He spends a lot of time switching on the perimeter and getting over in the lane. He will most likely be a better defender than Giannis, as Chet is more of a team defender. Chet should be able to always remain on the court unlike Gobert in some match ups. Injuries and adding core strength are at the top of the Rockets need list.
You’re right, Bradley was the closest I could think of, but Shawn did have a stronger lower body if I recall. I’ve never seen a guy as thin framed as Chet move like that. It’s clear he has deceptive strength but it would be worthwhile to see how he handles some bully ball in the tournament. The NBA is a long season and his durability has to be a question mark over 82 games. Smith will likely be the consensus number one, with Holmgren and Ivey jockeying for 2/3… despite the Banchero smokescreen mentioned above For some reason the prospect of an Ivey/Green backcourt seems exciting as hell… with KPJ and JC running 2nd team. That would be fun basketball.
Bradley and Chet are so far even remotely being similar. Chet is extremely athletic and mobile. Perimeter defense is a plus for him, just so happens his help defense, paint defense and weak side defense is better. He is a legitimate DPOY candidate. With bare minimum one of the best shooting bigs in the game, upside is AD level offense.
Bradley was listed at 7’6 and 235 pounds his rookie year. Found a rookie video and a high school video of him just for comparison.
He even got in a “Hydrate” mention. @Os Trigonum Important to hydrate, even if you’re watching on your couch. Spoiler
Bradley put on most of his weight in college. In high school he was bony. Then for some reason, he went on a Mormon mission and started packing the pounds on.
Draft Jabari Smith and Kendall Brown or Adrian Griffin and Tari Eason. Either way the Rockets would have frontcourt prospects to team with their backcourt youngins. Both sets of guys are two way players who'd completely change the team's defense. I'd also look for center depth in the bottom of the first or second round. Tshiebwe, Badji, Kokomo, Diop or Nzosa are all guys who should provide more than just 6 fouls.
This would be funny 1 10 Chet Holmgren C | Gonzaga 7'0" 195 lbs Freshman 19.9 yrs 19.1 PTS 12.8 REB 2.4 AST 4.8 BLK 1.1 STL 2 2 Jabari Smith PF | Auburn 6'10" 210 lbs Freshman 18.8 yrs 21.6 PTS 8.8 REB 2.4 AST 1.3 BLK 1.5 STL 3 6 Paolo Banchero PF | Duke 6'10" 250 lbs Freshman 19.3 yrs 18.9 PTS 8.7 REB 3.5 AST 1.0 BLK 1.2 STL 4 8 Jaden Ivey SG | Purdue 6'4" 200 lbs Sophomore 20.1 yrs 20.1 PTS 5.6 REB 3.6 AST 0.7 BLK 1.1 STL 5 4 AJ Griffin SF | Duke 6'6" 222 lbs Freshman 18.6 yrs 16.1 PTS 5.9 REB 1.6 AST 0.8 BLK 0.9 STL 6 4 Shaedon Sharpe SG | Kentucky 6'6" 200 lbs Freshman 18.8 yrs 7 4 Keegan Murray PF | Iowa 6'8" 225 lbs Sophomore 21.6 yrs 26.7 PTS 9.8 REB 1.7 AST 2.2 BLK 1.5 STL
I think what you project here is Chet's floor .... He's a very good shooter already. He's a very good defender already - as a perimeter defender, a weak side shot blocker and a rim defender. The floor is set there. Now you have to factor in the rest of his skillset. There isn't another big in the draft who has the type of handles Chet does. Not even close. Great passer and decision maker too .... He can run the offense from the high post and get others wide open looks because of his gravity. As much credit as we give Sengun for being a high post creator, Chet's probably better .... There isn't a better shooting big in the country and with his length he can shoot over just about anyone. Fantastic in the pick and roll as the roll man .... and can run it as the ball handler too. The versatility - he can play 3-4-5. Kinda reminds me of Durant when you look at the whole package. The only real negative is he's light in the ass and I really don't see that as a negative - it affords him great mobility and is better for his long term health - feet / ankles / knee's that he isn't carrying around a bunch of extra weight. Think about how many big men have had their careers cut short with foot & knee injuries caused by their weight, from Bill Walton to Yao and who knows how many between them. This isn't the league we grew up watching where big men were pounding it in the paint possession after possession .... He doesn't need to bulk up.
It will be disappointed if we don't get top 3. 5th is the worst pick for us if we are the worst team.
Google translator says this means “oh my god what the **** is this” Makes me wonder if Banchero just hates the suggested theoretical lineup or doesn’t want to play for the Rockets at all lol
100% agree on drafting the BPA but that tweet is heavily leaning on revisionist history. There were a few more reasons as to why the Grizzlies traded Conley, namely Utah sorely needing a backcourt mate to pair with Mitchell that could play off ball and bring defense. The Grizzlies also got a huge haul for Conley so they just took that and ran without looking back. And if we really want to be technical about it the trade went down the day before the draft so Conley was long gone before Grizzlies selected Morant.
The Rockets selected the Best Scorer available last draft but not necessarily the most valuable player available.
Why? Even with the worst record in the league there is a 48% chance of ending up with the 5th pick. They shouldn't be talking up anyone until the draft order has been determined. If they end up with the #1 pick talking up anyone is pointless. If they end up with the #5 pick talking up prospects can be harmful.
