I don't know HP, Fizer looks a lot more like Barkley-esk in ability to me than a Forston or KT does (or even say a Big Nasty or LJ). Granted I haven't seem him a ton, but he seems much more explosive (in terms of a quick & powerful leaping ability that is almost never found in guy that size). If Fizer is one of the trully special athletes around his size like a Barkley, Jevon Kearse or Lawrence Taylor--if I can sample from other sports--he would be well worth a top 3 pick, let alone be available to us at a likely 5-8 or so. ------------------
Sir, Fortson didn't get 2nd Teamer his soph year and 1st teamer Jr without comparisons to Barkley. Go to NBA.com and read Fortson's bio if you don't recall. To me, he is identical sounding to Fizer. I'm willing to bet anyone here that Fizer will be available at the 6th spot. It's your call. Take him or trade for Fortson (the proven commodity). And remember, Pitino is bound to give us more than Fortson if someone to compliment Walker and Pearce is available. I'm not knocking Fizer....I'm just gun-shy about predicting PFs in college at the 6th spot. I think a trade is safer. ------------------ The farther the Rockets move down the standings, the farther I move down the bleachers. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited March 23, 2000).]
I'm willing to bet some team will be suckered into nabbing him top 5. I really don't think he's worth that high as he's undersized. I'll get a prime scouting report him as he plays UCLA today. I'll see if he's really what everyone claims as the best player after Martin. ------------------ A big time draft site has tried to stunt our growth, but we will succeed! The little draft site that could!
I'll certainly keep an open mind tonight, Fizer will be playing against good competion down low. Like I said I haven't seen him that much, maybe he isn't as explosive as I am thinking. Should be very interesting to watch. As far as Forston, I am not saying some didn't claim he had Barkley-esk athleticism, but I never did see it in him. Every time I have seen him to me he looks more like the ox type (Corliss, Mason, Oakley) than the strong & athletic bouncy type (Barkley, LJ, Witherspoon, the latter of whom obviously weren't as good as cracked up to be though in LJ's case I think injuries were a big part of him losing his athleticsm). ------------------
yeah...i should retract from saying Fortson has NBA athleticism. He doesn't. In college, he was a monster to handle though, and an excellent shot blocker. He still is a monster in the block. Anyhow, I'm certainly keeping an open eye on Fizer as well. Shortness doesn't bother me. I just don't see how too many are going to have KTs footwork. This isn't football. You must dribble and dance, not just drive straight at Mourning/Mutombo/Shaq/Duncan/Garnet/etc, although that threat does help. What I told RF34 was, I have made miserable predictions of PFs from college in the past (I think many have), so, since I want a PF, I tend to just want to trade the pick for a proven commodity. If he is very explosive like plenty say, take him...he will have tremendous trade value after his first year or will replace KT. Either way Fizer or KT should produce a star out of themselves or trading them early. I think Swift and Martin are safer bets, and probably one HSer (I say just from recent history). ------------------ The farther the Rockets move down the standings, the farther I move down the bleachers.
So what did ya'll think of Fizer??? He wasn't quite as explosive as I was thinking. But I was very impressed with his court awareness, ball handling and team attitude. One thing to think about he was playing againt Moiso who is a very good all-around player and Gadzuric, the latter of him is a strong 6' 11' 255 lbs or so guy. Moiso and Gadzuric couldn't push Fizer an inch. To me Fizer looks a lot like a hybrid of Big Nasty and the Chuckster. He looks more athletic than Williamson (& he was better range though we didn't see it), has terrific body control for a guy his size, though I am not ready to put him in Charles defy human laws athletic class yet. One thing I am thinking, do ya'll see any reason why Fizer couldn't be a very good pro 3. Corlis makes an adequate 3 who poses some match-up problems, but Fizer has better shooting and athleticism so maybe he could pose similar match-up problems for the other teams yet be a little less exploitable by the quicker 3s and could occasionally set up the offense. Didn't Barkley start the league as a 3, maybe we have been thinking of Fizer for the wrong position???? ------------------
I thought Fizer had a very, very nice all around game. What stood out to me was his ball handling and touch. He looked strong and played good defense, although long PF's will be able to post up and shoot over him. Long PF's can post up and shoot over most anybody. Moiso was able to do this a few times, but on the other hand, Moiso couldn't stop Fizer. He showed very good energy. I think he could play some 3, but primarily will be a 4. If the Rockets get the 1st pick, he would be my vote. ------------------
The thing I really like about Fizer is how buff he is, and he reminds me of a younger Dale Davis. The thing about Fizer is he will be a really good rebounder and provides our team with that sort of low presence on the defensive and offensive end that we really need. I also think that he would compliment Francis really well. ------------------ The clock is winding down, and Scottie has the ball, Cato is sprinting towards him, Pippen shoots and here comes Cato. Man did you see that block?!!! Ouch it hit Scottie right between the legs. ITS FINAL!! THE ROCKETS ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF Y2K!!!
I didn't exactly get to see Fizer's game cuz they were running a zone. However I have to admit Tinsley did a superb job of setting up Fizer underneath at point blank range. I could see Fizer was having trouble with height, same like Barkley. However, I feel he should extend his game and add some perimeter arsenal moves. Everyone of his scores was 5 feet away from the basket which shows his post up dominance. He had a chance to shoot a open 3 for example, instead took it inside and posted up. At least it shows he understands what he's better at doing. At least he won't be jacking up bad shots. I like his basketball smarts. I'm still against having Fizer and Kenny on the same team. Just don't like two undersized PFs rotation. ------------------ A big time draft site has tried to stunt our growth, but we will succeed! The little draft site that could!
The thing I like most about Fizer is team play. Going into the Big XII he was the most hyped player from I State. In the Tournement when teams keyed on him, he helped his fellow cyclones burn them at almost every position. I actually hoped that Iowa State didn't get this far so that he would stay a secret for the Rockets to steal................... ------------------
I would love to have a another problem like Barkley's lack of heigth if we got we got the rest of his package with it. Personally, I wouldn't think twice about adding another short forward if it happened to be Fizer. I think he is a class above any front line player we now have on our team and I would make the other guys worry about finding PT, or if need be, trading them. Not being quite the player Fizer is is far from insult. ------------------
