197 replies to this topic

[rockets best fan]

That's unfortunate....I really like his name.

 

I like Morris and hope he can turn into the player Morey envisioned.  Trading him didn't hurt my feelings though.

 

I think our draft may hinge on Ohlbrecht (yikes!)--if he isn't making the necessary progress then I think we might look to draft another center.

I disagree. I don't think Morey will be looking for another big man unless something falls into his hands unexpectedly. I really believe he will be looking for a player who long term has a chance to replace Delfino at backup SF. All who think Morey had a bad draft the day he picked morris must remember that's the same day he took parsons too. So looks like he did solve the SF problem that day  morris can be a solid player for years if he continues to develop. he may not be a star, but is capable of being a rotation player on a championship team with development. he showed signs earlier this year of that (IMO). As I said b4 the rockets where more interested in removing his salary from the books than how much they could get from him. he was not the future at the 4 spot, making his salary an unnecessary weight the team wanted to rid itself of. the cap room gained by his departure is more valuable than the pick we received. morris got caught up in a numbers game. we simply had so many small 4's that we needed to clean house a little

[Mason Khamvilay]

Morris has the potential to be like Rashard Lewis in the sense that he causes match-up problems for most teams. Remember how valuable Orlando thought that was? 

[rockets best fan]

Morris has the potential to be like Rashard Lewis in the sense that he causes match-up problems for most teams. Remember how valuable Orlando thought that was? 

I agree morris is a tweener and they always cause matchup problem if they can shoot

[manmythlegend]

It's possible he might fall in the draft due to injury prone concerns, and also his lack of lateral quickness on the defensive end, but I actually like him too (for a second round pick). He has put on alot of muscle which is good to see considering his lack of strength, and I'm thinking that if he can continue to get stronger he might actually be able to slide over to the 5 spot where his lateral quickness (or lack thereof) won't be as much of a concern. 

 

We could play him alongside Greg Smith because some of their strengths and weaknesses compliment each other, and they could form a very formidable tandem off the bench. 

 

Lateral quickness may be an overrated quality when guarding the 4. Will he struggle against the likes of Griffin and Aldridge? Sure, but most in the NBA do anyways.  I watched the vast majority of games played by Ryan Kelly and his strengths defensively are providing help on the pick and roll (he can show to the guard to prevent penetration, then quickly recover back to the rolling big man), drawing charges and shot-blocking. Duke was noticeably and statistically better defensively when Kelly was in the lineup. 

 

Offensively, he's versatile; he's got 3 point range, has a reliable 15-18 foot jumpshot, and some back-to-the-basket skills. His ceiling in the NBA may be similar to what Ryan Anderson is doing in New Orleans. I agree that pairing him with Smith would be a symbiotic pairing on a number of levels.

[Cooper]

Kelly or Kenny Kadji would be decent stretch 4s right away.

[manmythlegend]

I like Kadji's skills...I don't like the fact that he's already 25 years old.

[Heredia]

RYAN KELLY, he reminds of a poor man's Kevin Love, and I'm cool with that lol 

[Cooper]

Kadjis age isn't a big deal he won't ever be a star player get him on a rookie deal for 3-4 years and let someone overpay him later if he turns out to be good.

[rockets best fan]

I can't believe you guys are talking about drafting another PF. that should be the last thing on our minds. we should be after a wing player since I doubt you will find a center with the #34 pick and we need another rookie PF like we need a hole in the head

[manmythlegend]

Age isn't completely insignificant. It's been said that teams take age into account when projecting a player's development and also when trying to judge a player's performance against his competitive peers.

It's the reason why some feel that Shabazz Muhammad's draft stock may suffer because he is a year older than he and his camp originally stated.

It's probably the reason why guys like Chris Weinke did not and probably Brandon Weeden may not pan out in the NFL.

Don't get me wrong; he's a good player. But if it's a choice between him and a similar skilled player who is 4-5 years younger, I think you go with the younger player 10-out-10 times.

[rockets best fan]

Age isn't completely insignificant. It's been said that teams take age into account when projecting a player's development and also when trying to judge a player's performance against his competitive peers.

It's the reason why some feel that Shabazz Muhammad's draft stock may suffer because he is a year older than he and his camp originally stated.

It's probably the reason why guys like Chris Weinke did not and probably Brandon Weeden may not pan out in the NFL.

Don't get me wrong; he's a good player. But if it's a choice between him and a similar skilled player who is 4-5 years younger, I think you go with the younger player 10-out-10 times.

age is only 1 factor in many that must be considered on draft picks. bev is 24 and a rook this year and had a promising season once he began receiving playing time. skill level is more important than age

[manmythlegend]

Beverley is not an accurate comparison. He had the benefit of being a pro for the past three seasons in Europe. He developed his skills against grown professionals, which primed him for success when he finally got his chance in the NBA.

It's difficult to evaluate older college players like Kadji; was his success primarily due to his ability or did a lot have to do with him being a 24 year old dominating 18-20 year olds?

My argument wasn't that age was more important than skill; obviously skill takes precedence. Mine was age as it relates to player development and a their respective ceiling.

Here's a question: Can you name a true rookie (no prior pro experience) who came into the league as a 25 year old or older that had any kind of impact on their team?

[timetodienow1234567]

Tony Mitchell is my guy

[rockets best fan]

@manmythlegend

I agree age is relative to room a player has to reach his ceiling, but that's about it.

[Steven]

Beverley is not an accurate comparison. He had the benefit of being a pro for the past three seasons in Europe. He developed his skills against grown professionals, which primed him for success when he finally got his chance in the NBA.

It's difficult to evaluate older college players like Kadji; was his success primarily due to his ability or did a lot have to do with him being a 24 year old dominating 18-20 year olds?

My argument wasn't that age was more important than skill; obviously skill takes precedence. Mine was age as it relates to player development and a their respective ceiling.

Here's a question: Can you name a true rookie (no prior pro experience) who came into the league as a 25 year old or older that had any kind of impact on their team?

Roger Staubach. David Robinson was old too for a rookie.

[Mason Khamvilay]

Mike Muscala

Ricky Ledo

Tony Snell

[thejohnnygold]

What about this guy as a 25 yr. old rookie???

 

[rockets best fan]

I use to love that finger wag   NO NO NO NOT IN MY HOUSE

[Cooper]

Tony snell is interesting, similar to kwahi Leonard skill set. Muscala's post presence would be nice but I feel like he'll rise to the first round with his size and skills.

[Steven]

Tony snell is interesting, similar to kwahi Leonard skill set. Muscala's post presence would be nice but I feel like he'll rise to the first round with his size and skills.

Except Leonard has/had a motor that never stops. Snell doesn't.