To me, smoking pot is not exactly a huge deal, but that is part of the problem. The big issue I have is that he doesn't have the discipline to kick the habit during the season and has been caught on more than one occasion. Also, he doesn't always hustle or play 100%, and for a bigman who needs to chase down balls and box out for rebounds, that doesn't sit well with me. Notice how he averaged less than 7 rebounds in 32 minutes. He has a low basketball IQ, loses focus/intensity during games, and lacks the work ethic to take advantage and improve on his athletic skills. With 1 pick this year (and next I believe), no cap space, limited trade assets, and a new GM, we need to make the most out of our pick and we need to get the surest thing at 26, not a boom or bust. If he drops into the 2nd round like most mocks have him, then I would love to trade for him, but I don't want him at 26.
I seriously doubt Sean Williams will be available at #26, but, considering the Rockets needs, he would be a steal -- a far better option than an expensive loon (albeit very talented loon) like Ron Artest. However, I am very anxious to see how much influence Dooku actually exerts.
With that much talent I'd take him at #26 given a history of anything less than child abuse, rape, or murder. On a more serious note, I wouldn't look down on his 7 rebounds per game all that much. He goes after EVERY shot on the defensive end (thus the 5.0 blocks per game) and therefore is probably out of position for rebounds simply because he's the one changing shots. Basically, I'd see Sean changing the shots and Yao hauling in the misses, as opposed to Yao changing shots and relying on shorter players (Chuck, Shane, Juwan) to grab rebounds. Again, if he's there at #26, TAKE HIM. The only exception should be if Acie Law somehow falls to us, but he won't. Then again, Marcus Williams might tell me otherwise.
Based on his history it will be difficult to assess how well Sean will do even if he shows considerable improvement and a good attitude in practice and in the workouts. Any team will be taking a gamble with him.The Rockets need to look at him very thoroughly if he available at the 26th pick. I would rather go for Ron Artest instead of him because he is a raw talent but I admit we need a good,talented young PF on the team.
Blocked a ton of a shots? Check. Troubled college career marked by multiple suspensions? Check. No discernible basketball IQ or discipline? Check. Lack of intelligence and questionable lifestyle choices? Check. 6'10", 220-230 lbs? Check. Wow, ladies and gentleman: Eddie Griffin has a clone. Now let's draft him!
I agree and am not an advocate one way or another on the guy because I didn't see him play to make a decision on how his skills could translate. However, if we got this guy at #26 that would be 2 less 1st round choices than it took us to get Griffin. If we are getting an Eddie Griffin talent for much less then it might be worth it. Maybe the 2nd time is a charm.
It doesn't matter what he was involved in/with the bottom line is he disregarded the rules and the important fact is he was a repeat offender. The Rockets need someone to come along quickly not some knucklehead who needs a few years to get it right off the court. Yao & Mac don't have the time for this. http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=392
That'd be buying a few second rounders and with one of them drafting Stephane Lasme. He's supposed to be a better shotblocker than Williams but projected to have less potential because of his age.
the thing about him is if he decides to play he could be pretty good, or if he never grows up then he will be totally worthless. Its sink or swim. I'd rather the rockets take a guy with a smaller range of variability. At 26, the rockets should be able to get a solid player.
If he is there at #26 which I very seriously dought with the Nets, Warriors, Knicks and Suns drafting in front of the rockets, you have to take him even with all his problems. The reward far out weighs the risk for a 26th pick. This kid has the potential in leading the league in shot blocking.
reward far outweighs the risk? ok...so he's a good shotblocker...what else? either he's a shotblocker or we waste a pick and capspace...i dont see that as far outweighing anything.
I think there are a lot of teams that would gladly spend a #26 pick on Chuck Hayes, and his numbers were similar to Williams' in college, aside from the fact that Williams blocks every shot in sight and is a much more efficient scorer (going by PPS). He's more than a shot blocker. By a lot? Probably not, but he can score at least as well as Chuck and he started for us last year. So yeah, I would still gladly take a chance on him. Of course he COULD be a bust, but he COULD also easily develop into a 12/8 guy with 2.0+ blocks per game Adelman could push the right buttons.
You obviously haven't seen this kid. Watch the video of Horford and williams back to back and tell me who looks like the better athlete. Oh and remember while you are watching that these are highlights designed to show the players best and then watch that almost all of Sean's highlights came from 1 game whereas Horford's came over the course of the season. The kid is a physical specimen that has a body better than Karl Malone did coming into the league. Yeah he has issues but if he didn't he definitely would be lottery. The key is the Rockets need to to do there homework and if he has his act together than this is a risk worth taking. In the end ever player is a risk. Yao's knee is a risk Tmac's back is a risk. We all do stupid things in our life. Sean looks like a player that has as much upside as anyone.
the difference is that chuck wasnt a problem child. He worked hard and always tried to get better, plus is a smart player. the difference is that if chuck wasnt going to make it, its because he just wasnt good enough and not because he was a knucklehead. Well, for williams, you have to worry about both of those aspects...it just adds more variable that could go wrong.
i just dont see it happening. morey is not gonna take that risk with his moneyball approach. in fact, the whole moneyball concept is to cut down on risk as much as possible. he wants the best value from this pick, and if williams is getting suspended all the time, then there is no value behind this pick. if he was a hard worker and actually played with intensity throughout the whole game, maybe that would change my mind, but the fact of the matter is he's been kicked off his team, struggled in the classroom, has no basketball IQ, doesnt hustle...there are too many negatives to draft him in the 1st. no team is gonna give him a guaranteed contract for 4 years or however long rookie contracts are going for. he's a 2nd rounder, and ill bet a plate of eggrolls on that.
id take horford over williams any day. he's a high character kid, knows how to win, gives 100% every game, plays with intensity and a nonstop motor. has a much better offensive upside, blocks shots AND rebounds...there is a reason why horford will go 20 picks higher than williams.
