Probably the main reason I wanted Tracy McGrady so badly this season was because I love the point forward. The Scottie Pippen who can take pressure off his point guard by setting up the offense and creating for others from the backcourt. With an Iversonesque point guard like Steve Francis who is capable of getting hot very quickly, I think it would be very beneficial to the Rockets to have a point forward who can spell Steve at times. When Franchise is on fire, let someone else bring the ball up while Steve concentrates on the hoop. So, for you draft experts, who out there fits this mold? A 6'7-6'8 guy with handles and passing ability. I know Dermarr Johnson is a tall guard, but do you all think he will fill out physically to become a small forward? I think we need to spend our draft pick on this player, whoever he may be.
Thacabbage I agree with a lot of where you are going with this thinking, but I don't know if we really need the "point" part. We have enough guys to handle, what I want is a 3 who is a better than average rebounder, great finisher on the fast break, and great defender (especially another weak-side shot blocking clean up man for an overplaying defense). Basically, I would like a Horry who doesn't dribble off his foot or a Pippen minus the I-am-a-giant-ass factor. If we could take the best of KT and the best of Los we would have such a player too, but unfortunately we can't splice people yet. I agree McGrady seemed to fit the bill the best. I thought Jamison did at least a few of these things well too. I haven't seen them all play, but T. Morris, D. Johnson, Swift, Fizer and Porter may fit the bill. Peterson and Arceneux are a little shorter but if they have long arms and a quicker jump (say in contrast to Shandon) maybe they could fit the bill too. [This message has been edited by sir scarvajal (edited March 06, 2000).]
I think what the Rockets need is a defensive stoper at the SF position. I am not sure wether the Rockets can pick up a defensive SF from the Draft; but, I think that this is who the Rockets need, maybe a free agent or via trade. But, Porter does look good. May be the best after T.M. at the SF. But, I think that the Rockets will try to draft a big guy with their pick.
Sir Scarv, I see what you're saying. I forgot all about T. Morris who is an excellent ball handler, IMHO. Too bad he isn't coming out. With this perimeter oriented offense, and a perimeter power forward (KT), I think it is imperative that we have a small forward who can attack off the dribble. Break other teams off the dribble. Right now small forward is by far our greatest need. Williams/Bullard is our current sf rotation and that rates a 10 on the 'chump'ter scale. We need more than just Franchise and Mobley breaking guys down, if that is the type of offense we want to have. I feel there are plenty of other opportunities to address the power forward need. Kenny Thomas is good enough to be our starter, but we can still look to make deals/sign Jerome Williams or others of that kind. Small forward's with good ball handling skills are tougher to find, and if there is one on the board when we select, nab him. From what I have seen of Morris Peterson, he is not much of a ballhandler. I would say average for a small forward, he can break his man off the dribble. He is more of a fill the wings while the primary pg handles, traditional type of small forward. I'm looking for a Grant Hill type guy who can lead the break himself. Could any of you give a scouting report on DerMarr Johnson? I haven't watched him much..
DerMarr Johnson - G/F Cincinnati - DerMarr Johnson is still a freshman so it is possible he could choose to remain in school. However, if Johnson decides to go pro, his package of skills will intrigue many NBA teams. Johnson has had much success at the college level this season and will likely give strong consideration to the NBA Draft. Johnson's build is very similar to players like Lamar Odom and Tracy McGrady, a long, lean 6-9 player. Johnson's offensive skills are slightly different though. DerMarr Johnson is an athletic player with a very smooth outside shot. That package of skills is extremely difficult to find and to top it off, Johnson does a good job on defense and causes plenty of problems for the opposition with his long arms. Johnson already has a very complete offensive game as he can create his shot off the dribble, shoot the 3 and postup. Pure shooters usually have no problem filling it up on offense but get exposed at the defensive end of the floor (see Glen Rice). The fact that he is not a defensive liability is what is so intriguing about Johnson. Johnson has all the skills to succeed at the next level, but the main thing he lacks is bulk. He looks thin as a rail which will hurt him in the NBA. If he can bulk up some, Johnson should be a very special player at the next level. ------------------ The Mall Kid is Back! The best draft source yet, www.draftsource.net [This message has been edited by rocketsfan34 (edited March 06, 2000).]
Actually, leafy man, if you want a 6'7", 6'8" SF who can handle and pass, you might throw a prayer and hope Mike Miller comes out early. Handles very well. Can fill it up. Good natural passer. Makes some really wonderful passes to the cutter. Just has a real good basketball sense. Actually plays sound defense, which is a rarity for collegiates. Above average athleticism and good footwork. Dermarr Johnson's ball handling skills are not up to par to be a point forward. I'm not too sure if Terence Morris would even be that point forward type. He's probably most effective right now in or close to the paint on both ends of the court. But none of these guys will probably come out. But Mike Miller would be the guy who fits your criteria. Also, it is rather pointless in looking for a defensive stopper from someone coming out of college. It just doesn't really happen too often. And the guys that can play good defense usually don't have much else to their games. Good defensive skills are usually developed in the pros(More specifically perimeter oriented players).
Cabbage, Would you be happy with Kenny Thomas minus 20 (tops 25) lbs. and a little more muscle? He's no point forward, but he can put the ball on the floor (he's no superstar at it), bang the boards, post up, shoot turnarounds, or face up from the 3 pt. line and in. He might be our small forward answer if Falsone and Jenny Craig get an offseason itenerary together. We need to draft a 3. Or we could hit the free agent market. The thing is Mobley really wants to start. If that happens, Shandon will go to the three spot. Personally I like the 3 guard rotation that we've got going now. But if Mobley bolts or refuses to be the 6th man any longer, then we might need to focus a high pick on the 1-2 spots rather than the 3. Here's my line-up if Mobley stays: PG: Duh; Mobley; Drew (if we don't trade him) Sg: Shandon; Mobley (draft pick if Mobley leaves) SF: Kenny Thomas (see above); Williams OR Bullard; Free agent; rookie (depends on what's out there and what we can get) PF: Cato; DRAFT PICK (Fizer?); Kenny Thomas C: Cato; Dream (don't mean to beat a dead horse, but Dream is on his last leg and needs to come off the bench in order to help, rather than hinder us). Basically, Mobley could take away our ability to draft a point-forward if we have to replace him. If he leaves, put Kenny can help at three in a big way if we puts forth the effort in the off-season to do so. What do you think?
Rocketfan34: Thanks for the breakdown. With the tournament starting in a few weeks, I will have to pay close attention to this kid. Da Man: I don't follow College Ball too much, so I've never heard of Mike Miller. He sounds like a good guy to take a shot at. What college does he go to, and what year is he in? I would like to watch him play before I give a final judgement. Passer: That's interesting that you bring that up. That's another mold of small forward that I like as well. Kenny Thomas - 20lbs fits the Corliss Williamson mold. The muscular post threat who creates havoc in the paint for smaller opponents. I certainly think if Kenny could lose that baby fat and add muscle, he would be capable of playing the small forward. I would not hesitate to play him there either. Imagine an athletic frontline of Martin,Cato,Thomas! We would have a very similar starting lineup as the Kings, with the flashy point guards (JWilliams/Francis) the two Andersons, the big small forwards, and athletic power forwards. I really do think that if Walt had spent more time working on his conditioning, he could have been an All-Star in this league. He has above average ballhandling abilities, an incredible ability to hit tough shots in the lane, and he is also an excellent shooter. What hobbles him is his speed. He seems lethargic on the break, and his defense is nonexistent. If he had spent time working out, his increased speed would make him a much better penetrator/defender. Oh well.
