86 replies to this topic

[wtflife]

What are the knocks on Leonard that would have him available at 14? (ie: 7 footers that can walk and chew gum at the same time are usually always gobbled up early.)

I think this is the question. My one concern is in the highlights you showed he clearly plays below the rim. That is not necessarily fatal. Kevin Love plays below the rim and I would be very happy if he became a rocket.
However it is a concern because if you are playing below the rim in college it could mean you lack the athleticism necessary to get off a shot in the pros.
My number one question would be why is this guy not going to be the next Chris Mihm (sp?)

I agree though his ability to operate from the elbow makes me love him and I would say that he looks like a massive upgrade over Scola at the 5.
How is it possible anyone will draft Harrison Barnes before 15. I watched a lot of him and I can't think of anything he does that would translate to the NBA. His number one skill seemed to be ability to shoot jump shots over short people.

[Alituro]

I think it's there if he wants it...

[wtflife]

That did look impressive. Maybe he is like Duncan just likes to do the fundamental things. Note I don't really expect him to be like Duncan, but we can always hope. Hoping he falls.

[Alituro]

What I liked about the first clip was that while operating from the elbow, a less polished, more selfish center would have ignored the slashers, posted up, and bricked a 7' hook, or had it blocked. He did the right thing for his team instead by finding his open man. Many of the best centers don't acquire that mentality until a few years into their professional careers, some never do. That's because 7-footers feel a sense of entitlement once the ball gets in the paint. For him to seem to grasp that at such an early age speaks volumes to me. It took Yao a few years to learn it and Hayes was masterful at it regardless of his physical shortcomings.

[Rahat Huq]

Just announced. Rockets will be picking 14th and 16th.

[Alituro]

Just announced. Rockets will be picking 14th and 16th.

Morey's got soooooo many tools at his disposal... There's no telling what he'll pull off, but I bet(hope) it will be big...

[bob schmidt]

Everyone says it is a deep talent draft, so it is nice to know that we have two picks before half the NBA teams get their first... Maybe we'll come up with a winner or two.

[Rahat Huq]

With Leonard, is it just a case of typical racial stereotyping and labeling him as "soft" because he's white?

[Ostrow]

I actually though Leonard was a good athlete and ESPN does as well "Leonard is a super-athletic big man." If I remember correctly the knock on him at the beginning of the year was maturity, but don't quote me on that.
Update: I just re-read his profile and they question whether he can handle the NBA mentally but physically they have no questions.

[rockets best fan]

leanord's stock is rising. I think the rockets may need to move up to get him. he won't be there at #14. as short as this league (NBA) is on good big men, we aren't the only ones watching him. when he starts his team workouts trust me he will get a bunch of attention.

[Mario Peña]

The more I read about Myers Leonard the more I like him. Zeller seems like an overachiever that would be a solid back up and Drummond sounds like nothing but trouble. Leonard seems like a big man that could start and maybe be in that top mid tier at his position.

[rockets best fan]

the latest espn mock draft has terrance jones from kentucky falling to houston at #14. if we can get him at #14 and leanord at #16 I would consider that a draft day steal.

[afaut]

I like Leonard but not T Jones. I don't think he'd be a good fit here. There many other options

[rockets best fan]

I like Leonard but not T Jones. I don't think he'd be a good fit here. There many other options

true there are a lot of options, but you gotta take a chance on somebody and he looks like a pretty good prospect to me. the closer the draft gets I expect 2 hear the rockets have made a trade. with montieunjas coming over I don't see the rockets bringing 3 rookies to an already very young team. most likely they trade both picks and a player to move up.

[Rahat Huq]

Who do you all think could be had at 6?

[rockets best fan]

Who do you all think could be had at 6?

right now its portland. until the lottery

[majik19]

Surely with two picks we will try to move up in the draft. Or alternatively, I could see Morey trading one of his firsts for one next year, with the hope that it ends up higher... if Morey is confident enough he'll have a job next year.

[blakecouey]

The latest Mock on ESPN Insider says Portland will take Harrison Barnes with the 6th pick, I have a hard time believing we would take him with the 6th if we owned it, as we've already got Parsons/Morris/Bud for the SF spot, and you can't go giving up on Parsons after the year he had. The only way that happens is if we dealt one or two of the three then maybe, but that shouldnt be our focus position anyways.
The 6 looks like a bad spot for the Rockets, Perry Jones might be the best fit, if he can handle the PF role instead of the SF role scouts predict him playing. Then again, we've already got Scola, Motie, and Patterson for the 4. If we get rid of Scola in a trade(Im in favor of this either way), should we give Motie/Patt a try? Or are we better off having Jones/Motie or Jones/Patt or even retaining all three?
The other talent that may or may not be around 6 are:
Andre Drummond, C, mocked to go to Sacremento at 5(I'd take the risk, but moving up to 5 might not be easily attained)
Harrison Barnes, SF, mocked to Portland at 6(good talent, but I'd pass based on our depth at SF already)
Perry Jones, PF(scouts say SF), mocked to GSW at 7(great upside, 6'11 235((nice PF size..)), Very good rebounder, can jump unlike Scola, and scores well)
Damian Lilliard, PG, mocked to Toronto at 8(lets not waste a pick on a pg please)
John Henson, PF, mocked to Detriot at 9(they say he's a reach at 9, so at 6.. why take Henson when you couldve had Jones; he's smaller skinnier, and has less talent)

So unless we were able to then move up yet again from 6, my opinion would be to take Jones, and if we have the Knicks pick at 16 still I'd take a shot on Meyers Leonard, or Jeremy Lamb(if we've traded for a starting Center).

Im sure there are differing opinions out there, let's hear them.

[Stephen]

If the Rockets should trade up to #6 They would then have their choice of whichever big they like among Zeller,Hensen,Moultrie.
The Rockets need a C and a wing who can create shots for himself and others. Most of the available wings can shoot,but very few can get their own shot and almost none have shown much ability to set up others.(If all the Rockets wanted was a wing scorer who could knock down shots and put points on the board,they'd have made nice w/Kevin Martin.) A few of the wings will be available at #16,so the Rockets could pick one up at that point.
But I believe there will be an early run on the bigs. Look at the teams drafting from 7-13,they all can use a quality young big. At #6,the Rockets will be able to get the one they want.

[rockets best fan]

Stephen:
I agree with you. I took a look at all the teams from 7-13 and every one needs a center. there just might be a big run on centers. that can be both good and bad. bad because we won't get the center we need, but good because they may be so size blind that they leave a star talent on the board. if we are unable to trade up there may not be any good centers left by the time we pick.