| 30 Teams, 30 Days: Houston Rockets (26th) Authored by Christopher Reina - June 25, 2007 - 1:51 pm
| Current Featured Columns | | Breaking Down The 2nd Round After a somewhat surprising first round of the 2008 NBA playoffs, we find ourselves with even better match-ups in the Round of Eight.
Prospect Report: Brook Lopez Of StanfordFor a team looking for a well-developed offensive game at center, Brook Lopez is the 2008 Draft’s best option.
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Draft Pick: 26th overall
What they do well
With two of the best players in the entire NBA, the Houston Rockets will be a threat as long as Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady are healthy. In their third year together, they each made the second All-NBA team and recorded 52 wins. The Rockets are deeper than they appear on first glance as they were the fourth seed despite Yao playing in only 48 games.
Where do they need improvement?
McGrady feels the Rockets need a more athletic power forward, as well as a playmaker and a backup point guard. If his press conference following Game 7 was any indication, he is very desperate to see significant changes made immediately.
I am inclined to agree with McGrady, though there isn’t a single power forward in this draft that would fit the bill. Brandan Wright is the only power forward with athleticism on the board, so that need will have to come via trade or free agency.
There are, however, multiple playmaker wings and several quality point guards that will be available for the club to select.
Who they should target?
After trading Juwan Howard for Mike James, GM Daryl Morey gets his feet wet with the 26th pick.
We initially thought the Rockets would go with a guard in the draft, but the trade for James changes that strategy and they will instead look at the power forward position.
- Josh McRoberts, Duke:
McRoberts would instantly become a supplemental scorer from a position of need for Houston. He also brings an intensity on the glass. McRoberts would have fit in very nicely with the early 2000's Sacramento teams, so he should become a favorite of Rick Adelman.
- Glen Davis, LSU:
Davis is one of the purest ballplayers in the draft and every source that I've spoken to has raved about how great he has looked during his workouts. He has lost a lot of weight and would be a nice power forward to off-set Yao, as he moves to the high-post on more possessions.
- Sean Williams, Boston College:
Williams doesn't have the pure offensive game that McRoberts or Davis possess, but he is leaps and bounds the better shot blocker and rebounder. Adelman has a history of getting the most out of so-called troubled players and he would thrive playing beside Yao.
- Jason Smith, Colorado State:
Smith is likely to be off the board by the time Houston selects, but if he slips, he is an excellent blend of McRoberts and Williams. His versatility and length would be too tempting to pass on.
Picks over the past five years
Ever since the franchise changing Yao Ming selection in 2002, the Rockets have received nearly no reinforcements via the draft. Many of their picks have been dealt away, which has led them to be in such dire need for young athleticism.
2006
Rudy Gay, 8th overall (traded to Memphis)
Steve Novak, 32nd
2005
Luther Head, 25th
2004
Luis Flores, 55th
2003
Malick Badiane, 44th
2002
Yao Ming, 1st
Boštjan Nachbar, 15th
Tito Maddox, 38th |
