Run the offense
4. Score

This is why Rafer is effective but not great.