I would personally think that Turiaf is a better fit than Simien. Howard has been a staple for what our draftee should be like on offense: a player with post moves but also outside range if he gets open off of Yao double teams. Simien can't hit that shot consistently; Turiaf would do it from 15-18 feet more often and with more accuracy. I like how Turiaf is already well-rounded on the offensive end and also a good shotblocker. His defense, with work, could also become top-notch. Simien, meanwhile, at 6-8, will get taken advantage by bigger opponents every night, and his lack of lateral quickness will also be exposed if he tries to guard forwards like Garnett, Nowtizki and Duncan, who have both outside range and the ability to drive to the hole and post up. Simien could be a Elton Brand but he could also be a Marcus Fizer, Corliss Williamson or Clarence Weatherspoon, undersized 4's. Garcia, from what I've seen and heard of him, is not a great defender, and he has limited athletic ability. I don't think that we need any help in the form of a swingman right now, at least not with our first round draft pick. He will be a 2/3 in the NBA, and he is not strong or quick enough to succeed here.
Guys getting a true point guard in the draft or free agency would be our last choice. We should remember that TMac holds the ball most of the time and acts as our playmaker. Sura and James can bring down the ball under pressure. That's all we can ask from our PG aside from their playmaking abilities. I think the Rockets would go for a PF in the draft. It will either be Simien or Turiaf. Simien is a good post player and rebounder while Turiaf's strength will be his defense as well as rebounding. With regards to our shooting guard needs in speed, I hope Spanoulis would fit the bill. If we get Simien resigning/signing Mutombo or Andersen is a must as they will anchor the defense together with Yao. Simien must make up his lack of defense by grabbing rebounds on both ends of the floor. Simien's injury history might be his weakness. The Rockets might think twice about drafting him. Another thing if the Rockets choose to upgrade the PF spot thru free agency, Danny Granger(if available) would be a nice choice. He will be a good back-up for TMac. In some situations TMac can move to the SG position to accomodate Granger in the SF position. Granger is a very good rebounder, defender and a decent shooter from the perimeter. According to some scouts he's like Joe Johnson or Josh Howard in the making.
The best postion for the rockets to look for in the draft is easily the PF. The PG has very few people. Only about 4 will probably go in the first round. Simien and Turiaf have had their stock drop. I think a better fit now for the rockets is Ike Diogo. He isnt very tall, 6-8, but still strong. He is a great blocker, defender, rebounder, and scorer, he can shoot the three very well. Things turiaf and simien didnt really put together.
Does anyone have news on who the Rockets worked out recently? I'm seeing a lot of these reports for other teams, but none for Houston. Maybe someone in the area could have news for us?
The Rockets couldnt go wrong with drafting a PG or PF with their pick...there is a lot of youth on this team (Yao, TMac, james) so adding another youth piece would be the right move...add this point, however, I'm sure JVG would rather have a veteran PG rather than a veteran PF, simply because the PG has to comprehend more and should be smart and decisive...
Yea I too would rather have a veteran PG than a rookie PG. During playoff time you just cant depend on a rookie cotroling the offense. A young PF can give you athleticism, rebounds, blocks , and most important hustle.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">Does anyone have news on who the Rockets worked out recently? I'm seeing a lot of these reports for other teams, but none for Houston. Maybe someone in the area could have news for us?</div> Here are some of the aspiring draftees that workout with the Rockets Trip: April 18, 2005 :Will Conroy : PG/6"2/Senior/Washington Aaron Miles : PG/6"1/Senior/Kansas Andre Owens : PG/6"4/Senior/Houston Corey Santee : PG/6"1/Senior/Texas Christian April 19,2005 : Luther Head : SG/6"3/Senior/Illinois Keith Langford : SG/6"4/Senior/Kansas May 11,2005 : Julius Hodge : SG/6"7/Senior/North Carolina State Willie Jenkins : SF/6"6/Senior/Tennesse Tech Jawad Williams : PF/6"9/Senior/North Carolina I haven't heard from the Rockets' workouts since then.
Thanks for the info blueracer. I'm puzzled by this. Of the players that we're working out, none of them will likely go in the first round. They're early second rounders at best. We're also not working out any big man, but instead are focusing on point guards. However, why waste a first round pick on these guys when we can even bring them in as undrafted players? Maybe there's a trade brewing for us to get a second round pick?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> April 18, 2005 :Will Conroy : PG/6"2/Senior/Washington Aaron Miles : PG/6"1/Senior/Kansas Andre Owens : PG/6"4/Senior/Houston Corey Santee : PG/6"1/Senior/Texas Christian April 19,2005 : Luther Head : SG/6"3/Senior/Illinois Keith Langford : SG/6"4/Senior/Kansas May 11,2005 : Julius Hodge : SG/6"7/Senior/North Carolina State Willie Jenkins : SF/6"6/Senior/Tennesse Tech Jawad Williams : PF/6"9/Senior/North Carolina </div> Wow that disappoints me a lot. Unless they're trading for a second round pick (it better be a good one at that) I think the Rockets organization is pretty clueless on drafting players. Why not just take the easy route and get Wayne Simien, the true power forwrad that we need- and then work from there. Instead, almost all the players are guards except for Jenkins. Plus, some I even question on whether or not they will be successful in the NBA. Unless they plan on getting a legit powerforward in the free agency, this just leaves me puzzled and disappointed.
Message to Van Gundy: NO MORE UNDERSIZED POWER FOWARDS. If I could change one thing about Van Gundy, it be his obsession with undersize PF's. That annoys me, because he clearly will pass up a 6'9 PF with length, for a 6'5 PF playin out of position. I don't think we need a PF. I would love the Rockets to keep Juwan Howard, and stack up on back up Centers. That way instead of bringing Weatherspoon in to guard Duncan, we'll have a seven footer out there blocking shots and rebounding. I liked Cato playing with Yao, I wonder if we could get a player with the same talent.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Message to Van Gundy: NO MORE UNDERSIZED POWER FOWARDS. If I could change one thing about Van Gundy, it be his obsession with undersize PF's. That annoys me, because he clearly will pass up a 6'9 PF with length, for a 6'5 PF playin out of position. I don't think we need a PF. I would love the Rockets to keep Juwan Howard, and stack up on back up Centers. That way instead of bringing Weatherspoon in to guard Duncan, we'll have a seven footer out there blocking shots and rebounding. I liked Cato playing with Yao, I wonder if we could get a player with the same talent.</div> We need a powerforward. I doubt Weatherspoon will be playing much next year and probably will be traded anyways. Padgett will most undoubtly not pick up his player option so he might be used to trade as well. That leaves how many powerforwards? Just one with Juwan Howard. Thats why it would definitely be smart to draft a shotblocking and defensive minded powerforward in the draft instead of guards or a center. We've got Mutumbo and Yao for center so whats the point of drafting another center? They've been playing very efficiently. Yao plays about thirty minutes while Mutumbo takes over for the other fifteen ish. I don't see how the rookie would ever get into the rotation unless we don't resign Mutumbo or he suddenly becomes useless.
Why don't the Rockets bring in the likes of Francisco Garcia, Ronny Turiaf, Wayne Simien, Andray Blatche, Channing Frye or David Lee? Instead, we're looking at marginal second rounders. The team has better be hoping to get these guys by a second round pick or free agency. If we use the 24th pick on one of them, it'll definitely turn a lot of heads.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Why don't the Rockets bring in the likes of Francisco Garcia, Ronny Turiaf, Wayne Simien, Andray Blatche, Channing Frye or David Lee? Instead, we're looking at marginal second rounders. The team has better be hoping to get these guys by a second round pick or free agency. If we use the 24th pick on one of them, it'll definitely turn a lot of heads.</div> Exactly. The only way I can see Houston trying to draft those guys blueracer mentioned is through trading down for a reasonable player (better be a good powerforward at that) and a second round pick or free agency. I really wish Houston would just stick to their gut and draft Simien, Turiaf, or Lee instead of making a risky move.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AznxBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">Exactly. The only way I can see Houston trying to draft those guys blueracer mentioned is through trading down for a reasonable player (better be a good powerforward at that) and a second round pick or free agency. I really wish Houston would just stick to their gut and draft Simien, Turiaf, or Lee instead of making a risky move.</div> If that's what we're doing, it could be even better than drafting. I could possibly see a trade with New Orleans that could satisfy the power forward needs; maybe someone like PJ Brown. Could it be that: Houston trades Vin Baker; 24th pick New Orleans trades PJ Brown; 33rd pick If that is indeed the case, then I could see why we would be exclusively working out second round material point guards. PJ Brown could provide immediate and surefire help, and New Orleans, being in the position that they are, could definitely use as many first rounders as possible. Baker is included solely for salary purposes.
^ I think a trade is probably most likely. I hope a trade like that doesnt go down though cause we really could do with less veterans. Why does JVG have a problem with rookies? This team is so old. Bring in some young talent for once. A guy like ike diogu or wayne simien can still come in a contribute right off the bat. Diogu would be an ideal compliment for yao.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Many intriguing prospects will become household names this summer once the NBA Draft comes along. College boys like Andrew Bogut and Chris Paul, preps-to-pros stars like Gerald Green and Martell Webster, and foreign success stories like Rudy Fernandez and Tiago Splitter gather in New York for arguably the biggest event of the NBA year. In Houston, the consensus is that we need to get younger, as we have the highest average age among NBA teams. (31.4 years old) As the draft approaches, Houston executives and scouts begin to look at all the players who could possibly don the Rockets' red this next season. There are a few different ways we could go in this year?s draft. We?re obviously set at C and the G/F position with Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, and Dikembe Mutumbo, who is expected to return for a 14th NBA season. We?ve got some good depth at SG, with David Wesley, Jon Barry, and Bobby Sura. Our biggest weaknesses are at the PG and PF positions. At PG, we?ve been limited to playing Sura, a SG for his career, and Mike James who?s been labeled as a SG in a PG body many times in his career. We?ve also had failed experiments in Brandin Knight, Rod Strickland, and Andre Barrett, who was last seen playing for the Orlando Magic. At PF, we have Juwan Howard, a forward known for his offense. Howard is not recognized for his interior defense or shot-blocking, something Coach Van Gundy has looked for next to Yao. Behind him, Scott Padgett and Clarence Weatherspoon have been in and out of the rotation, Padgett being mostly a shooter, and Weatherspoon picking up mostly garbage minutes. </div> Link <font color="red"><font size="-2">Please quote just parts of an article.</font></font>
http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_12935.shtml There is a rumor that the rockets will trade sura and wesley and i guess future draft picks in exchange for bonzi wells and the 14th pick in the draft. I dont think its that bad of a trade. We upgrade from wesley, which was something that looked like was bound to happen. It really hurts the PG spot. I never though of loosing sura, and there isnt much in the draft to replace him. There is the MLE though so we could use free agency. The draft picks are pretty good though and will do a lot. Do the grizzlies have the 14th pick?
It is the 19th pick. 14th belongs to Minnesota. I could see some sense in this trade, but is it really worth it? As Ingram stated, the Rockets would probably be better off without a rookie starting at point guard, and if we trade Sura, that's what it looks like it will have to come down to. Dan Dickau, as he stated, could be a good choice. Wells is a question mark; he did not mesh well with the disciplined system of Mike Fratello, and with the similar Van Gundy, could he sulk his way out of Houston? The article also says that the Rockets are now more impressed with Andray Blatche and Ike Diogu. Any thoughts?
Personally, I like the Bonzi Wells rumor. I really think that Van Gundy has enough coaching presence to straighten out Wells and make him a decent player again. Besides, with him playing with McGrady and Yao, maybe Wells will realize that he's on a team that has a pretty good shot at winning a championship. From what I've heard of him, Bonzi is a pretty good defender and has the height for it too. And unlike Sura, he's not as plague with injuries so we would get more games out of him. However, I do think that if this rumor is true, then Houston should take a close look at everything before pulling the trigger because of Bonzi's attitude problem. I'm not too sure about drafting a point guard though. At number nineteen, there really isn't any good point guards other than maybe Rudy Fernandez but he's too young and isn't really a true point guard. Maybe draft Sean May (who's still questionable) at the nineteenth and get Jarrett Jack at the twenty fourth? However, this rumor doesn't really go with who the players Houston worked out, so I'm not sure its all that credible. BTW everyone- What do you think- Andray Blatche, Ike Digou, or Wayne Simien?
^^ I would say ike diogu. Andray Blatche is straight out of high school so i dont know much about him. He probably will take a while before he can earn a spot on our team. Wayne simien would do great with his rebounding and scoring. Diogu is more complete though. He has more range on scoring and is a great rebounder as well. Defensively, Diogu is better too. Unlike simien, he is an efective blocker so he would compliment yao well. Neither are tall but diogu is stronger so he would be able to box people out and do better against guys like duncan and garnett. Scoring wise, they both are good, but i would again take diogu because he can hit the three very well while simien rarely takes any. If we get jarret jack, he would do good on the rockets. He is a perfect fit in the half court and a talented defender. Who knows where he will fall though.
