at least that's what I heard on SportsTalk this afternoon. I still think he'd be a good pick for the Rockets if they don't win the lottery and end up with the fifth or sixth pick. He could be a good backup his first year at both frontcourt positions, and despite what a lot of people think, I believe he could eventually be successful starter for the Rockets at the center position. I'd much rather have an athletic big man who can run the court than potential stick-in-the-muds like Marcus and Borchardt. I don't care if he's not as tall or not as fat as some of the other centers in the league, when he jumps he can proably outreach 'em by half a foot. So here's my breakdown. 1.) If they get a top three pick, I would only use it if they could get Ming (only if the hype comes close to his actual ability). 2.) If they can't get Ming with a top three pick, then they should definitely trade it. 3.) If the Rockets don't get in the top three, I think they should still look to trade the pick. 4.) If they can't get a good trade with the fifth or sixth pick, I hope they get Wilcox.
There's only 1 Shaq and he'll be gone in 2-3 years. A guy like Wilcox or Griffin could be the new prototype! Shaq is a freak of nature.
OH WELL! If the report is true, I wish him luck. I really would've liked to have seen him stay in school. He could really use another season of experience, especially as the main low-post option. But, like Jeffries, 'strike while the iron is hot.' He should definitely be a lotto pick.
It will be a couple years before wilcox will do ANYTHING in the nba. He has a great nba size and is a freak of an athlete, but he is raw, raw, raw as a basketball player
If Ben Wallace is a succesful center, I think Wilcox has the potential as well. Also, the Rockets aren't supposed to let Maryland alums go to other teams even if they are drafted in the low second round and we have to trade a first round pick to get him. We can use Toronto's pick on Melvin Ely who will be way better than Collier. We should be able to get by with Cato and Ely at center because there are very few teams with 20+ ppg centers. Actually, only Shaq and Zo can average 20+ ppg and 10+ boards. Good centers are an endangered species, so we should focus on the other 4 spots in the lineup. I think Wilcox could be a 15 ppg and 10 rebound per game PF, so with our guard positions already filled, we should use KT and MoT for a good SF.
Well... Ben Wallace is 10X's stronger than Wilcox is. Wallace is only able to play center because he can hold his own inside.
Just to clarify. Wilcox is scheduled to meet with Gary Williams today to discuss the situation. His mother has said he hasn't made a decision, but a source close to the situation says, "if he is a lottery pick, then he is gone. I'm 100% certain." So, it all sounds pretty iffy to me. I think we'll know for sure by Friday.
How many defensive specialists go lotto? Wilcox may not go lotto this year. When he develops a better low block O game, he will become a lotto lock.
I can see Wilcox as the kind of player that really impresses in the pre-draft camps and significantly raises his stock before the draft. Similar to Steven Hunter last season. Also, I have not been able to find anywhere on the net an article that indicates Wilcox decided to declare. Has anyone else seen one of these yet?
If we are going to go for a project, draft Amare Stoudemire. He's just as big, even more athletic and has the same raw offensive game.
Despite his great defense in the tournament, Wilcox was not really a defensive specialist throughout the season. In fact, he was prone to concentration lapses. He was great at running the floor and finishing. While it's true that his game is still very raw, he showed the makings of a real good low post scorer. I don't think anyone doubts he will be a great player, and I think there is no doubt that he'd be a lottery pick this year, maybe even top 5, depending on who else is leaving early.
It was the Baltimore-Sun Newspaper that came out with it. I don't feel like registering to access their archives, but there's a summary of the article at www.baltimoresun.com Summary: <b>Wilcox exit is seen as slam-dunk </b> <i>University of Maryland sophomore power forward Chris Wilcox is expected to meet with Terps head coach Gary Williams shortly to make known his intentions to leave school early and enter the NBA draft, according to sources familiar with the situation. </i> But the very next day the Washington Post came out with an article where his Mom says he hasn't decided yet. So, it doesn't sound like it's for certain quite yet.
Wilcox is not nearly as strong or as fierce or tough as Wallace. I see very little center potential in Wilcox. His strength is using his athleticism, not his bulk (which he has room to improve). I think Wilcox has the ability to be an Antonio McDyess type, which is certainly a good thing, but not of any need to the Rockets-he can't play SF, or C, and right now, we more or less have 3 starting caliber PFs, 2 of which are signed 4 years+. IMO, Wilcox's talent/potential is not so overwhelming that you take him no matter what at #5. At #14, a player of his caliber is a shoo-in, but he shouldn't last till then. If you're going on pure athleticism for a big man, is he that much more athletic than say Marcus Haislip? Does his stock benefit from playing for the champion Terrapins? I'm getting excited about the top 15 in this draft, in which we'll have 2 picks.
Your taking the one in a million guy in Walace, and saying well, if he can do it everyone can! By that logic, since I'm about as big as Don Mattingly, I could hit 40 hr's for the Yankees, if those bastards would just give me the chance!
The latest is that Wilcox talked with Gary Williams yesterday, and it doesn't sound like he's going to rush his decision. So, he might wait until the deadline to declare, which is May 12. No need to fear just yet Terps fans.
He's also 27 and has been in the league 6 years. It took him time to develop, just like it will for Wilcox. Or Jeffries. Or whoever. If you're going to be a lottery pick, you might as well go. You might as well get paid while you're developing your game. Remember, lotto picks will get three year contracts.
