I like two things about the deal: 1) I think Morris will will be a keeper and provide depth/insurance for Langhi, 2) that Les allowed those in charge to make the decisions rather than pull a Jerry Jones. I think that passing along that first rounder from Philly for TMo will look like a great deal in a couple of years.
Imagine the Different line ups that Rudy can put on the floor now. Here's one that I will be interested in seeing: Francis Mobely Langhi Morris Griffin Damn that would be one high flyin long lean and super fast line up. Imagine the shot blocking and Rebounds that TRock and Eddie would give is. That would have to be the fastest line up in the NBA. Granted that line up might have problems stoping Shaq or TDunc but let Dallas try and play small ball with us. ------------------
Sorry, I dislike the trade. Houston now has: Griffin, Williams, Langhi, Morris, and possibly Bullard at the SF posiiton. Only one of these guys is really suited to playing another position (ane Griffin needs more weight for the 4). Heck, if we resign Anderson, he'll get minutes there as well. Morris offers nothing that Griffin does not, and is inferior to Langhi at other things (shooting). Let's remember: this guy shot 28.9% from the COLLEGE THREE POINT LINE. That's HORRIBLE. And that doesn't have much to do with stevie not being there (although the regular fg% might). I don't think it's a good idea to draft someone who declined after their sophomore year. It's arguable that he played better his junior year... but his senior year was pretty awful. And I don't really care if it "wasn't our own pick." A pick is still a first rounder. And before you harp on it being a low one... well, so was the 23 that allowed us to procure Griffin. Morris is redundant at best. Non-NBA material at worst, and will never figure into significant minutes long-term. I don't get it, except to pacify Francis. ------------------ Don't let those uppity newbies get away with acting like vets... ...all newbies are equal, remember that.
My opinion is the Rockets made a great deal. They themselves would have taken morris with the 23rd pick, making him a first rounder. This way they don't hurt themselves cap-wise, dealing a future first rounder (which will probably be around 18-26, guessing based on half-ass first rounders with long date ranges on when they can be given) for a second rounder that can contribute. I like Morris on this team. There is one legitimate beef though -- there is a logjam at the three (though Griffin can probably play a four in a few years, in the style that Shareef Abdur-Rahim has), and the logjam is created by rookies and a second-year guy (Langhi). Where does Walt, and Bullard (who wants to remain here) fit in to the mix? That's the real question. I think Walt could be dealt, but the key players on the team want him here (the players love the guy, and the Rockets chemistry off the court is exceptional) ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
Ok, I don't know if anyone else has said this, but my understanding of the pick we were owed was " any first rounder that Detroit acquires by 2004. So that means it was up to them, and you know what that means, they'll ship a 2 seconds for a really really late 1st just to get it off the board. I'll take Morris, and, besides, you can't really go wrong with rewarding your franchise player for showing loyalty to a former team mate. I'm getting the impression more and more that, corny as it sounds, team is what this bunch is all about. ------------------
Clutch- I AGREE This draft has got everyone fired up I'm glad Rudy didn't draft a center from Greece- we would all still be sick. I think Rudy and CD have a master plan for building- the pieces include: 1. Players who fit the Rudy system, 2. perceived talent, 3. Chemistry within, and 4. immediate needs these shift based upon personel and situation for instance with pippen we put 2 & 4 above 3 With Stevie we got all pieces in place So decisions on Bullard and Walt depend alot on these factors ------------------
Morris was the 33rd player taken in the draft. The future any team’s pick could be the 29th pick in the draft with a guaranteed 3 years contract most likely to be twice of a salary cap hit. In the SAR trade Atlanta had the option of taking the 27th pick (Tinsley) or two future 2nd round pick from the Grizz. The only reason why Atlanta took the 27th pick was because Indiana was willing to gave a future 1st round pick for Tinsley or else from my understanding Atlanta would had opted for the two 2nd round picks. I saw what Detroit did to Vancouver with that 18th pick in the draft thing so I know Detroit will screw Atlanta with the worst possible pick they can get. 25th – 29th pick the 1999-1992 1999 25. Miami: Tim James (Miami) 26. Indiana: Vonteego Cummings (Pittsburgh) 27. Atlanta: Jumaine Jones (Georgia) 28. Utah: Scott Padgett (Kentucky) 29. San Antonio: Leon Smith (King High School-Chicago) 1998 25. Indiana: Al Harrington (St. Patrick's HS) 26. LA Lakers: Sam Jacobson (Minnesota) 27. Seattle: Vladimir Stepania (Slovenia) 28. Chicago: Corey Benjamin (Oregon State) 29. Utah: Nazr Mohammed (Kentucky) 1997 25. New York: John Thomas (Minnesota) 26. Miami: Charles Smith (New Mexico) 27. Utah: Jacque Vaughn (Kansas) 28. Chicago: Keith Booth (Maryland) 29. (Washington had to forfeit their pick) 1996 25. Utah (traded to Miami): Martin Muursepp 26. Detroit: Jerome Williams (Georgetown) 27. Orlando: Brian Evans (Indiana) 2 8. Atlanta: Priest Lauderdale 29. Chicago: Travis Knight (UConn) 1995 25. Orlando: David Vaughn (Memphis State) 26. Seattle: Sherell Ford (Illinois-Chicago) 27. Phoenix: Mario Bennet (Arizona State) 8. Utah: Greg Ostertag (Kansas) 29. San Antonio: Corey Alexander (Virginia) 1994 25. LA Clippers: Greg Minor (Louisville) 26. New York: Charlie Ward (Florida State) 27. Orlando: Brooks Thompson (Oklahoma State) 28. Dallas: Deon Thomas (Illinois) 29. Phoenix: Antonio Lang (Duke) 1993 25. Chicago: Corey Blount (Cincinnati) 26. Orlando: Geert Hammink (Louisiana State) 27. Phoenix: Malcolm Mackey (Georgia Tech) 28. Dallas: Lucius Harris (Long Beach State) 29. Minnesota: Sherron Mills (Virginia Commonwealth) 1992 25. LA Clippers: Elmore Spencer (UNLV) 26. Portland: David Johnson (Syracuse) 27. Chicago: Byron Houston (Oklahoma State) 28. Minnesota: Marlon Maxey (Texas-El Paso) 29. New Jersey: P. J. Brown (Louisiana Tech)
This is the best draft that I have ever witnessed. I was technically around for the 84 draft (5 yrs old) and the 98 draft for Franchise was awesome. But I think the The Griffster and TMo will be a PERMANENT part of our rotation. This is a dynasty in the making. I am still high from Wednesday night. This is a great way to get the team and the fans excited about the Rockets future. I know RudyT and CD already have something lined up to move some of our surpluses (Walt,Langhi) for a Center. Or they have a good FA lined up (Davis,Jackson, Mutombo,etc?). This is the beginning of something great. Watch out Fakers! ------------------ "How close were you to her? Real close until the roofies wore off. Then she woke up talking about pressing charges, so I took my tongue out of her ass and left son." - Marlon Wayans "Scary Movie" Go Rockets!!! SS
