Pulse of The Fans: Rockets NBA Draft Grade
by Mike Kerns on Jun 25, 2010 8:41 AM CDT
in NBA Draft
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PrintNow that the 2010 NBA Draft is over and we no longer get to hear all of Stuart Scott's fun facts, some draft grades are already rolling in. Most of the mainstream media is giving high marks to Daryl Morey and company for the selection of Kentucky Forward Patrick Patterson at #14. And that's quite hard to argue. Incredible value for a low lottery pick.
But here is the part where you, the fans, get to let us know what you think. Did the Rockets hit a home run with Patrick Patterson? With all of the Power Forward's now on the roster, changes are inevitable. Be it letting Luis Scola walk or packaging Jordan Hill in a trade, changes are a coming. But from all indications, the team will not be moving Patrick Patterson. They seem quite ecstatic in getting the guy they targeted a possible move up for.
In our pre-draft poll, only 9% (52 Votes) of you wanted the team to take Patrick Patterson. So, kudos to you, gentlemen. Whereas the majority of us wanted Hassan Whiteside at 36% (201 votes) and feel really stupid about it now after he fell all the way to #33 to Sacto. Yeah, we may have felt pretty played now had he been drafted #14 now. At least I know I would have. But, as much as we gloat when we're right, we can be humbled as well.
So, onto the voting. What grade would you give the Rockets for last night's draft? And explain why in the comments below. And before you rip the guys for making only one move last night, take into consideration that free agency is less than a week away now.
Fire away, folks!
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I gave a B
I love the pick, but Patterson was truly the 3rd or 4th guy on my personal draft board. But I do think we got a steal.
B+ or A-, really
If Morey had managed to move into the top 5, that would have been a solid A
Minnesotan Rockets fan
UGH.
seriously man, giving up assets just to make the draft more interesting would have been an A? So getting a number five prospect by giving up a ton of assets would be an A but having a number six (Rockets’ board position for Pat) is B+? How does that make any sense? We still have three first rounders in the next two years, Kevin Martin, Trevor Ariza, Aaron Brooks, Luis Scola, etc. If the trade was made, we would have at least two less of those. Is that worth having Cousins instead of Patterson? Maybe. But why go high risk-high reward when you could go low risk-high reward. If the organization is thrilled, we all should be too. These people know what they are doing.
by CrusherExploder on Jun 25, 2010 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Morey did have the objective of attaining top five picks and was unsuccessful.
The fallback of attaining Patterson is of course quite nice, combined with keeping our assets, but getting Wall or Turner would have been better, from my perspective. Don’t get me wrong, I like our pick, but I’ll admit I’m a bit harsh when I grade things in general. Besides, a B+ isn’t bad.
Minnesotan Rockets fan
its extremly difficult to trade up to top 5 from 14
youd be sending off alota of hard work and yrs of attained assets for an unproven rookie.. trading up is sexy and generates exciting threads but the boring simple move is usually the best way to go
Rockets-Texans-Dynamo-Longhorn fan.. used to be Astros too, but not sure there a pro team anymore
There was 0 chance of Wall or Turner
So if that was your hope then you had it misplaced. It was Cousins that they were after if they could get up there. And frankly I’m not sure it wasn’t all a smoke screen to keep people from knowing they wanted Patterson
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
How can you possibly know...
Everyone acts as if that fact that he is chosen everyone who wanted Whiteside or some other center was so stupid to think so. As if Morey’s decision, or really just dumb luck, makes it obvious that the majority was wrong. He could be Joey Dorsey and Whiteside or even Damion James could end up being the next Dream or Barkley. This decision looks safe at least, I will give you that but there are so many busts or people who never reach their assumed potential that we won’t know this draft is a success until a year or two from now.
He does seem to be a realtively well spoken porfessional that has class, so at least we did no harm but I just don’t think we should say we landed another Landry until we see him smash into Dirk, loose his teeth and then calmly walk to the bench only to see that whimp crying on the ground. Landry kicked ass!
If it turns into a trade for a great backup center for Yao, like Kaman or Hay then it was a great job but as of now I don’t think we can say that the 9% who picked this guy from all of the college and high school players can start applying for GM jobs. If you “called it” you were lucky. Remind me to invite you guys to Vegas when I go,…but as of yet we dont know how anything is going to shake out.
I didn't know about any of the players to really make a call as all I really saw this season was UT
I am not unhappy with the pick but it is more of a wait and see what happens. If it ends up with the ability to trade for a top FA then it was a great move but I just don’t think anyone out there can say that we were brilliant by the sheer fact that the pick dropped to us. There are always really high odds that a late first or even second rounder ends up being an allstar, above Patterson…it is "brilliant’ when you grab that guy…but you dont know that until a year or more later.
expecting brilliance
I think we’ve been spoiled by the amazing feats Morey pulled off to expect nothing less than brilliance from him. The truth is however great a poker player you may be, sometime you get deal a hand that you just cant win with, you can only play to not lose. For the value and talent available at the time Patterson is a very solid pick.
I wont fault Morey for staying put, this year is full of possible role players and very few stars, many teams are reluctant to give up their lower round pick. I’m willing to bet he tried hard to buy a second round pick from somebody just hoping to catch one of the falling big guys(Soloman Alabi free falling because of a Hep B infection?)
Um
You make it sound like Morey was dealt a bad hand and didn’t win.
Getting Patterson was a good hand, and by picking him when he got the chance, without giving up any assets, he won.
well
He didnt, he got dealt a hand that’s hard to play with, He won anyways due to luck
Patterson at 14 is great and lucky(mainly because jazz are idiots), he said it was nearly a disaster, but the rockets luckly got the guy they wanted without giving away anything
think of how much easily it would’ve been if he had multiple picks like the blazers and thunders
i agree with ya John P,
right now we are all still just speculating of how good or solid PP can be in the NBA, nothing is certain. On paper he seems like a solid fit and player, but who knows maybe he will be a bust (tho lower chances than a Whiteside). Also we didnt address our issues yet, and just stocked up on assess we need to eventually move. So until FA starts and we see how we address our gaping center hole, I voted incomplete.
I appreciate your brilliance...
I didn’t mean to come down harsh against those who cheer PP on, I think he seems like a solid citizen, I just think that too many players go bust who everyone foamed at the mouth over that I will keep my perspective and wait until we start kicking ass.
But if PP posterizes Lebron James in a game I will be the first one to buy a PP Rockets Jersey.
This guy really needs a nickname!
it would be funny if
the rest of the bigs that went before Pat all busted. that would really make us look smart
GO ROCKETS, GO TEXANS, GO ASTROS (EVEN THOUGH THEY SUCK)!!!
Didn't Scola
…swing over and play the 5 sometimes last season when either Landry or Hill would come into the game?
Couldn’t he do the same for both Hill and Paterson? I mean, yeah, we have 3 players that could play the 4, but I don’t see it as a totally terrible thing. I mean, don’t we want as many people as possible to back up Yao to help manage his minutes?
I gave the pick a solid B
Just your average, run of the mill hardcore casual Texans fan.
but we will have to limit yaos limit,
and if he gets hurt again, a 6-8, 6-9 center in the west is suicide against playoff bound teams. Still need a legit back up in case of injuries and also to anchor the 2nd team’s defense, and keep us in the game.
Oh, I understand that...
…and yes, we ARE loaded at PF, but we still have options.
Just your average, run of the mill hardcore casual Texans fan.
According to The Chron
Hill is in training to become a center. So we wouldn’t have so many PF on the roster…Plus free agency starts in less than a week.
Patrick should do excellent in our system…esp. playing behind Scola, and having Sikma work with him…I see nothing but great things in this team and young mans future.
Great pick…Glad we didn’t have to sacrifice anything to acquire him either!
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/7079456.html
agreed
we didnt sacrifice too much for a risk…we still have Bud and Hill, and it looks like this guy is more safe than most, now hopefully we can either get a good FA with him or he turns into a Landry or better
Plus
We still have our assets, which is one of our strengths for a sign and trade during the free agency, intact.
by typhoon.infamous on Jun 25, 2010 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Ive always viewed Hill as a C never a PF
his length and measurables are C attributes all he needs to do is put on some more weight and get stronger and he’ll be really good imo
Rockets-Texans-Dynamo-Longhorn fan.. used to be Astros too, but not sure there a pro team anymore
I completley agree
He has a nice jump shot, but he’s 6-10, moves the floor well, and really has hops which helped with his rebounding and interior game. I know he isn’t 7 ft but I never understood why people think of him more as a PF than a C. I know he’s a combo PF/C but I view him as more of a C.
Patterson
I’m a huge fan of Patterson. In the mold of Chuck Hayes, he’s a blue collar hard worker who will make the players around him better. He played high school ball an hour from my home town and was a star until his Senior year then OJ Mayo transfered in. Pat had no problems with letting Mayo take the lime light. Pat does what needs to be done to win and doesn’t worry who gets the credit. He has a more polished offensive game then Hayes of course but like Chuck is a great defender but more of a shot blocker with his long wing span. I think Houston will be great place for Patterson.
Grade A
Just for the simple fact that they got what they wanted without giving up a damn thing. Question is what do we do from here? I really don’t see why Hill can’t be a center behind Yao in the first place. We always played small ball when Yao went to the bench and Mutombo only came in in special situations. We got Chuck Wagon for that. Staying “pat” did well for us now but can it also be the way to go in the very near future.
GO ROCKETS, GO TEXANS, GO ASTROS (EVEN THOUGH THEY SUCK)!!!
I gave a B
Patterson – if we keep him – is a 3rd PF on the roster (assuming Chuck Hayes is considered the 4th PF or a backup C). He doesn’t do anything that Scola or Hill don’t already do – but that’s okay cause those guys are good.
My problem is that the Rockets had a chance to get a shotblocker – Alabi, Whiteside, Varnado, etc. – and they didn’t buy a 2nd round pick to do so.
The Sacramento Kings got all the guys I wanted. Damn.
I have to say that missing a center in the draft is a bit hard to swallow but history is filled with people taking chances on big men (Oden, Brown, etc…) and them not paying out. It is better to fill that role with a FA, unless there is an almost lock down chance of grabing a star center. Looks like Miller or Pryzbilla etc…will be filling that role.
We took the best guy available and seeing as how he seems very mature, smart and polished and apparently there are rocks more intelligent than Whiteside we chose well. Maybe Sac will see Cousins working out and trade Whiteside or Hawes?…but to win now we are better signing a mature Miller or Joel etc…
Hawes is in philly now
but they still loaded up on front court
Well the centers were available in the 2nd round, Whiteside, Albai, and few others.
So we could easily worked them out in summer league and if they played well give them a cheap contract (can’t believe 6 figures is a cheap contract in teh nba still), so would be chump change to us compared to the money Yao and Tmac stole from Les on the bench last season.
if we can get Miller or Pryzbilla
Id be STOKED
Rockets-Texans-Dynamo-Longhorn fan.. used to be Astros too, but not sure there a pro team anymore
Agreed on everything
It’s not that I don’t like Patterson it’s just that we really need a big backup to Yao. Given that two real candidates went in the 2nd, and we bought 2 2nd last year…
"Each in turn... volunteered his suggestions, his invaluable suggestions."
by Xiane on Jun 25, 2010 6:52 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Been reading some stuff on Patterson
and am so impressed. Dude graduated in 3 years and seems very mature. A hard worker and seems very smart. Can’t wait to see him in action.
it is now only a matter of time before we trade Hill or Patterson for someone
I think Hill is becoming a center in the event we can’t trade for Bosh, Jefferson, etc… and we could still end up being good if Patterson and Hill work out.
If Patterson is all that everyone says he will be, and Hill can be a pretty great defensive big man/center then we may be fine just where we are.
I dont know how long Perkins is out for with surgery but assuming he comes back fine from surgery I say we trade Hill or Patterson for him. If the knee is ok that would give us a young PF and Center to back up Yao and Scola. Then at PG we have Brooks and Lowry, at SF we have Ariza and Bud, we just need a backup SG with Martin.
Its starting to feel a lot like christmas…if only it was october
I still think that if Morey can't get Bosh
he will go after Amare. He almost did it at the trade deadline and after seeing his second half performance, his stock only went up. I would love Bosh or Jefferson though, but Amare would still be a great addition in my opinion.
by danielcp0303 on Jun 25, 2010 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions
no Amare for me...
I just don’t see him playing well with others in Houston.
First, he needs a good passing PG to give him his looks.
Second, he is the best offensive option in Phoenix, not necessarily so with Martin, Brooks, Yao and Scola all good scorers.
Third, he takes plays off all the time, especially on defense.
That is not how you win championships and most importantly that is not the way this Rockets team (or hopefully any Rockets team) plays.
He has skills but I think Al Jeff is better and probably cheaper than Amare, and I really don’t think much of Al Jeff either.
Bosh, people say he is worth it. I haven’t been able to watch his game that much to know, as I only see him when he plays on national TV or vs. the Rockets but his offensive and rebound stats look good. Does he play D? If he is that much of a superstar how come his team didn’t go to the playoffs all these years. Wade had a worse team and did it on his back.
I think our team rocks now and plays well together now. Add a center (young or FA or both) and go with it. It seems no need to disrupt all the apple cart to land a huge ego.
My guess is All Jeff is coming for Hill or Patterson and others.
agree, I think morey is smarter than to get Amare. With all the contract inflations
ppl just look at pnts then offer max contracts. Amare benefited in that system, like Shawn Marion did, once he leaves pheonix what will be his true value? and if he takes plays off on defense how we expect to beat the lakers and spurs in the WCFs. Last time i checked an aging TD, and Gasol at his prime would still kick Amares ass on the offensive side
You forgot the
part about “gives noticably more effort at contract time” re Amare
"Each in turn... volunteered his suggestions, his invaluable suggestions."
by Xiane on Jun 25, 2010 6:59 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Amare can keep it movin
never have liked that guy, hes a diva, lazy sometimes player and thats the opposite of wat this team and org is about
Rockets-Texans-Dynamo-Longhorn fan.. used to be Astros too, but not sure there a pro team anymore
Don't count on a trade
I think the rockets reall like the team they are building. A lot of people were talking up PatPat’s ability to play the 3. In a world with Durant and Lebron, that might be handy
"Each in turn... volunteered his suggestions, his invaluable suggestions."
by Xiane on Jun 25, 2010 6:56 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I was confused when he mentioned that Patterson wouldn’t mind playing the 3 if the team needs it. I would have thought he would have said the 5 since we have Chuck who is shorter than Patterson. Do you think he meant that he could play the 3 on defense against the bigger 3s in the league?
Talking about Center
I just looked at the current roster and Jefferies is 1" taller and about 5lbs heavier than Hill. He is good at taking charges and at this point is a better defender than Hill. Jefferies could be the Mutumbo of the team. I don’t know if he is a better shot blocker than Hill though.
Jeffries is even softer than Hill
And has less room on his frame for added bulk.
He is a third stringer.
Jefferies can be effective in short burts to boost the defese
He led the NBA in charges last year and he came up big for us defensively in a few games before he got injured. I think he could have a Chuck Hayes, defensive specialist kind of role with the team next year if they stay put.
On the Bill Simmons podcast
he and Chad Ford were talking about why the Amare trade didn’t get done, and apparently it’s because the story got leaked and each team thought the other one did it, so they didn’t think they could trust each other. I recommend listening to the newest podcast, they talk about a lot of draft and free agent stuff. They also give some inside info on Lebron in the 2nd part.
New guy here
Voted for a B because I was really hoping for someone like a DeMarcus Cousins. But I think it would’ve taken way too much to be trade up for a top 5 pick.
Didn’t think Patrick Patterson would last to the Rockets no. 14 pick, I’m glad he did. Next to Cousins, he was the one guy I would’ve wanted the Rockets to trade up for (apparently they didn’t need to do it)
The Rockets would probably have to get that back-up center from free agency and there a couple of names that intrigue me: Przybilla, Haywood, and Anthony.
Haywood might be too pricey for a back-up though.
Welcome aboard
If you see lots of BS coming out of any post it is probably mine.
I would like Favors from what I have heard but Cousins seems like a disaster from the start.
Led his conference in technicals, already seems overly cocky and arrogant. Add in his out of shape status for the draft, his BS “sea food and whatever” diet and I think he will be a problem child for years.
Lets hope for Haywood, him or trading for Perkins (if his knee is ok) would be ideal. Next level I think is Miller or Joel.
We will have to trade PP or Hill probably for someone, so be prepared for that unless mgmt sees Hill turning into an effective center.
Next year is going to kick ass. We should have a welcome back party for Yao!
Haywood or Perk would be perfect back-ups to Yao
Can play big minutes in case Yao isn’t as ready to play as he seems and the Rockets wouldn’t be missing a beat on defense by having either one of them in the game.
Hill at C seems like a good idea. He looks like he has a body that could fill in nicely.
Wouldn’t mind PP being involved in a trade if it were for a guy like LeBron or Bosh. Amar’e is a player I’d rather stay away from.
I give the pick a B, i
was hoping we got Udoh, because he is 6’10 and a great shot blocker. I noticed Golden State drafted him, and Toronto drafted a power forward, meaning if we make a trade with either team they may not want Hill, or Patterson, but a veteran pf like Scola. Minesota also got a couple bigs so a trade with them is still possible. Patterson looks pretty good but lacks height.
by since86rocketsfan on Jun 26, 2010 3:24 PM CDT reply actions
I voted B but I think its more int the B+/A- range
Great value pick, he has a very good character, and the dude can play. The way I see it, last year we had Landry, this year we have Hill and Patterson, not bad at all.
Congrats on getting PPat!!
Y’all surely got a class act in Patrick Patterson. Not only is he athletic and very talented, but I guarantee you that he will do whatever is asked of him to make the team work. Patterson is selfless and dedicated and a definite team player. He is an amazing athlete on the court and a true class act off. I truely hated to see him go. Having Patterson and Hayes on the same team is a Wildcat fan’s dream. :) I am new to the NBA but I plan to try and follow in the upcoming year. I sure hope y’all wont mind me dropping by – I plan on staying supportive of Patterson and cheering him and the Rockets on.
Congrats again guys!
It is not worth an intelligent man’s time to be in the majority. By definition, there are already enough people to do that.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Jun 26, 2010 10:31 PM CDT reply actions
We have a LOT of nice pieces...
Patterson is one more. Solid “B” pick. I follow KY pretty closely and this kid will not disappoint us. He will do whatever we ask him to do, and he has skills.
The problem as I see it, and if Morey does his job it’s not really a problem, is that we have way more “B” assets than we can use. It seems to me we have a ton of picks and players to offer. All the big free agents can get the most $$$ in a sign and trade so you have to figure/hope Morey is going to unload some assets to pick up a big time player. I think those of you who are seeing holes in our lineup are going to pleasantly surprised.
Keep the faith on the big free agents. The Rockets have a lot to offer, and if Cleveland/Toronto management has any sense they just might decide to send their talent out west so they only see them twice a year. I just can’t see Lebron, for example, going to Chicago when they play Cleveland five times a year. Unless Lebron doesn’t care about the $$$……
In my best Don Corleone voice, Morey is gonna make somebody an offer they can’t refuse.
with the new CBA comming up,
he prolli be making more money than he will be next year with either options S/T or FA. And Nike/Sprite/All-State/McDonalds still continues to pay him big bucks. Might as well take max contract lose out on the 6 milish over the long run, win some rings, and start a new line under Nike and get royalties.
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