[DickieHurtz]

...at least that's what the Insider is strongly suggesting in their most recent analysis of this June's draft. According to them, here's what the Rockets intend to do:

GM Carroll Dawson and coach Rudy Tomjanovich are in China in an effort to secure a written agreement with the Chinese Basketball Association. If they can hammer something out within the next 10 days, Yao will be a Rocket. If they can't, the team is leaning away from trading the pick. Instead they will likely grab Dunleavy at small forward. That's why the next 10 days are so crucial. They need to have a firm understanding of what happens so they can send a clear signal to Dunleavy. It's possible that Dunleavy will stay in the draft anyway, but the Rockets don't want to take the chance that they lose him and Yao. If they are blown away by a trade offer or if worse comes to worst and they can draft neither, Butler would be their guy.

This is exactly what Krause is hoping the Rockets will do...either its Ming, or its Dunleavy, or its Butler, in that order. In each case that leaves Jay Williams for the Bulls. Pure speculation? Who knows? We should know more by 6/19.

 

[Chops]

Why would they draft Dunleavy when they could probably get Odom, #8, AND #12???

I guess that deal isn't really on the table....

 

[truebluefan]

I just cannot see Houston passing on Ming. Politics and all. I just don't see it. Francis was quoted as saying his team lst 40 games last year by 7 points or less and a trade for Odom would make up for the seven points. Lets say for arguement sake he is correct. But how far would that get them in the playoffs? Thats the real question. I don't blame Francis and Mobley for wanting to go that route but i think in the long run that is not the answer for that team.

Kelvin Cato. Does that bring fear to any players ? I doubt it. To have so much potential when he was with Portland and to do nothing afterwards is one of the many mysteries of the nba. Six points, seven rebounds and just over 1 blocked shot for a 6-11, 255lb athletic center just isn't the answer for Houston.

Jason collier? well we will skip him. Nothing to say

Kevin Willis. 7-0 16 year vet. Is he the answer at their center positon? He does give them production. Even more than Cato in his limited playing time. But its just that! Limited. Besides he is a FA and could decide to go elsewhere.

So you mean to tell me that Houston is willing to compete in the west with Odom and another pick or two and no really good center or back up? I find that hard to believe. I know, someone will say but hey wait a minute. At # 8 and #12 the Rockets could get another really good center. Well does Curtis Borchardt bring fear to anyone? How about Marcus Haislip? Didnt think so.
Truth is both of the guys could be good players eventually but for now they might not be as good as collier is

What about kandi? Yes that possible but that would be a mistake on LAC part if you ask me. But then they do have a history of letting people go. Kandi can be resinged for one year with a qualifying offer. He is at 6 mill now. So Houston could trade for him. But who would they trade? Rice? I dont see Sterling doing that either. Rice has been hurt off and on the last three years and besides his minutes would not be very high at LA. Houston cant afford to let people go in a trade just to get a center. With W Williams another FA i just see how they can add salary inb a trade. And we all know FA is not the answer. Not this year anyway.

I can see Houston taking and keeping Ming. They might not get to the first round this year but i expect that in another year or so, the rockets could be hard to deal with out west. Ming will force centers to come out and guard him. Griffin will have another year of seasoning and could be a very good player. With Cato as the backup center that really improves the team as well. He could do a lot better on the second unit than the first. And with the #15 pick they could get someone that can add to the club in 2003 and 2004

Houston still might go the route that Francis and Mobley want. It is possible. They might even make the play offs. But that team will not go far in the west. They will be like another minny as long as shaq is still playing for the lakers. If they do that, it will be a huge mistake on their part.

 

[Devestata]

Well, if Houston can't come to terms with China, Ming isn't a viable option, unless he will be moved via trade. If Houston managed to nab up a pick or two by trading Ming, i'd take it. Borchardt and Nachbar would fill there needs. I am looking for them to trade. About Collier and Willis... no, they are not good enough to start, only Collier is, maybe on Cleveland:laugh:. Anyhow, if they decide to go after Jay Williams, I would not be suprised if they kept him. I know Francis has made it publically clear he doesn't like playing with another PG in the backcourt. Cuttino Mobley is what? 6'3? So why not Jay? If they decide not to keep him, i'd be suspecting a trade with New York, or Goldent St. Either way, Chicago is still in good postion! We still have Qyntel Woods on the board! He is my pic if Chicago can't get Jay. If you ask me, I'm 50/50 for Jay, because you don't need an all star PG to run the triangle, ala Ron Harper. I would not be suprised to see Chicago trade either. There are just so many options for Chicago, it gives you a migraine thinking about them all!

 

[Songcycle]

Houston - Ming - Ming - Ming - Ming - Ming - Ming - Ming - Ming - Ming - Ming - Ming - Ming - Ming - Ming - Ming - Ming - Ming - Ming - Ming - Ming - Ming - Ming - Ming - Ming and Ming.
Houston has won championships, know how to build a team and want more championships.
They understand very well that it takes stars to win a championship. The traded volume for Francis, they traded volume for Griffin. Now they have a chance at a franchise center, they are not about to trade the pick for volume. Good centers don't come around every year and sometimes they don't come around for 5 straight years and if one does come along, it is unlikely your team will have an opportunity to get him, and when you have the opportunity, you have to grab him. At least if you want to buiild a championship team.
The Chinese government is doing some posturing to see what they can get, but there is a limit to what they can hope for. Ming will go #1, to a large metropolitan city with a substantial Chinese population and even a Chinese embassy. That is a lot right there, I've had a number of Chinese clients and even dealt with a government official. There was always some bargaining and a little hard ball, but that is normal of most people. You see how much you can get, weigh the options and pull the trigger.
It's fun to speculate, but Houston takes Ming. I think we take Jay Williams, but no one knows what Krause is really thinking and I mean no one.

 

[pduh02]

It doesn't make sense for Houston to draft Jay Williams and keep him...........I centeranly guaranttee that if Houston draft Jay Williams and keep him that one of the Houston's guards won't be so happy to play from the bench or less playing time.

Houston is already set with their back court depth Mobely as the two and Francis as the point they already got a back up point name Moochie Norris........I can't see Houston drafting another guard and keep them if they do they will be problems for Houston later on.

Houston is deperatly need a natural PF and desperatly need a center I can't see Houston trading the pick so I see Houston picking up Yao Ming which is best for Houston's future.

 

[Devestata]

Eddie Griffin is making his switch to PF. Thus, SF is the 15th pick. Which will probably be Bostjan Nachbard. Maurice Taylor is now tradable.

 

[pduh02]

The only time Houston draft Jay Williams if something fall apart with China and Yao and they trade Jay Williams that same draft day not keep him.


If I was Houston I rather have Griffin move to the SF and find a naturaly BIG PF to fill in. Imagine for Houston's line up:

C: Yao
PF:???(Naturaly bulk PF.)
SF: Griffin
SG: Mobely
PG: Francis

It be one dangerious team with premeters or whatever you spell it :laugh: post up, they have everything.

 

[Devestata]

In that case, you misewell just play Maurice Taylor! Here's the lineup:

C-Ming
PF-Taylor
SF-Griffin
SG-Mobley
PG-Francis

This is by pduh's calculations, and we know pduh isn't the smartest! :laugh: j/k.

 

[pduh02]

Originally posted by devestata
In that case, you misewell just play Maurice Taylor! Here's the lineup:

C-Ming
PF-Taylor
SF-Griffin
SG-Mobley
PG-Francis

This is by pduh's calculations, and we know pduh isn't the smartest! :laugh: j/k.

I forgot to say that Mo Taylor isn't all that in the PF position I think he's good enough for the bench player as a back up PF I rather have a good quality PF that start everygame with big size that can rebound, block shot, inside the paint and etc. Thats what I ment just forgot to mention about Mo Taylor

If I'm not the smartest........then your not the brightest either :laugh: j/k I think :laugh:

 

[Songcycle]

Taylor can't rebound, and I don't know why they signed him. Pduh's scenario could very well happen if there is a problem with Ming, which there won't be.

 

[truebluefan]

well of course pduhs scenario works. Pduhs da man!!