Of the players you mentioned, only Dalembert was drafted recently. And I'm not sure Cliff Robinson is a PF(unless you're not talking about the C. Robinson that has been with the Blazers for many years). As for Thomas or Fortson, they're hardly upgrades over Juwon Howard. Fortson can rebound, but can't spread the floor for Yao. Kenny Thomas was traded for a swingman, the type of player that's much more plentiful in the lower half of the 1st round. So that doesn't speak much for his value. I think it might've been easier to find solid contributing big men back when players don't come out early. But now even in the lottery, bigs are picked based more on potential than anything else. This is not a solid list of PF prospects. But rather a list of nice college players. There are lots of them that come out every year, only to prove that they can't do anything in the NBA. Remember Reece Gaines? Incredible talent, did everything in college, can't get off the bench in the NBA.
He shot 55% from the field the entire season by being the only consistent interior scorer for Kansas last year.
People have Garcia listed as a shooting guard, he is 6'7" which is pretty big for a SG. But I would love to pick Garcia up if we can sign a good PF. He is the best shooter in the draft and has good size. I would say our biggest weaknesses right now is a PF, not having another playmaker, and some young legs. Barry, Wesley, Sura, James are very similar players. They are all SGs in PG bodies, and they are all streaky shooters. We need to add some variety to our team.
I simien as a realistic option if he falls...he does have big time vertical--does get injured in college and might be worse in the pros. he is relentless though...at 24, it is really a gamble anyway....this team is not going to miss the playoffs if we go wrong here imho...so take some risk here and grab him or Hakim at 24..... -I see wesley, sura and howard coming off the bench next year...along with berry...can you see them up against other benches....I can -I see us bringing in a 4, either draft or FA, though if draft, howard will start. if FA, howard will come off the bench -I will us picking up a 1 and 2....though do not discount the greek kid. Next year's lineup: I see changes at either the 1,2 or 1 and 4...with some depth added... PG - FA, Sura and Greek Kid (this kid might see some time..he is a true guard who is a blend of parker (with the quicks), but the floor vision of ginobli and dare I say, some Nash in him. SG - FA, Wesley SF - TMAC, Draftee, Bowen, Padgett...whomever.. PF - FA (donyell marshall, I think they like Swift), Howard, Draftee... C - Ming and Dikembe (dikembe will get some bonafied offers to start, but he is not a starter minutes guy at this point, he does not need the money and is loyal to the rockets because of les' charity backing, among other things and wants to be a champion)
Meh, I watched watched most of them play quite a lot. Of those who might be available I think Simien, Warrick or Diagu (assuming they all measure 6'7" or above and not stubby arms) could help immeditely. (I am less high on Turiaf to tell you the turth, I was very high on him a couple of year ago but he seems less athletic last time I saw him and not as dominant/developed as I expected.) I think it is an excellent draft for bigs. A higher than normal amount of legit senior prospects and early entries/international players/hschlrs concerned about draftee rule changes. We don't need to find someone that would displace JH right away. A back-up who is better than Padget/Bowen/Spoon and who would develop into a servicable starter or excellent back up is all you can hope for (e.g.,Kenny Thomas). That is all you hope for from any mid 20s draft pick, be it a SF, PF, SG, though sometimes there are big surprises. I do agree you never skip over a more talented player for need, but it would not suprise me at all if Diago, Warrick, Simion or another PF is the best player at 24, or at least equal to the alternatives (SF/SG/PG) and thus selected.
Desert Scar: Looks like we're looking for different things here from the pick. I suggested shying away from big men because I felt the Rockets should go for a player who can make a big impact. Not token-backup-PF upside, but rather someone who can truly make a difference within a year or two. Can Simien truly make a difference when we play Dallas, Phoenix, or SA next year? I strongly doubt it. Duncan, Marion, and Dirk all can waste him easily. But a swingman who's an athletic perimeter defender can help a lot. By freeing up T-Mac on some defensive duties. By help preventing Yao from coming over to help. Among other things.
DD, Ya know, part of me still wishes we had Kenny Thomas. Simien should be better than he was, and KT is a legit 12-14 and 8 player when he starts. -P1st, S2nd
This past season, Garcia also brought the ball up the court a large part of the time. You could get away with him at the point. Same with Hodge, who has that point forward mentality. Hodge and Garcia come from the same mold of college wings thriving in the NBA right now--Rip Hamilton, Ben Gordon, etc. They played for winning programs and know how to do the little things to win. Same thing goes for the PF's. Guys like Elton Brand have shown that there are still college bigs that can have an impact on the NBA. The important thing is most of the guys mentioned are WINNERS. May and Warrick have titles, Simien's got a couple of Final Fours. Turiaf played on a winning program (although I'm just not as sold on him). I'd take one of these proven winners before a Kwame Brown. This draft is just chalk full of college players who know how to win. I say it's worth it to send next year's first to grab a second guy in this draft late first (and maybe even early second) this year if one of these guys falls.
I like Joey Graham from OK St, but not sure he'll still be on the board at 24. Garcia would be nice as well (I see him being like Tayshon Prince for some reason). But, I think we need to take a gamble on a PF in the draft, as well as trying to sign a FA (Swift, Marshall, Chandler, Evans). Then we can move Howard+Sura OR Wesley in a deal for a swingman. Trading for a 2nd pick in the draft would be nice too.
With all the talent in this years draft there is no reason that the Rockets shouldnt get a stud witht the 24th pick. Maybe its Simien, maybe its Warrick, maybe Graham, Garcia.....ETC! Also, I cant wait until FA signing period begins!
im a long time KU basketball fan and have seen semien play a lot. hes a very good freethrow shooter, not a good shotblocker but keeps his man away from the hoop cause of his strength, but the best thing about him is his rebounding, he is legit in that department (he will grab plenty of rebounds at the next level) he also has a very good jump shot and very good post moves. if the rockets can get simien at 24 it be a steal. if he was 6'10 instead of 6'8 he would be top 5 in this years draft, if he would have came out last year many mock drafts had him in the lottery. my only real concern about him is his health because he has been injury prone all 4 years at kansas which is why i think his stock has droped, he is defintly the carlos boozer of this draft i think in a year many teams will wounder why they didnt draft this guy.
I really dont know what people see in Garcia that makes him so great. Hes rail thin but does have range on his shot. As for him being a PG LOL i dont think so. He doesnt have the handles or vision to be a PG in the pros. Hodge will be a second rounder because even though he is very skilled, to be the type of player that he was in college will require VAST improvement to play the same way in the pros. He'll have to get a little stronger, a little faster, better vision, better vertical, etc. Things he CAN improve but it will be hard. I like Simien and his game. He can score in the post, get rebounds and hopefully become a good weakside defender. I think its either him or Warrick or us. If both are gone itll be best available player (Graham, Winston, Garcia).
How do you get better vision and a better vertical? Those are the things that can't be taught. One is an intangible and the other one is just how you were born (athleticism). I want to get a better vertical. How can I do that?
Im sure if an NBA player needs to increase his vertical the trainers have ways and excersizes he can do to do that. But since you want to increase your vert heres how http://www.lifestylesport.com/jump_soles.htm
I have heard about a magical vertical enhancing exercise that they have in the NBA. College players do not train, they sit around doing nothing
Are you being a moron on purpose or that really what you are like? You dont think there is any way to increase ones vertical?? For real?? And when did I say that college players sit around doing nothing. Hodge's vertical and strength were sufficient for the collegiate game but not for the NBA. He will work on these things now and even when he gets to the NBA. I dont think hes reached his max in terms of vert or strgth.
all i can say to anyone who sits there and says no to wayne simien if he falls that far is remember carlos boozer? they have been similar in many aspects of their college careers and i would not blink to pick the guy. yes he is undersized but thats why boozer fell to the second round right. lets not decide on a player with hype lets decide on a players substance.
