This thread is not about who is the best fit for the Rockets or who we should take if we have the #1 pick. Its about the safest bet. Which guy in this draft can you say for sure is going to be getting a minimum of 15-20 min/per game for the 10-15 years. I have looked the list over and even though I don't care much for his game/personality, I have to go with Adam Morrison. Of all the guys in this draft I think he is the most likely to be productive no matter where he goes or what kind of system he plays in.
I'd probably say roy as well. He's very polished right now and it's hard for me to see him not being a consummate pro and quality nba player.
It's Adam Morrison and Sheldon Williams. These two guys might never be NBA all first team (Morrison Might) but they both will have long and succesfull careers.
I totally agree with Shelden Williams being one of the most ready. I think he is the most underrated player in this draft and should be a double-double guy in this league and a lock-down defender at PF if he ever gets the minutes. He will also add 2+ blocks a game. His athleticism is underrated as well as his size. I hate when people say he is undersized at the PF. He has a strong NBA ready body and he is at least 6'9" with a wing span near 7'0". That is very normal for a NBA PF. I think his offense is also much better than people give him credit for. If he is not a top 10 pick I will be shocked.
Sheldon Williams would be my second safest pick for all the reasons listed by jakedasnake. He is big enough, strong enough, and has the mental and physical toughness it takes to play in the NBA, as well as a good work ethic. I know there are a lot of Brandon Roy fans around here I unfortunately haven't ever seen him play but if so many think he is NBA ready then I may jump on his bandwagon for our 1st pick. I would certainly be perfectly happy if we pick Williams though. I also think that Morrison would be a good pick for us even though it wouldn't be very popular. It's not going to happen anyway.
The most UNSAFE pick is Adam Morrison. No athletecism, speed, strength. His jump shot is fair. Biggest concern was that he played in a weak conference. Will struggle to get his shot off in the NBA. I agree that Sheldon Williams and B. Roy are probably the most ready. I think Marcus Williams is ready, too.
When you think about it, both of the Duke guys are safe picks...... With Shelden, you know you are going to get a glass eating, close-to-the-basket, defensive minded PF who will succeed by rebounding, blocking shots, playing great post defense and surprising everybody with his strength and underrated offensive game. He will never be a star but there's absolutely nothing wrong with having a solid PF that can get you a double-double and block a few shots every contest. Redick on the other hand, is pretty much a safe pick as well. Any GM would be out of their mind by drafting him with the intention of turning him into a starter. He will forever be a three point specialist to bring off of the bench. Expecting him to be anything more than that is unrealistic. Just because he wont become the next Michael Redd doesn't mean there's teams that can't use him though. If you need that gutsy player who can stroke it from anywhere on the court, in a limited role, then Redick is a player that can help you. NOTE: I'm not evaluating McRoberts simply because I feel he goes back to school.
I think history has shown that there is no such thing as a safe pick from Duke. But I agree with your evaluations of Shelden and JJ. Personally, I think it's between Roy and Shelden.
Haha very true about Duke players being so hit-or-miss in the pro's. I agree about it being between Roy and Shelden. Personally, I hate Duke but I really think Shelden could be what we need at PF. Sure, our precarious situation at SG deserves the most attention but its hard to pass on a defensive minded, double-double kind of PF that embodies consistency, team basketball and dominance in the paint. If we drafted Shelden I really see no reason why he realistically couldn't start over Howard and Swift. That being said, as I have mentioned in other threads, I don't believe Swift will be a Rocket next season so I cannot cancel out this possibility of drafting a PF when we have stronger needs elsewhere.
I think Brandon Roy, Shelden Williams and Marcus Williams are safe picks. And, actually I'm glad that we're not in the top 5, thinking who to pick in the top 5 in this weak draft would be a very difficult job and there's no guarrantees that the players picked in the top 5 would be better than players picked at 6-10... I think we're in a very good position to get a player that we really wanted...
I never really looked at Reddick as a safe pick. But I can see the point that with Reddick you know exactly what your getting. Baller4life's point about not picking in the top 5 is a good one. Not having the pressure to pick the best player in the draft allows you some breathing room to just pick a player that can contribute and improves your team. I see the 2 players that may be available when we pick that can do those things being Roy and Williams and moreso Williams. I know that we need shooting but with the play of Head at the 2 and the feeling around here about Vspan it seems that 2G is not as big a hole as our bigs are. Guards: It's not the best group but its really not a bigger hole than the bigs Alston Head Bogan Wesley ?Vspan ?Sura Fram Brunson SF: This is really where we need help but there really isn't any in this draft. TMac Bowen Bigs: This is a weak group, kinda sad really. Yao Dike - posibly retiring definitely done Howard - best player after Yao (sad) Swift - Will never get it (sad) Hayes - 4" from being and all-star Lampe - ? We need help underneath and we need some youth underneath Sheldon Williams can produce and should be available.
Duke players are cursed. I see another J.Williams/Boozer/Grant Hill accident or injury. Elton Brand and Shane Battie have done well though.
Brandon Roy . He does enough well to at least always be the first guard off the bench. The knock on him is can he become a star. and i do also think he is the best fit in this draft for the rockets.
not to mention that morrison has diabeties and that is going to affect him on a regular basis. will he be able to stay up to a 82 game season and 20 plus playoff games plus preseason?
I'm not saying he is the safest pick (he isn't)...but doesn't Foye remind ya'll of Francis coming out of college?
