Look, everyone who says that we don't need to draft Hibbert because we already have Deke brings up a good point. But what about the year after? Loren Wood is going to get cut during camp. We'll probably even bring back Gerald Green (hmmm be nice wouldn't it?) or make a move to fill that 2/3 backup we've desperately been looking for. We should just draft Hibbert because not IF but WHEN deke does retire, we'll have someone who can contribute IMMEDIATELY with his 12MPG to back up yao. Just cause we draft Hibbert now doesn't mean we won't use him in his sophomore year and etc. And he loves deke. <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uXqVThYIbDU&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uXqVThYIbDU&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
CDR or Brandon Rush. ....Or best player available of course everything might change once workouts start.
I feel the same way. Even with Deke, we still need another big man in there in case anybody gets hurt. Besides, Hibbert can bring much more offense than Deke. He has a real soft shooting touch. Roy could be "our Brad Miller" in the offense, 7 footer that can hit the midrange jumper. I think hes the perfect backup for Yao and a must pick if he is available at our spot.
If you consider that anyone we draft internationally would be a prospect and that Morey is probably more apt to draft international players than most save the Spurs, I wouldn't mind drafting a project of any sort. That includes one-and-done-ers Bill Walker and JJ Hickson. Hickson has an incredible ceiling, but we'd have to wait for him, which is good because we have no needs yet at PF. That's the thing about the Spurs, if you think about it. They draft ahead of the game: their draft picks disappear for a couple years and then make a pretty sizeable impact, but because they started the process almost a decade ago, they don't feel like they're drafting people that will make no contribution in years 1-2. Last year they drafted Tiago Splitter and called up Ian Mahinmi. Soon they will call up Splitter and draft another Euro to act as a prospect with a high ceiling. Morey is trying to do this with Newley as a start, but we may have to endure a year or two of drafting players that make no contribution in their first years. No matter what Morey does, I'll place my trust in him that it's the right decision. He's earned it.
Here's my proposal/hope/theory: Seattle Times - May 21, 2008 Sonics Thinking About Moving the 4th Pick? http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ht...038_soni21.html The Seattle Supersonics are already a very young team. They may want to trade the pick for a veteran to help Kevin Durant to develop and generally help the team. The playoffs this year have been filled with spectacular point guard play. It is believed that a great, young point guard is the way to build teams in today's league. As evidenced by Derrick Rose likely becoming the #1 pick in this year's draft over the 6'9 PF Michael Beasley. Beasley is a scoring phenom as well as a rebounding monster. He had averages of 26 pts 12 rbs as a PF. How does a point guard that had averages of 15 pts 5 asts 5 rebs go over a BIG with mind-boggling averages? They say the league is gravitating towards great point guards. The Houston Rockets have one glaring weakness compared to other championship caliber teams in the West. They are weak at the PG position. My proposal is any combination of Shane Battier and picks for Seattle's 4th pick. Only, and I mean ONLY, if O.J. Mayo is still on the board. I know Mayo's stock has fallen since the controversy surrounding the sports agency, but we can use this to our advantage to get a guy that could definitely be a star in the league at the PG position. Believe me, I know what Shane has brought to the team. However, read the scouting report on O.J. Mayo and tell me this isn't what we need for the Rockets: Averages: 21 pts 5 rebs 4 asts per game: Strengths: Extremely talented lead guard who routinely makes highlight plays … Possesses great all around skills … A fierce competitor. Plays the game with a tremendous amount of confidence, desire and intensity … The game comes very easily to him. His feel for the game is advanced for a high school level player … Strong one on one player with creative drives to the basket … Has legitimate lead guard skills, with a yo yo handle, and solid passing ability … Has the go-to scoring ability to take over late in games … Plays a very physical style and loves to take the ball to the hole … Very strong physically, able to overpower most point guards … Prone to big scoring outbursts … A strong defender who can become a lock down type of defender with his great reflexes and foot speed … Shoots well from outside, setting up his dribble drive … His first step off the dribble is off the charts … http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/ojmayo.html O.J. Mayo could be our point of the foreseeable future. Great shooter, can take the ball to the rim, great defender, plays with energy and confidence? Sounds like a complete player and he'd only be our third scorer, along with being our playmaker when McGrady is out of the game. He's big for the point position. He can also play the off-guard position if needed. We would definitely have to sign another player at the SF/SG position when Battier is traded. Guys, if the Sonics were willing to do that deal, do you think it is a deal the Rockets should pursue?
I say yes, but look who the Sonics have playing PG: Earl Watson and Luke Ridenour-- nice players but players that put them in the same situation that the Rockets are in. Wouldn't adding a great PG themselves make them a better team faster than adding a stable vet like Battier?
We only need to consider athletic wing players in the 6'7 - 6'9 categories. For example, CDR, Rush, Gist, Roby, anyone who can shoot the rock and/or athletic. We have maybe 3 people on the team that can dunk and rebound in traffic (Tmac, Landry, and Yao). We have way too many 6'3 and under players and little PF dudes like Mike Harris and Chuck playing PF. Hibbert is a stiff and I don't care if he like Deke. Did anyone see him disappear in the NCAA tournament.
Hmmmm. If anyone could see him, how could he disappear? Apologies, BnD, this was just too good to pass up.
He got into foul trouble.. he didn't disappear on his own. If I recall correctly a couple of his fouls were questionable calls too. He was fairly solid in the tournament his junior year averaged 15pts 9rbs in the tournament. Which was when he wasn't the focus of the other teams defense. In a back up role to Yao he would be just fine. Plus we give him time to develop with Deke. Hibbert isn't going to be an all star, or even a starter, but he will be a solid backup. Plus, he can play some semblance of defense and block the ball when someone comes to the hoop.
I think this is well thought out but there's no way I can see this happening with only two guaranteed tmac/yao seasons left. the rockets can't really trade away part of their core for a rookie and expect to convince the fans that they are shooting for a championship, can they? i know i wouldn't really believe it. I think doing this is a significant step backwards for the coming couple of years, and by that time, the tmac/yao era might be over anyway and we'll have lots of lottery picks to work with. heh.
Yeah, definitely noticed their point guard situation, but most of this is predicated on two things: first, the impression I got from reading the article from the Seattle Times is that the Sonics are disappointed they were unable to get one of the first two picks and view getting a veteran as more valuable to their team instead of drafting another young player onto their already very young team. The second fact is that the Seattle times article mentions that the Sonics have the #24 selection in this year's draft along with four picks in the second round. Add to that they have 2 more first round picks in next year's draft. Their team is already one of the, if not THE, youngest teams in the league. Here are a few quotes from the article: "A Western Conference executive said Tuesday a handful of teams are interested in moving up in the draft to select Mayo and would likely call Presti inquiring about a trade." "Since Presti arrived last year, the team has placed a high emphasis on rebuilding with high-character, low-maintenance players." Does high character, low maintenance sound familiar? The trade sounds possible and plausible to me, but of course, we would be losing a great player in Battier. However, what we would be gaining in drafting Mayo would outweigh what we would lose. Still down on the trade?
I saw Mayo play quite a bit at USC this year and he just isn't a point guard. Atleast not in the truest sense of the word. If he reaches his full potential, I see him like Gilbert Arenas. But Arenas worked his ass off his entire career to get to this point. I am not sure how a player like Mayo who has had smoke blown up his ass his entire life will end up. Perhaps like Sebastian Telfair who was almost in the same boat. Either way, I am not sure Mayo would be the best fit here.
Yeah, anyone who has watched him play knows that he isn't a pure point guard, but he does have great passing skills. He is a scoring guard with size. I think more along the lines of Chauncey Billups. Can shoot/spot-up, drive past with a quick first step, or use his body to back you down, and play great D. Sebastian Telfair came straight from high school and was not on the same talent level when he was drafted and you know that. Hence, why he was drafted 13th and not top 5 where Mayo will go. Mayo is 6'4 versus Telfair being 6'0 and weighing less etc. The differences are apparent and that is not an accurate comparison at all. Am I absolutely certain that Mayo will be an undeniably great fit here? No. Do I believe he will fit very well here. Do I believe that you have to take chances on great talent when you have the opportunity? Absolutely.
