If we had the No. 2 pick last year, the way Rudy thinks, I don't think we would have drafted Stevie. We would have probably drafted Wally Sczerbiak, since he was a senior and was more disciplined,polished, and proven than Francis. Also Rudy loves 3 point shooters so he would have loved to draft Wally. Maybe Rudy would have picked Steve, but then would trade him to some other team, either way, I don't think we would end up with Steve.Thank God, we didn't have the 2nd pick, or we wouldn't have Stevie.
If the Rockets wanted Sczerbiak they could have traded Dickerson and Harrington for him but they didn't.
At the end of the season, many people people had Collier as a fringe lottery draft. As the camps and workouts progressed many players stock went up and down. If I'm not mistaken, Collier's stock dropped way down because he missed the first camp and many teams didn't get to see him, not because he had second round talent. ------------------ Kenny Thomas had a foul called on him in the Western Conference Finals.
I never saw any mock drafts showing collier going around the 15th pick. I think I saw one that had him at the very end of the 1st round. I did see some draft reviews that stated if the rockets wanted collier, they could of picked him up with their 2nd round pick. Dont take my word on grading the draft, I have seen grades from C- to F posted from all the top news agencies covering the draft. As far as the draft miracles that rudy pulls out of the hat. I will admit Cutino, Cassell,etc.. were great finds. But lets look at the 97 & 98 draft. One draft scout said in all of his years covering the draft he's never seen anything compared to when the rockets picked up Rhodes in the 1st round. Most scouts did not even think he would be drafted at all. 3 years later, he is nowhere and was a waste of a pick. Then 98, the biggest blounder of picks. Dickerson was a great deal with the 14th pick, Drew only made it into the 1st round because of his last minute shot in college. Mircan Turkkkeyy, is not even worth talking about. I wonder if Rudy or CD have ever admitted they made a mistake in 98 not selecting Lewis. I think KT was a great find last year. I am not trying to be negative, just like many other post on here, I think the rockets wasted a lottery selection for nothing. ** One last note, on the eve of the draft I remember hearing Rudy state that there were 8 great players to pick from in this draft and they would be one pick too late on sure things. If I remember correctly, only 6 of the projected 8 players were selected - leaving the rockets with 2 of those picks. ------------------
You know, I like how you ignore that major NBA Draft analysts CBSsportsline.com and nbadraft.net have the Rockets getting B's for the draft. NBAdraft.net says that the trade was a very good move for the Rockets, and that Collier may end up being better than Przybilla. If you mention the ones that rank us low, you have to mention the ones that rank us high. Rhodes was a good player for us. Did you ever notice things fell apart for him AFTER he left Houston? He was decent in Houston. There were a ton of mock drafts that had Collier in the top 12-20 at the end of the college season. It's just because of missed camps he dropped. He was up there between 12-20 when the season ended, and since there hasn't been a legit reason for him to drop. I can't wait to see some of you guys eat your words when you look at Collier a year from now compared to guys like Moiso and Przybilla, not even mentioning our pick next year. ------------------ Member of the pro-Collier/Langhi movement. IN RUDY WE TRUST!!
Though Rudy historically has gone for seniors, I think it's safe to say if he had been in the Top 6 he would have drafted someone like a Fizer (junior), Miller (sophomore), DerMarr (freshman) or Miles (high schooler)... ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
Every draft pick you make is not going to be a superstar. You mentioned quite a few nice picks the Rockets have made that weren't sure things by any means. When you mention drafting blunders you have to mention teams that have been consistently bad for the past decade (Golden State, Dallas, etc.). Joe Smith went number one overall.... I don't think Rudy had anything to do with that. Of course, he might have been better off if Rudy had drafted him. ------------------ Kenny Thomas had a foul called on him in the Western Conference Finals.
I am one of the biggest Francis fans, but lets be realistic. I think the 2000 draft showed exactly the way that Rudy thinks. No college degree, no career on the rockets. Maybe thats why we passed on Lewis (big mistake). Can anybody name one underclassman that Rudy has drafted. Nothing against Collier or Langhi, but every scout & nba analayst agreed they are 2nd round material. Imagine all the offers we would of had for Alexander, we could of gotten Collier and a couple of 1st round picks. NBA talk is now reporting that a deal has been reached between Portland & the bulls - O'Neil for Fizer. How much does this hurt, Fizer is the perfect fit in Houston. Problem is, we traded the 2nd best center in the draft for a pick that the bulls would never want. Way to go Rudy! ------------------
Dude don't freak so hard. Do you NOT think that the Rockets picked up the phone when # 9 came up called 20 teams & said if we picked Alexander-Joel-or some other numb nut, what will you do for us to get that player. Then took the very best scenario & did it?? Lets face it, yes the Rockets value guys that have good NCAA experience under the belt but they also value guys who have skills to fill immediate needs for the team they already have in place. In closing WAY TO RUDY - At least at least you have nuts! Oh yea wouldn't the experts have said 2 years ago that Mobley was 2nd round Material???? ------------------
barbourdg-- you exagerate. Not EVERY NBA scout agreed that Collier and Langhi were second rounders. Many, many mocks had Collier going about where he went and none other than Marty Blake himself honored Langhi by assigning him late first/early second round worthiness. These guys are good fits for our system and, I think, will surprise us all. ------------------ There are 3 kinds of people: those who can count and those who can't.
Ok, so everyone here pretty much is under the assumption that the ceiling for Francis is Much higher and Brighter than that of Elton Brand. Who here honestly believes that given the same players on his team this year, that Brand and Francis were available this year in the draft, and he had the first pick, that Rudy wouldnt of drafted Brand over Francis??? Cmon show of hands.
