[RGM Article] Houston Draft Preview

[TMU]

AUTHOR: JASON M. WILLIAMS

2007-2008 Finish: 55-27
2008 Draft Picks: 25th, 54th

Greatest Areas of Improvement:

Another Scoring Option
Let’s face it – when Yao goes down again, the Rockets just don’t have enough firepower. They are way too in trouble trying to rely on Rafer Alston, Luis Scola, and Shane Battier for buckets. Tracy McGrady is a true scorer in every sense of the word, but he must hate being the single point of failure for this Rockets team over the past 4 years. Get him a scoring sidekick and maybe this team can finally take off out of the first round.

Big Men Under 40 Years Old…Or Is It 50?
With the (hopeful) retirement of Dikembe Mutombo, the Rockets will have some very big and very old shoes to fill. The Rockets have had luck with second round big men over the past two years, grabbing Chuck Hayes and Carl Landry later than earlier. They also used a savvy front office move to get Luis Scola over from San Antonio. However, once the standard Yao Ming injury occurs in midseason, they will once again be faced with role players trying to supply the punch from the inside. Taking another big man would help strengthen their interior game.

Who Should the Rockets Target?


Nicolas Batum of France
Well, the Rockets could really use a young, talented, athletic, versatile scoring threat from the wing position, but who would fit that description perfectly? Hmmmm…Rudy Gay? Since the Rockets already traded him away last year for Shane Battier, maybe they can go ahead and select the guy who resembles Rudy the most. Batum has the tools to become as good as gay and the skill set – will the Rockets look to grab the talented Frenchman? Will he be long gone?

Jason Thompson of Rider
Thompson is a more mature player that could be a good fit for the Rockets immediately. His versatile game allows him to play inside or out and his fluidity up and down the court would work wonders with Rafer leading the break. Because he went to a small school in New Jersey, many will look past him at the Draft – this is where the Rockets can find another diamond in the rough.

Chris Douglas-Roberts of Memphis
If the Rockets want to split the scoring workload to another option, CDR is as good as it gets. The leading scorer for the national runner-up Memphis Tigers is a prolific scorer and would make it nearly impossible for opponents to stop him and McGrady on the same floor. Another option that selecting CDR will open up could be the possibility of dealing McGrady away to Detroit for a delicious package centered around Rasheed Wallace. Imagine Sheed next to Yao with Landry and Scola off the bench – West opponents don’t want to…

[A.J.]

Yeah I already read it this morning. Most of the points are right.We need a backup center to play 12 minutes a game when Yao is on the bench and I think Hibbert can be that guy. He is great passer, something that fares well in our offense, the only thing I dont like is that he isnt athletic. We also need another scoring option and I think Douglas-Roberts can be that guy if he is available at 25. He was a great scorer at Memphis, and I think Douglas Roberts would make a great instant offense scorer for us on the bench. Batum would be a steal if he is available at 25. He as drawn Rudy Gay comparisons, and I think He might hav a great future in the NBA, he just needs to develop a jumper.

[moofs]

Ok I gotta know, when everyone says we need a backup C to play 12, I'm assuming they're planning for after Mutombo retires? I can't imagine having a better backup C in the meantime. He's uber cost effective defense capable of starting with just enough O to keep it from being 4 on 5.

[2fast4u]

Yeah I already read it this morning. Most of the points are right.We need a backup center to play 12 minutes a game when Yao is on the bench and I think Hibbert can be that guy. He is great passer, something that fares well in our offense, the only thing I dont like is that he isnt athletic. We also need another scoring option and I think Douglas-Roberts can be that guy if he is available at 25. He was a great scorer at Memphis, and I think Douglas Roberts would make a great instant offense scorer for us on the bench. Batum would be a steal if he is available at 25. He as drawn Rudy Gay comparisons, and I think He might hav a great future in the NBA, he just needs to develop a jumper.

if the rockets passed on to rudy gay, what more for this rudy gay "wanna be impersonator"?
anyways, as long as that backup C can play 12 or so mins with solid defense, can alter/block shots and has that rebounding intensity just like deke . then by all means , sign him!! if not, then just draft for a scoring machine or trade that pick+player to somebody like..r.jefferson or j. rich, or whoever that 3rd scorer is.

[TMU]

Ok I gotta know, when everyone says we need a backup C to play 12, I'm assuming they're planning for after Mutombo retires? I can't imagine having a better backup C in the meantime. He's uber cost effective defense capable of starting with just enough O to keep it from being 4 on 5.

True. But we do need an insurance in case Yao or Deke gets injured; something that's likely to happen next year.

[tisbee]

It would be nice if the experts doing such reviews knew anything about the team they're talking about.
The Rockets SG/SF reserves consist of...Luther Head. That should be where any analysis of Rocket needs starts. The Rockets need a SG/SF who can give them some minutes right now,not a super-talented kid w/no outside shot,who doesn't rebound worth diddly and who has major doubts about his aggressiveness. Batum would make a great Second Rd pick,but not in the First where the pick better be able to play right away.(BTW,Rudy Gay had an outside shot coming into League,Batum doesn't.)
(Edit)Read last nite but didn't recall til after replying. There is some concern about Batum's heart-and the last thing the Rockets need is another player w/a shaky medical hstory.(end)
The past two seasons Yao has gone down and the Rockets won 2/3 of their games. Playoffs w/out Yao are a different matter(altho it would have been interesting if Alston was healthy for the Series). For the regular season a tag-team of Deke,Scola and Hayes is adequate. And yes,I would love the Rockets to get a tall young C/PF,but that's like saying I'd like to drive a nicer car when I can barely pay my rent. There are luxuries and there are neccessities-and the Rockets need help in the SG/SF far more than they'd like to have a young big to groom.

[moofs]

It would be nice if the experts doing such reviews knew anything about the team they're talking about.
The Rockets SG/SF reserves consist of...Luther Head. That should be where any analysis of Rocket needs starts. The Rockets need a SG/SF who can give them some minutes right now,not a super-talented kid w/no outside shot,who doesn't rebound worth diddly and who has major doubts about his aggressiveness. Batum would make a great Second Rd pick,but not in the First where the pick better be able to play right away.(BTW,Rudy Gay had an outside shot coming into League,Batum doesn't.)
(Edit)Read last nite but didn't recall til after replying. There is some concern about Batum's heart-and the last thing the Rockets need is another player w/a shaky medical hstory.(end)
The past two seasons Yao has gone down and the Rockets won 2/3 of their games. Playoffs w/out Yao are a different matter(altho it would have been interesting if Alston was healthy for the Series). For the regular season a tag-team of Deke,Scola and Hayes is adequate. And yes,I would love the Rockets to get a tall young C/PF,but that's like saying I'd like to drive a nicer car when I can barely pay my rent. There are luxuries and there are neccessities-and the Rockets need help in the SG/SF far more than they'd like to have a young big to groom.

Ding! We can worry about a backup big man when deke hits 70 or so. Even then, Olajuwon rarely had a good backup. It's not a necessity, just a nicety.

[BuckedRocket]

CDR! CDR! CDR! or Brandon Rush, somehow.

[A.J.]

CDR! CDR! CDR! or Brandon Rush, somehow.

CDR is the most logical choice, We would have to trade up to get Rush, and I don't see Morey doing that.

[Flyboy]

CDR plz.

[HTown_TMac]

I don't think that CDR has a NBA game

[BuckedRocket]

CDR! CDR! CDR! or Brandon Rush, somehow.

CDR is the most logical choice, We would have to trade up to get Rush, and I don't see Morey doing that.

Yeah, i don't think morey will trade up in the draft either. CDR is the most logical choice...but then again it's Morey, who was expecting Brooks and Landry last year? Landry turned out to be really handy and Brooks has shown some potential. So I trust Moreys selection, but if get a shot at CDR and pass i'll still be kinda pissed.

[wadero]

Lets not forget that Gerald Green is coming back to Houston in the off season. He turned down a 2 year deal with Denver because he didnt want to be locked up next year with another organaztion. I belive we will either move up to get Donte Green or draft a falling Deandre Jordan.

[HTown_TMac]

I'm liking Jason Thompson Of Rider

[A.J.]

I don't think that CDR has a NBA game

Have you seen him play? He has 2 things we really need. The ability to slash and shoot.

[A.J.]

I'm liking Jason Thompson Of Rider

Yeah, Thompson certainly has potential to become a good player in this league, but coming from a small school I think teams will pass on him. If we didnt have Landry or Scola I would say we need to get him, but since our PF's are stacked i'll pass on him.