Like they didn't last season. We all wanted a PF because we sorely needed it. Wanted that Wayne Simien guy. It's possible we draft a PG even though we really need height at SG and depth at PF. This draft has some pretty solid swingmen/ PF later in the draft. Luther Head pick didn't make sense at first. I believe the Rockets will again gamble on hoping to get a player like Stromile (Bonzi) during free agency and try to pursuade him here. I think we would draft Marcus Williams if he's available. I mean, PG seems to be the easiest to learn under JVG. PG's we acquired last season (Rick Brunson, JL3) seem to really fit in easily. And it's still questionable if Alston is a championship quality PG.
This is a very different situation from last year. Last year we drafted at #24. That late in the round, drafting the best available talent is really the only thing that makes sense because you're not even gauranteed to get a guy who will crack your roster. This year we'll be drafting in the lottery. It's a lot easier to draft for need in that case. Personally, I hope they still draft the best available talent. It seems like the best way to go when we're so sorely lacking depth. However, I won't be particularly surprised if they do pick a SG or PF. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
JL3 did seem to fit in, but he was also cut after a short stay. Brunson played under JVG in NY so he was already familiar with his system. Using those 2 guys aren't real good examples of PGs being the easiest to learn under JVG. JVG said a couple weeks back that he thinks Alston can be championship PG. Like jmwilliams posted, drafting at #8 is very different from drafting at #24. I would't be all that suprised if we do draft a PG because we don't have a backup right now (relying on Spanoullis is a little premature IMO) and JVG has made it known that he wants more PGs.
Personally, I don't think we should draft a SG because Luther. No, not because Luther should start, but because he should be the back-up SG. The flow of the game really changes from Alston to Luther, and he is much better without the ball in his hands as a spot up shooter. If we draft a SG in the first round, we would need a starter shooting guard, and I don't think anyone wants Wesley back. Luther obviously won't start and neither will the rookie. I think it will have to be a vet, and the Rockets will pursue one in free agency. Here are the scenarios: Drafting a SG: PG: Alston/ Luther SG: Wells/ Carney or Roy We will have to have Luther at back-up PG because we don't have one. And I doubt JVG will give that many minutes for a rookie SG. Drafting a PG: PG: Alston/ Williams SG: Wells/ Head/ 2nd round pick Here, everyone's skills are used better at their natural positions. I think it would be nice also if the 2nd round pick was used on a SG for some depth and because I think SG's develop slower in JVG's system.
according to nbadraft.net: Williams and fellow UConn guard A.J. Price allegedly stole 10 laptop computers from UConn dorm rooms. There could be serious repercussions from such allegations ... I'd want to beat his f'ing ass, not cheer for him if this was true. What a punk. Carney by far.
Lol, ok I'll ignore your posts next time you post about the draft. You sound extremely biased. I get the feeling people like Carney because of his looks, seriously. And I want those people to stay away from me.
1. Not everyone wanted a 4. There were lots of 4 targets in free agency (Swift, Marshall, Walker, SAR), and I wasn't sold on Simien to begin with. I, and a lot of other people, wanted a wing, namely Francisco Garcia, or a combo forward like Hakim Warrick. 2. No, people don't like Carney because he has prototype wing size, explosive athleticism, and can shoot, on a team deprived of wings with size, athleticism, and shooting, let alone all 3. That would be too logical. If we have a chance, I want Rudy Gay. I see an early TMac in him, which is how I see his career progressing - a defensive terror at first, eventually rounding out.
I guarantee you everyone was assuming we couldn't afford any of those power forwards you mentioned. Noone was saying "Oh yeah let's go for SAR with the MLE". Everyone thought his stats meant he would go for more than the MLE. Many people believed we didn't have the assetts to trade for Walker. Many knew Marshall was going to Cleveland already. People like to state Carney's physical state, but his mental state is a bigger factor. I am just tried of the Eddie Griffins, the Darius Miles, and the Qyntel Woods.
You've been a "senior member" since March of 2006. How you are attempting to comment on board speculation from last summer is beyond me. Anyways, of course people were speculating that we could land the likes of Swift, SAR, Fatoine the Chucker, Kwame, Chandler, Marshall and others for the MLE. It was a big debate and in most cases, realistic debates as well since Swift, SAR and Marshall all ended up signing for the MLE while players like Walker and Kwame ended up getting more through S&T's. What are you basing your conclusions of Carney off of? He doesn't have a checkered past or anything of the sort. Just because some scouts are saying he might have below average basketball IQ doesn't make him a problem child like the other players you mentioned. That's like saying since Francis wasn't the smartest basketball player in the world he's a criminal. It just doesn't work that way.
If we are keeping Alston and bringing back James there wouldn't be any need for another Point Guard! The true quality Point Guard that plays the traditional Playmaker Role is so few and far between and I am not sure that he could flourish under the multi dimentional demands of Coach JVG.In the draft the Rockets should be looking towards getting big athletic players that are quick, have long arms & can put the ball in the basket.
I read this site on daily basis before I joined. I based my conclusions on Carney from what I watched on TV. I see much inconsistency in his game, and he drifts off when he misses a couple of shots. I didn't base it off scouts.
Your guarantee is just flat out wrong. Everyone knew those pfs were going to get MLE type money because a. they didn't want to stay with their respective teams\ b. the teams with cap room weren't interested\ c. no one was willing to offer up a good trade to scoop them up in a S&T.\ The only player who got a real sweetheart deal was Walker, and that was more to make the salaries match up easier, IIRC. And I have no qualms at all with drafting Marcus Williams if he truly is bpa when it gets to #8.
Bringing back James isn't set in stone. Mac the other day on 610 said that they're looking at Bonzi and Mike. It could very well be 50/50.
Dude, I swear I read about 200 posts stating we most likely won't be able to afford those PF's. I don't have the search function to prove it. You know it's dang well easy to say those things now because it's done and over with. But before everything happened you can't say all these things. (Your a.b.c. points)
Yet, you bashed another poster who is worried about about Marcus Williams' mental state. BTW, a lot of posters felt the PFs available last summer could have been signed for the MLE or at least through a sign and trade.
I bashed him because he has mentioned Carney in tons of threads. Little too much Carney love coming from him. Ugh, if only I had a search function... I would post at least 10 quotes of posters believing those PF's weren't available for the MLE.
\ well for every 200 there had to be 1000 or so stating we had a good shot. I know it's easy to say those things now because it was easy to say then before any one of them happened and if you would have been paying attention around that time you would have noticed how often those points were addressed over and over and over again. In fact, the very notion that you think otherwise leads me to believe that you were not reading the board around that time.
Uh, you do remember the potential Rocket profiles Clutch made? Including Abdur-Rahim, Marshall, Walker, and Swift? Here was my thread on the subject. http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=96092 Notice virtually no one dismissing the idea of the above free agents based on costs.
