Who would you draft with the 26th Pick if available

Battier has an offensive repetoire. He used it in Memphis a few years ago.

Anywho, Byars is like better Battier. While a good pick-up, we already have a Battier. We need speed & athleticism which other players on that list have more of than Byars. One thing this playoffs has shown is that no matter how much intangibles, IQ, etc you have, unless you have the hops, size, & speed to match you aren't going anywhere.

 

hmm...how do i explain this? i just dont think he's the answer as a 6th man scorer off the bench, we we desperately need. he'd be better served as a starter in place of battier. while he does have more athleticism and you saw some nice clips, i see him more of a 3rd scorer instead of a sparkplug type 6th man who comes in and provides instant offense.

you have to keep in mind, he's a rookie. a rookie wont start on this team. so what type of player do we need? someone who can come off the bench. i know this is a bit confusing, but we'd be a better team if almond was coming off the bench than byars. however, we'd be a better team if byars was starting instead of almond. was that a better explanation?

 

I agree with htownbball's views and to be more specific, yes the Rockets need an athletic PF, but they need a starter athletic PF and I dont think theyll find one in this year's draft. So I'll assume theyll pick one up in a trade or FA.

That leaves the draft for a 6th man/offense off the bench.

In that case, I'd have to go for Marco Belinelli....Pure SG, drives to the basket well. Has good rebounding which always helps, and can come off the bench for T-Mac and give you a solid offensive performance or you can always integrate him in a small ball fast lineup moving t-mac to the 3. He helps the team remain quite versatile. He also has good handles which can help and has good high-level experience from the Euroleague.

Did I mention the guy's also got MAD hops (he used to do tip-offs in Bologna)

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The way you talked about Byars...doesn't that sound familiar? "Does everything very well but nothing out of this world ... Defensively he is just average giving solid effort, but lacks the foot speed to be a lock down defender"- You aren't describing Battier out of college...you are describing Brandon Roy...and there is no way we pass on him twice...I agree Byar would play Battier's position...but that's not a reason not to get him...you pick the best player available at 26...Byar's has a good amount of offense...
-V

 

My take on this is,for a team that wants to win now and with win I mean the whole thing,I don't think it would be wise to play a rookie in PF or point position(starting that is) not in the west.

With that in mind and the fact that late in the first round I don't see anybody more complete and ready then Afflalo.

I have been studying him for the past two years and he is the type of player every championship team needs(heart,shot,clutch,defense,drive),sure he needs a little polishing but I would for sure take a chance on him,having said that it will all depend on what Rick wants and also what kind of trades we could work.

I would not want to see him in a Jazz or Spurs uni next year,he is exactly the kind of player they will look at and I am sure he will be on their short list of players for this draft.

One Extra Pick would be great.

 

Nick Fazekas is not as bad as everybody would think but he is pretty quick for 6'11" guy and can fill in on both C?PF position. Then again it's a project and who knows where is it heading.

 

Would it be possible to pick up Acie Law?

 

Battier was the NCAA player of the year in college. You think he got that by spotting up for threes and making a few hook shots? That is what he does as a fourth option on offense, because it just doesn't make sense to run plays for him when you have Yao and TMac.

 

I agree we need a Pg... if we are win now... on average...Pg's are going to adjust faster than a Pf's

my pick is

Jared Jordan....

they say he is the next Steve Nash... and boy do we need a Nash like player

 

jared jordan? at 26? some say he may go undrafted. cmon people we have to make the most of our pick and get the best value.

 

Marcus Williams

 

I figured this would be as good a place as any to report Chad Ford's latest update to his Mock Draft...

He currently has the Rockets taking Big Baby at #26. For a point of reference the last mock had him going the last pick of the first round, #30, so for some reason...despite deciding not to play in the Orlando Camp and reportedly regaining alot of weight in the offseason his stock has improved...

In his previous installment he had us taking Marco Belinelli...who has inexplicably fallen two spots to #28 for the Spurs.

 

hmm is none of the above an option? yeessh

 

I watched him play today on ESPNU NBA pre-draft workout. The boy can thread the needle with a pass and put it in the only place his guy can catch it and the defender can't. Made some amazing plays. Led the nation in assists two years running, but also averaged 17+ points himself. We could do worse than have a guy who can run the club and make an entry pass. He is not really undersized at 6'2" - 180 lbs, but could stand a few months in the weight room.

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=1094

 

Javaris Crittenton from Georgia Tech:
PG
Ht:6-5
Wt: 195

From NBADRAFT.NET:

NBA Comparison: Steve Francis
Strengths: Tremendous combination of size, athleticism and playmaking ability ... Quick first step ... Excellent vision and passing skills ... His size allows him to see over defenders and make passes that the average 6-2 PG could not ... Shows great heart, very competitive. Wont back down from a challenge ... Very quick, an elite level athlete ... Loves to dunk on players ... Excellent body strength ... Rhythm shooter, with good slashing and scoring ability ... His huge hands give him excellent control of the ball ... Very unselfish player ... Excellent foot speed, overall quickness and effort makes him a tough defensive player ... Works hard to improve his game, very coachable ... Has a great attitude, confident but not cocky ...

Weaknesses: Needs to improve upon his outside shot, which is solid but can improve ... Can be too unselfish at times trying to get everyone involved when he is the top scoring option ... Can be too aggressive defensively and get caught reaching, picking up unnecessary fouls ... Needs to prove himself on the college level. Become a great decision maker and learn to lead a team on the next level ...His ability to play the point guard position is very good, but he can continue to improve upon dictating tempo and learning the nuances of the position ...

 

-- won't be around at #26.

However, Petteri Koponen PG; 19; 6'5"; 194 lb might be -- if you are strictly thinking PGs.

 

It seems like his offense is a bit underrated. I don't see how he couldn't be a solid scorer with his skill, size, and IQ. But there is a reason he is project late 1st/early 2nd which is crazy to me. I think he will put points on the board pretty well in the NBA. It seems like players with solid all around skills are sticking in this league better than others that may only excel at one or two skills. It may even be as simple as ball handling why a player doesn't stick in the NBA even though they excel at everything else. I think Stuckey is the most talented player in this poll and I don't see us getting anywhere near him cause he will go in the Top 20. If he's there you have to take him believe me, we would be lucky if that happened. I would be really glad if Jason Smith slides. With his skill set, length(7'0"), jumpshot, ability to take it to the rack from a face up post. It seems like he could become a much better version of Troy Murphy if continues to work hard and doesn't get too bulked up like Murphy did.

 

Although he's got some nice skills you can't expect a guy like him to play major minutes in the NBA. That is why he will be hopefully a mid 2nd rounder since he will most likely be a backup or maybe even a 3rd point on some teams. I know everyone is rooting for him, you don't draft a player with a high pick if his ceiling is a 15 min. backup at least in this draft.