They have some stuff on the Rockets. Here is everything from this issue on the Rockets: TSN's NBA Power Poll 2002-03 1. Sacramento 2. L.A. Lakers 3. Dallas 4. San Antonio 5. New Jersey 6. Minnesota 7. Detroit 8. New Orleans 9. Boston 10. Portland 11. Philadelphia 12. L.A. Clippers 13. Seattle 14. Houston: Staying healthy and using the No. 1 pick wisely are top issues. 15. Orlando 16. Toronto 17. Milwaukee 18. Indiana 19. Miami 20. Utah 21. Atlanta 22. Washington 23. Chicago 24. Cleveland 25. Memphis 26. Golden State 27. New York 28. Phoenix 29. Denver Sean Deveney's projected draft 1. Houston- Yao Ming- The Rockets have cleared the path to choose Yao. But will they keep the pick? 2. Chicago- Jay Williams 3. Golden State- Drew Gooden 4. Memphis- Mike Dunleavy 5. Denver- Nikoloz Tskitishvili 6. Cleveland- Chris Wilcox 7. New York- Dajuan Wagner 8. L.A. Clippers- Caron Butler 9. Phoenix- Maybyner "Nene" Hilario 10. Miami- Qyntel Woods 11. Washington- Jared Jeffries 12. L.A. Clippers- Curtis Borchardt 13. Milwaukee- Marcus Haislip 14. Indiana- Kareem Rush 15. Houston- Amare Stoudemire 16. Philadelphia- Melvin Ely 17. New Orleans- Jiri Welsch 18. Orlando- Frank Williams 19. Utah- Bostjan Nachbar 20. Toronto- Dan Dickau 21. Portland- Dan Gradzuric 22. Phoenix- Chris Jeffries 23. Detroit- Boris Diaw-Riffiod 24. New Jersey- Frederick Jones 25. Denver- Jaosn Jennings 26. San Antonio- Carlos Boozer 27. L.a. Lakers- Tayshuan Prince 28. Sacremento- David Andersen Deep Impact: 1. Will there be draft-day trades? The Rockets have the No. 1 pick and have paved the way to draft Chinese center Yao Ming, but the team will listen to trade offers up to the instant it is on the clock. Should the pick be traded- the Warriors and Clippers are possibilities- Duke point guard Jay Williams will become No. 1. 4. What teams are facing a critical draft? Obviously the Rockets, holding the No. 1 pick (and No. 15), will be torn between taking Yao and trading the top pick. Tough choice. Houston expects to be a playoff team next year, and that quest starts with the Yao decision. Inside Dish The Rockets' successful talks with representatives of the Chinese Basketball Association, the Chinese government and C Yao Ming clear the way for Houston to grab Yao with the first pick in the draft. The situation reminds Pistons international scouting director Tony Ronzone of North Korean prospect Ri Myong Hyun, nicknamed Michael Ri, who spent eight months training in Canada before being denied entrance into the U.S. as part of the government's political chess game with North Korea in 1998. "He did not have Yao Ming's skills," says Ronzone. "But he was 7-9, and in a limited time, he showed so much improvement. It would have been interesting." I just thought that you guys/gals would be interested in reading some of this stuff, nothing that we already didn't know, but it's interesting hearing the Sporting News' persepective on the draft.
When will people stop discounting the Jazz. I hate the Jazz, you hate the Jazz, everyone hates the Jazz. Playoff team next year - who knows, but 20th worse team? And why does he think Phoenix will do sooo bad. They have some talent at least.
From ESPN Insider Jun. 21 - The official Xinhua news agency said today that Yao Ming will not travel to New York for the draft, but that it would not prevent him becoming the top pick for the Rockets. According to a Reuters story, a source close to Yao and the NBA called the announcement a "bad sign" of the obstacles still blocking the 22 year old's move to the United States. "The situation's real messy right now," said the source, who asked not to be named. All kinds of things can be read into this, but it isn't as dire as it appears at first glance. Yao will stay in China preparing for the World Championships. The Xinhau report did mention that Yao will stay in China through October to participate in the Asian Games. The major obstacle for Yao is a buyout with the Shanghai Sharks. According to the report, they are seeking a payout in the range of $15-20 million. Yao is looking for something in the $3 million range. That's a pretty wide gulf and there isn't much the Rockets can do about it at this point. They can only contribute $350,000 to any buyout.
i guess he doesnt think we will make the playoffs. he has us 9th in the west. imo, i think we will be better than seattle, and portland. maybe the clipps too, based on if they get a point guard or if they just get rid of odom and maggety to avoid large contracs.
MyTek, there just was an article on him go to http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/1465758
I agree smoothie. As long as the Rockets stay healthy I seem them as a #6 or #7 seed in the playoffs. Dallas, LA Lakers, San Antonio and Sacramento are clearly the class of the league when it comes to play a high level of basketball through the year, and Minnesota has a big question mark. I think that the Rockets are a more talented team then Minnesota, and the T-Wolves may lose Wally. All I want from Yao Ming is a good defense, particularly shot-blocking, and rebounding, and garbage points. If he does that and Griffin improves, and Mo is healthy look out!
