The official Rockets homepage now has a special draft section to keep us fans informed on some of the Rockets draft efforts. Right now, the site has a list of prospects who have worked out for the Rockets, draft party information, as well as video footage of some workouts (Caron Butler, Kareem Rush). The new section also has a few features from the 2001 draft.
Yeah, Rush seemed to not miss any shots. You can tell he isn't very strong by the trouble he had posting up. The coach was able to push him off the block rather easily. Butler, on the other hand, looked like a rock. I like the strength he showed when posting up as well as his shooting ability.
One of those coaches looked like Larry Smith. If it was him, and he was the one pushing on Rush down low, then I can't fault Rush. Larry could probably push a bus off the blocks.
I think it was Smith so you can't blame Rush too much. However, it does speak volumes about Butler's NBA readiness that he was able to establish and hold some position against Smith and in one instance bang with Smith pretty well.
There is something subtle and complete about Kareem's game. I think he's gonna find a way to be a star in this league. I hope he's around at 15.
I thought Rush looked like crap. He hit two nice shots on the same baseline move, talked crap when he had nothing to talk about, and couldn't take it to the basket, even when the coaches said, "Take it to the basket". Butler looked good, expecialy on his little psudo-dreamshake thing. I also found it intresting that the shots he missed seemed to come when he faded away or didn't attack. The other video of him shooting, however, was no big thing to me. I could have hit at the rate he was shooting if I had no defender and was that relaxed and unrushed. I guess at least he didn't fall on his face. The one thing that worried me a bit, when seeing him next to Rush, was that he wasn't really the kind of big body who'll fill out like Paul Pierce, to whom he often gets compared. Also, note that Mr. Smith wasn't exactly chalenging shots too much. He did make them fight a bit for the position, though.
Otto, I thought it was Aaron McGhee the coaches were asking to take it to the basket. Anyways, I was also concerned w/ Butler's size - he really doesnt look that much bigger than Rush and looks to be closer to 6'6" than the 6'7" being advertised. He missed a lot of shots at the end in that round the world shooting drill....you usually want guys to finish strong.
Rush looked like crap? He reminded me of Cuttino with some of those moves.. plus the left hand If he's around at 15, I wouldn't mind the Rox snatching him... 42% 3-PT 43% FG 75% FT Not a bad choice if we think Oscar won't cut it..
