Here's mine. 1. John Wall 2. DeMarcus Cousins 3. Evan Turner 4. Derrick Favors 5. Wesley Johnson Personally I LOVE Cousins' potential, assuming Morey has totally filtered this guy and don't find any Kandi-man potential in him. I think if given the choice, I'd take him second behind Wall(and then move Brooks or Lowry to make room). All other players I feel would be more useful as draft-day trade bait for a current superstar. In the sense that they'd be more useful to someone else than us. 6. Donatas Motiejunas 7. Greg Monroe 8. Hassan Whiteside 9. Cole Aldrich 10. Patrick Patterson I listed these next because I think this is our one big lottery shot at a LEGIT big man. None of that undersized Dorsey/Landry stuff. And in case Hill looks more like a PF than a center. After all, with Yao likely coming back for one last season(if his injuries don't get better). We need an heir-apparent to start developing. If one of them is on the board, I would be content if the Rockets take him. I like Motiejunas the most. I know he's a Euro, but I feel that Adelman's a very good coach for European players, given the style of offense he runs. 11. Al-Farouq Aminu 12. Eric Bledsoe 13. Ekpe Udoh 14. Gani Lawal Players I'd begrudgingly accept for the Rockets to take. I know I passed on some wing players. But IMO we really don't need any of them. And if we do draft one, it's likely gone before the day's over. But if we do keep the pick, I think these players. Aminu almost for certain would not survive til our pick. But I like his wingspan and potential as a two-way player to complement Brooks/Martin. Bledsoe is the only PG worth mentioning after Wall. And I feel he could be our pick if we trade Brooks in the offseason. The rest are just project big men.
Posted in another thread but reflects my current stance: This draft is loaded with big men so unless we go after the BPA this would definitely be my recommendation. The reality of the situation is the center position is either going to make or break this team going forward. Right now, without Yao nor a suitable backup we're going to continue be exactly where we're at: undersized and underwhelming. Simply stated: I don't trust Yao's health (and neither should you). I can accept that our ceiling as potential contender hinges on his ability to stay healthy and at least sniff his pre-foot surgery levels of production, but I am willing to take that "risk" going forward and pray he stays he healthy enough in order to make that potential a reality. What I am NOT willing to do is roll into next season with our only alternatives at center being named Chuck Hayes, David Andersen or Jordan Hill. This draft presents the opportunity to draft a legit five that could inject some youth and upside into our otherwise under-the-rim and experienced yet aging frontcourt. That type of flexibility and contrast gives you a lot of options against the various looks teams throw at you. As for the draft itself, Morey seems to gravitate towards upper classmen. Now, whether there's an actual pattern involved here or that's simply sheer coincidence remains unknown. What I do know is the obvious: show me the ping pong balls first. The reality is with a little bit of luck (or hell, even if the lottery plays out according to actual records) we could end up drafting a solid player in the 10-14 range without even having to move up. Players like Monroe, Patterson, Udoh, Davis, Aldrich, etc. should all be available in that range. Then there's the wild cards like Whiteside, the international guys (who I admittedly know nothing about) and Alabi that help saturate the pool of talent even further. Granted, not all of those guys are legit fives but you get the idea. As stated, I'd recommend we take a big man -- preferably a legit five. I'd keep my eye on Cousins as sort of a best case scenario. Part of me thinks due to his motor issues and overall unpredictable persona that teams might have second thoughts about him thereby making a trade-up a possibility. If Cousins is out of the picture, I'd recommend next just taking Monroe outright or moving up a couple spots to take him. Monroe isn't the legit five that I covet but his skill level and overall package is borderline irresistible in a Rick Adelman type offense. If Cousins and Monroe are gone, then I would either go project (Whiteside, Alabi) or NBA ready (Aldrich).
Doesn't he have some buyout issues? If we draft a player, I want him to have a chance to develop under Yao/Scola immediately. Because our need at the position could become critical as soon as next season(if Yao doesn't pan out). Otherwise, yeah, I'd be okay with him. I generally agree with you, except for the bolded part. I think there's no need to wait for the ping pong balls for two reasons. One, the likelihood is slim to none. And two, if we do get top 3, our choice become VERY LIMITED. Draft Turner/Wall/Cousins, or trade the pick for a very high quality current player. In that sense, the situation becomes incredibly clear. It's only with later picks that the situation can get muddy. Also, Morey doesn't gravitate towards seniors. But rather the draft itself gravitate towards underclassman. With all the talk of Morey wanting to move up in last year's draft, you think he was targeting a senior? Of course not. He was going for a PG in the lottery range, which were all youngsters. He's "stuck" with drafting seniors because by the time crappy teams are done picking the best, Morey's only left with seniors no one care about.... because they have the dreaded no-upside stigma.
No need to wait, eh? What are you going to do in the meantime? Trade up before the draft lottery? I mean "show me the ping pong balls first" in the sense that we might be able to snag a key piece without having to sacrifice any assets to move up. I know we've stockpiled a ton of tradeable assets seemingly for this purpose, but if we get a pick in the 8-11 type range there's a chance you might not even need to move up given how relatively deep this draft is. That is, of course, unless you are swinging for the fences here (Wall, Turner, Cousins). In that case, you're going to have to fork over something significant in order to do that. As mentioned, I'm definitely open to this idea provided a big name slips (which usually happens in every draft). We obviously won't be getting Wall or Turner, but the idea of Cousins slipping a little on draft night is definitely a possibility, IMO. Not that this is really even worth debating given the overwhelming evidence, but it is fairly obvious that Morey gravitates towards upperclassmen and/or players that are the most NBA ready. Brooks, Landry, Dorsey, JT, Chase, Leunen....I mean, we're talking about pretty much every single player that he's ever drafted here. Donte Greene vs. six guys with one thing in common is quite the unconvincing argument. In any event, you are right that Morey seemingly has had his eyes focused higher (Rubio last year, Cousins this year). Now, whether that's typical GM talk of trying to allude to a bold/flashy move or actually of substance is what I am questioning. Whether there's a pattern or mere coincidence. In all reality, it's probably a little of both -- set your sights high and if your deal doesn't come through you make a "safe" pick instead AKA an NBA ready upperclassmen. It may not be his first choice but the correlation is undeniable. But I digress as I don't want to derail your thread here. Just figured it was prudent to point out that distinction. But I am with you that this is definitely the draft to target a young big man (preferably a legit five as I see Hill as a permanent four). Our frontcourt is too under-the-rim and aging for my taste. Hill's addition was a nice injection of youth, athleticism and upside but our situation at the five spot remains far too cloudy. [God forbid, BUT...] One Yao injury and we're back right where we are now with the five spot basically holding us back. In a draft lottery this loaded with big men you should be able to snag a starter caliber player or a guy that at least has starter potential. That would be my plan unless we elect to go BPA.
I like the idea of this depth chart but a good number of players on this list won't be available when we pick, barring a trade to move up. That being said I think Solomon Alabi from FSU would be a good pick. He's young and athletic but a good defender. Behind a healthy Yao (fingers crossed) he'd be able to develop/add muscle and learn some post-up moves that he'll need. Not sure if he's declaring for the draft yet or not though.
NBA draft picks from #25-#55(range where Morey's picks have been) the past 3 seasons when Morey drafted. Discount Leunen because he's not really a Upperclassmen: 58 Underclassman: 8 NBA Ratio 7.25:1 Morey Ratio 6:1 That's kind of the point of having a chart. And every team in the NBA has one. Obviously it includes players we'll never have a sniff at(unless we win the jackpot :grin. Because the point is just let you see who IS available when you pick. i.e. Because you are certain, for example, that John Wall and Evan Turner have zero chance of lasting to our pick, it also means that someone like Greg Monroe will fall down the draft as a result. And you just keep eliminating until your pick.
It's no secret that upperclassmen (particularly seniors) are scattered throughout the late first round and second round of the draft. The fact of the matter is his drafting history suggests a pattern -- whether intentional or not. The opportunity to take underclassmen was still there and he chose to go with older, more NBA ready players that he likely considered overlooked. Fortunately, we can put this theory to the test this summer as the draft lottery will give him a choice of just about any type of player that he wants. Maybe we'll have a better understanding then.
Which of the underclassmen did you want him to take? The opportunity to draft underclassman was limited to Marcus Williams, Josh McRoberts, or undrafted players. So if Morey drafted Williams or McRoberts, then he wouldn't be biased against underclassmen? Draft Position No freshman drafted after Brooks or Landry. 33 Marcus Williams(SF, Sophmore) 4.3 pts 1.5 rbs(2009-10 stats) 37 Josh McRoberts(PF, Sophmore) 4.3 pts 2.9 rbs Did you want Morey to draft these guys or other undrafted underclassmen? http://www.nbadraft.net/nba_draft_history/2007.html
Here's my rankings of prospects that are attainable in our pick range. 1. Hassan Whiteside 2. Donatas Motiejunas 3. Greg Monroe 4. Jan Vesely 5. Ekpe Udoh
There were underclassmen within in range of most of the positions he either drafted at or of picks that that we purchased from another team (see DeAndre Jordan, Blair, Mullens, Walter Sharpe, Williams, McRoberts...). Which brings me to another point -- the fact that the picks we purchased over the years all happen to involve upperclassmen with the exception of Llull. Hell, ALL of his draft picks with the exception of Llull (and Greene's short stint) illustrate two things: (1) He gravitates towards upperclassmen and (2) He shies away from the international guys. What you and meh are alluding to is that this is all merely coincidence brought on by draft pools saturated with upperclassmen (predominately seniors) that explains this obvious pattern. That very well could be the case. I'm just saying I'm excited to see how he handles a lottery pick given his choice of literally ANY type of player -- NBA ready vs. project, brains/intangibles vs. athleticism, one dimensional vs. two-way player, etc. He could take a younger guy, keep him and blow this pattern completely out of the water. Plus, we've all heard about how he's hardcore scouting international talent overseas. Yet another "trend" that could get torn to shreds this summer.
Your logic is incredibly flawed because it's self-contradictory. By your way of thinking, EVERY GM in the NBA gravitate towards upperclassmen. Because every GM in the NBA draft upperclassmen more than underclassmen in the late 1st round/early-mid 2nd round. Yet these same GMs also draft a lot more underclassmen in the top 15/top 20 of the very same drafts. What betterthanever and I are saying is that GM don't gravitate towards seniors. LATE DRAFT POSITION gravitate towards seniors. There's a difference. Because if all GMs draft underclassmen early and upperclassmen late, it doesn't mean they're all have bipolar disorders and act like chickens with their heads cut off.
We'll here's the list of the possible Under & Upper class men worth taking with our pick... and that could still possibly be there at our position Underclass men Hassan Whiteside (20yrs old) Jan Vesely(19 yrs old) Donatas Motiejunas(19yrs old ) Xavier Henry(19yrs old) Upperclassmen Cole Aldrich(21 yrs old) Ekpe Udoh(22yrs old) Patrick Patterson(20 yrs old) Personally I am leaning toward Motiejunas Strengths: the guy is a legit 7'0(w/out shoes) with ability to put the ball on the floor and create his own shot!!.. not to mention he has amazing footwork with great hands which means its just a matter a time until he develops a post game, with added strength he can get the off-season...also likes to mix it up inside, and has a very fast first step for big guy his size; combine that with his dribbling ability, and he can pretty much take any big he wants of the dribble...also shows a range all the way to NBA 3 Weakness: Ability to establish post position...Strength....ability to defend position in the next level(mostly due to strength purposes)....experience...ability to fight through screens...
Dude.... How is this complicated? All I did was comment on Morey's perceived drafting patterns. All it was is a SIMPLE OBSERVATION! One that I do not consider set-in-stone and one I am curious to see tested this summer. Where in the holy hell did I state that "EVERY GM" gravitates towards upperclassmen? I never said nor implied that. Let's make sure we understand what we're talking about before playing around with the hyperbole. If you want an award for pointing out the obvious, fine. I can do that too. Underclassmen don't just simply enter the draft on a whim! They do so because of the multitude of scouts and mock drafters that say "Player X will go in this range" and base their decisions on whether to stay or make the jump based off of that information. I think it's safe to say that USUALLY there's a good reason these underclassmen declare early then get drafted accordingly. Naturally, that's only going to push the pool of upperclassmen further down the draft boards. So yes, the draft does lend itself to the younger guys earlier on (which is natural) and the upperclassmen later in the draft. That still doesn't mean there aren't underclassmen that fall or declare regardless because there are. Granted, there aren't nearly as many but between those guys and the international guys the late first round and second round clearly isn't ALL seniors or upperclassmen. Moreover, when you're a GM like Morey with an owner willing to spend a few bucks to purchase a pick or two, you have the leverage to purchase draft picks ANYWHERE available. That means you can target an underclassmen, upperclassmen, international guy or whoever yet his drafting history still strongly favors a particular group -- and that's all I'm saying. Do I think it's Gospel? Absolutely not. I'm just curious to see it get tested because part of me does think he favors NBA readiness over potential. Something that's a bit of a debate among the armchair GM's.
You are talking illogically. You honestly wanted Morey to draft Marcus Williams and Josh McRoberts because they are underclassmen over Brooks and Landry. Brooks and Landry are 20pt/g players, but Marcus Williams and Josh McRoberts are 4pts/g players.
If the rocekts ended up with montiejunas from this draft I would be happy... <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/E37MBYJ-w7k&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/E37MBYJ-w7k&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> Gotta love that his favorite player is Scola... :grin: --RB
