What were the other teams scores in those games? A lot, if I remember correctly, were close, but the Rockets lost nonethess. Defense wins you those games. Even further, it allows you to fast break more than once a quarter, generally helping to open up your offense...it would also prevent the other team from getting so many offensive boards. Were so much further behind defensively than offensively that I think you have to concentrate on defense. Of course, the defense being bad isnt as painful to watch from a fans perspective than the bad offense, but it has just as large an effect on the game
Originally posted by JayZ750 Hey, you're preaching to the choir here re. defense. But you rarely improve your defense much in the draft, unless you manage to snag a stud shot blocker. Good defense requires commitment and desire on the part of the whole team. You can, however, improve your offense big time with one draft pick. Also, by improving your shooting, you cut down on the opponent's fast break opportunities. Defensive rebounding is easier than offensive rebounding. That said, I doubt very much we will draft Williams or Wagner. I said before I was intrigued by Qyntel Woods, but I doubt he'll be available to us. I suspect we'll draft a 5 if a stud is available, but Rudy usually manages a surprise -- good or bad -- on draft day. P.S. verse, Wagner is a major defensive liability. NBADraft.net referred to "matador defense" but did note he seemed to want to improve.
HELLO? I thought Wagner was 6'2? No way we're picking up a SF. Not a SG, not a PG. Definitely not a PF. The only thing we'll be looking to get this summer is backup C, unless Collier shows consistent good play the rest of the season. BTW, Chris Marcus is the exact opposite of what this team needs. He's too slow. Backup C. If not for the fact that the Rocket's beleive they don't need more pieces right now, then the fact that we can't move certain pieces (Mo, Cato, Rice). Maybe if we could trade KT and our 2 picks (something like 7th & 14th) for the number one pick, then we could pickup Yao Ming, make him Cato's backup for a season till he develops his game, then we have a starter.
There is no reason for us to draft another point or shooting guard. If we're going to draft someone, I say we get the biggest (not Yao Ming) player available. The NBA really does not have a lot of centers. If we can get a good center, that will drastically improve the play of our team. In fact, thats the only position we are sorely lacking in. I think it would be best if we snatched up either Drew Gooden, Chris Borchardt or Chris Marcus. Here is some info on the three... http://www.nbadraft.net/profiles/drewgooden.htm http://www.nbadraft.net/profiles/curtisborchardt.htm http://www.nbadraft.net/profiles/chrismarcus.htm Preferably Gooden or Borchardt, but if we have to I think its worth it to gamble and snatch up Marcus.
Chris Marcus is the next Thomas "Two Sandwiches" Hamilton. He is not that quick, he is just a big body. Gooden would look good in the frontcourt along with Eddie Griffin, another good guy would be Melvin Ely from Fresno State.
Why would the Rockets draft Gooden? He looks like another Griffin, which by no means is a bad thing, but.. looking at that link posted to his stats, it says his strengths are at the 4, and he can play a little three because of his agility. Why would we draft another 4? We got Eddie turning out to be a damn good 4, why do we need another one to add to the mix? Mo T/KT and Griffin, don't need anymore if you ask me. And I don't think Gooden or Griffin could ever be expected to guard the 3's we have in this league, so basically we'd just be drafting another 4?? We really don't even need a 5 that much, our front court is actually not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. Healthy and motivated, Cato is a monster. We need a good back-up C, whenever Griffin doesn't go in. We could even stick with The Thin Towers playing the 5 and 4, and I think we'd be fine. Let's try to get us a 3. -LTF
oh and as for Borchardt, is anyone else afraid to gamble on 7'0" white centers? The idea of getting another potential Collier scares me to the fact that I'd stay away from all big white guys -LTF
I don't see Francis lobbying for Wilcox-he was gone before Wilcox got there. Besides the fact that Wilcox needs to bulk up to become a thick PF, let alone a C. Francis may lobby for Juan Dixon, and I've thought about him as a Rocket (not with the lotto pick, but with the Toronto pick, maybe even a 2nd rounder). He's an undersized 2, but think of him in place of Moochie-he's 50 times the defender that Moochie is, and has some nice offensive skills, especially as a secondary-or tertiary threat. Of course, this may be wishful thinking by me trying to conspire how to replace Moochie dribbling, no D playing self. As for lotto centers-I see 2, maybe 3 options. Borchardt is going to be good, assuming he'll be able to stay healthy. He's very similar to Lafrentz, maybe with more toughness and not quite as much range. Ely is a more traditional center that's becoming rare-he's got the athleticism to go with his classic big man game, and seems to be developing the work ethic. #3 is Yao Ming, but no one knows much about his health, status, or strength. My opinion though-trade the pick+extras for Odom, or Marion if he becomes available. Then, assuming Cato keeps up his progress, scour a backup through free agency, resign Willis, or use one of the later picks taking a gamble on someone (Robert Archibald, Dan Gadzuric, or one of the small school centers). If you assume Cato gets 25 minutes, that leaves 23 minutes at the 5. If Mo+Griffin=70 minutes at the 4/5, that covers all of the 48 minutes at the 4, and 22/23 at the 5. Considering times when T-Mo or Rice or another SF plays the 4 in small ball, it shouldn't be too much of a problem.
A Odom or Marion on our team would really improve our team, but don't think it would happen any time soon. We are sorely lacking in an offensive minded rotation, heck we're lacking a rotation period. We need help at alot of positions.
