http://rockets.realgm.com/articles/59/20050516/summer_in_space_city_rockets_offseason_preview/ There are a few names we haven't talked alot about. Thought you might be interested.
Good article. Looking at some of the names I hadn't thought of made me feel pretty good that it won't be hard for us to improve next year. I disagree with him on Swift, and Snackbar definitely won't be coming back.
C- or maybe a D+ article. Written by an unassuming outsider with somewhat a myopic view. It is okay though because it is realgm and not ESPN. I hope people will stop using sentences like this one below - it just shows lack of intelligence. That loss was an abberration - a fluke. No big deal - just a silly line.
"Other possibilities: Devin Brown, Bostjan Nachbar, Glenn Robinson, James Jones" Please don't make me go thru that whole Boki thing again.
A 40-point playoff loss shows that you need work. Though the season is over, the Rockets have a bright offseason ahead of them. Word is that Houston is the place to go this year. Guard/forward Tracy McGrady and Center Yao Ming are both young and will be locked up as Rockets for the better part of a decade. Many players would love to play alongside these two superstars. Let’s look at some of the prospective players that could don the Rocket’s red next season…… Rocket’s Needs PG: The Rockets have two very talented PGs in Bobby Sura and Mike James, but throughout their careers, they’ve been labeled as “shoot-first, pass-later.” Sura’s natural position is actually SG. Van Gundy loves a pure PG, so look to see a new floor general next year. One possibility is former Duke guard Chris Duhon. He’s not the most prolific scorer, but he will get the ball to those who will score. Chicago already has 2 good guards in Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon, so Duhon could be the odd man out of the starting lineup. Though he is a restricted free agent, he could be wearing a different red uniform next fall. Another possibility is Charlotte guard Brevin Knight. Though a little undersized (5’10”, 170 lbs), Knight takes care of the ball and is a great passer. He averaged 9 assists a game this year in Charlotte, second only to league MVP Steve Nash. Other choices: Marko Jaric, Earl Watson, Antonio Daniels, Jay Williams PF: Houston showed a large need for depth at PF throughout the playoffs. With the loss of Juwan Howard, the Rockets were forced to play one-dimensional players Scott Padgett and Ryan Bowen. The Rockets have lacked rebounding and interior defense from the PF position. Howard has proved adequate, but he averaged under 6 rebounds and had 5 blocks all year. One possibility is Memphis big man Stromile Swift. He’s an outstanding rebounder and shot-blocker, has amazing athleticism, and not afraid to bang in the paint. He’s an unrestricted free agent, and, though highly coveted, has a good chance of coming to Houston. Swift grew up in Louisiana, and the Rockets are reportedly his favorite team. He also attended Louisiana State University and could possibly move closer to home. Another choice is Donyell Marshall. Also a great rebounder and interior defender. One added skill is his shooting range. He can hit the perimeter shot, and he tied the record for most three-pointers made in one game (12). Houston attempted to acquire him from Toronto at the trade deadline, and should try hard this offseason to put him next to Yao Ming. Other options: Kwame Brown, Tyson Chandler, (draft) SF: All year, and especially after the trade of veteran Jim Jackson, Houston has lacked a backup SF. Coach Van Gundy was forced to keep McGrady on the court for over 40 minutes a game and use guard Jon Barry in a small lineup as his replacement. One option is guard/forward DerMarr Johnson. Though Denver will make a run at Johnson, expect Houston to look into the former Cincinnati Bearcat. Even after a possibly-fatal car accident resulting in 4 broken vertebrae in his neck, he has amazing athleticism and ball handling for his size (6’9”). He’s a good scorer and passer as well. Another choice is Toronto forward Eric Williams. Acquired in the Vince Carter trade, Williams has reportedly wanted out of Canada, and the team has a mutual feeling. Though he has little offensive upside, he is a defensive beast and can guard almost any position on the floor. Plays with a lot of energy. Other possibilities: Devin Brown, Bostjan Nachbar, Glenn Robinson, James Jones The Draft For the first time since 2002, Houston has a first round draft pick. Though low (#24), there will be many quality players left to choose from. Possible picks Kansas PF Wayne Simien – Big rebounder, big interior defender, NBA-ready body. UNC PF/C Sean May – Another NBA-ready big man, tough rebounder, limited mobility, but good low post scoring TX HS Sr. SG/SF CJ Miles – Great offensive player. Very good scorer, has good point guard skill. Good low-post moves for his size (6’6”) MS HS Sr. PG/SG Monta Ellis – Great scorer, but at his size (6’2”) he is a tweener: he lacks the height needed to play shooting guard and lacks the court vision and passing to play point guard. France PF/C Johan Petro – Very raw, but would be big payoff. Good low-post defender, will develop shot-blocking skills. Raw on offense, but is just 19 years old. As soon as the NBA Finals are over, look for Carroll Dawson to make moves that will put Houston in position to make a championship run. ============================================== interesting ideas. i like the players he thinks we have a chance at. we already know that JVG wants AD and marshall. that would be a great offseason.
Honestly, I am just glad realgm gave me something to read. During the offseason I feel like I am always searching in hopes for some tidbit of information that will keep me alive and mentally steady through the long stretches of silence that seem to perpetuate more intensily each year. It kinda feels like a form of depression without my daily dose of medicine... and to think it has only just begun...
One option is guard/forward DerMarr Johnson. Though Denver will make a run at Johnson, expect Houston to look into the former Cincinnati Bearcat. Man, it'd be great if we could get some of these guys! DerMarr Johnson! Stromile Swift Antonio Daniels Wayne Simien Eric Williams Chris Duhon (bench) - Not very high on PG that are 6'1" or under. I'd rather have Daniels or McInnis! CJ Miles is interesting... draftnet NBA Comparison: Ray Allen Strengths: One of the premiere athletes on the High School level. Very advanced set of offensive skills ... Has the best feel for the game of any High School senior draft prospect ... Plays very under control. Knows how to create shots for himself and others ... Has some point guard skills ... Has an excellent jump shot with good range and very good mechanics ... Good strength for a High Schooler ... Handles the ball well and finds teammates off the dribble ... Has a nice turn around jumpshot ... Long arms make him a nice shot blocker ... Loves to take the ball to the basket, and has an excellent crossover dribble ... Has the strength to take the ball inside and absorb contact and finish ... Good body strength and long arms, always stays on balance ... Plays a good deal in the post on the HS level so he has added post skills ... Weaknesses: Though he has good strength for college, he must gain weight and strength for the NBA level ... As with most High Schoolers he will be a long term project if he enters the draft, but he has developing skills and good athleticism ... Because he is the tallest kid on his HS team, he is asked to play inside, so his outside skills are not developing quite as well ... However, he gets time outside and has good range, and also sees time on the perimeter in the summer with Team Texas ... -Aran Smith 2/8/05
it'd be great to have Eric Williams back Tracy up. what would be the cost? Baker's expiring contract + 2 future 2nd rd. picks?
I second the DerMarr Johnson talk - and he can be had for less than the MLE. Only 25. a tall 6-9 SG/SF. Sat out the entire 2002 season withe the injury. Always shot the 3 well. Propbably could be had for 3 years 9M range
You are right. He might withdrawl from the draft if he doesn't look like a sure 1st rounder. Right now he looks on the bubble.
Actually one player mentioned in that article that is really under the radar is the Pacers James Jones. He is a 6'8 SF that can really hit the 3pt shot. He probably could be had for half the MLE. He has done a nice job for the Pacers off the bench. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3752
Indy will probably try to keep him, along with Fred Jones to help with their bench depth. But you never know, there is always a price.
Talking about Stromile Swift and Donyell Marshall like that.... Maybe because they seem obvious choices, but it made me grin; wonder if the writer checks out clutchfans.net?
only if he withdraws - this draft is too deep for a high schooler who did not impress at the All Star game. if he stays he might still be gone by 24, but it will be within 2-3 picks of the rockets (Denver need another shooting guard).
I like Williams alot, he is very good defender and can score when needed. I wouldn't mind picking him up to backup T-Mac.
