30 Teams, 30 Days: Houston Draft Preview

2007-2008 Finish: 55-27
2008 Draft Picks: 25th, 54th

Pre-Draft 2008-09 Projected Starters:
PG Rafer Alston
SG Tracy McGrady
SF Shane Battier
PF Luis Scola
C Yao Ming
Key Reserves:
SG Bobby Jackson
PG Aaron Brooks
SG Luther Head
PF Carl Landry

What the Rockets Do Well:

The Rockets had a memorable season. They had an unbelievable stretch were they won 22 games in a row, the second longest streak in NBA history behind the Los Angeles Lakers? 33-game streak back in 1971-72. But as usual, it all came crashing down in the first round of the playoffs.

Yao Ming was a force during the season until his season-ending injury basically pushed the Rockets into postseason obscurity. The Chinese big man led the team in scoring (22.0 ppg), rebounding (10.8 rpg), and blocking shots (2.02 bpg). The majority of The Streak went on after his injury, but without him in a postseason series, the Rockets really didn?t stand a chance.

Tracy McGrady continued to take the heat for another early exit. He was a warrior this season, delivering a high quality overall performance, averaging 21.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and a team-high 5.9 assists. In Game 6 of the first round in Utah, McGrady tried to rally his troops into a decisive Game 7 by scoring 40 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out 5 dimes. But in the end, the result was the same.

Rafer Alston provided a spark this year and was very effective as the lead guard of Rick Adelman?s offense. His 13.1 points and 5.3 assists were key in setting up this team to win.

There were two big surprises this year for the fans of Houston ? the play of Luis Scola and rookie Carl Landry. Scola came over to America and was a consistent player for the Rockets down low. Fitting perfectly as the starting power forward, he delivered 10.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and solid team play around the paint.

Landry came out of nowhere and was a sparkplug off the bench. He was one of the most efficient players in the NBA, averaging 8.1 points and 4.9 rebounds on an alarming 61.6% shooting from the floor in only 16.9 minutes per game! That?s a per-48 average of 23.2 points and 14.0 rebounds, and his 61.6% shooting would have put him third in the NBA had he qualified for enough minutes played.

Greatest Areas of Improvement:

Another Scoring Option
Let?s face it ? when Yao goes down again, the Rockets just don?t have enough firepower. They are way too much in trouble trying to rely on Rafer Alston, Luis Scola, and Shane Battier for buckets. Tracy McGrady is a true scorer in every sense of the word, but he must hate being the single point of failure for this Rockets' team over the past 4 years. Get him a scoring sidekick, and maybe this team can finally take off out of the first round.

Big Men Under 40 Years Old?Or Is It 50?
With the (hopeful) retirement of Dikembe Mutombo, the Rockets will have some very big and very old shoes to fill. The Rockets have had luck with second round big men over the past two years, grabbing Chuck Hayes and Carl Landry later than earlier. They also used a savvy front office move to get Luis Scola over from San Antonio. However, once the standard Yao Ming injury occurs in midseason, they will once again be faced with role players trying to supply the punch from the inside. Taking another big man would help strengthen their interior game.

Who?s Gone Number 25 Recently?

Over the past five years, shooting guards appear the pick of choice. Aside from Seattle taking a flyer on Johan Petro in 2005, the 25th pick has been used to grab shooting guards ? Morris Almond, Shannon Brown, Tony Allen, and Carlos Delfino all play the shooting guard or wing position, and all have been marginal at best, thus fa,r in their careers.

2007
Morris Almond, Utah Jazz

2006
Shannon Brown, Cleveland Cavaliers

2005
Johan Petro, Seattle Supersonics

2004
Tony Allen, Boston Celtics

2003
Carlos Delfino, Detroit Pistons

Who Should the Rockets Target?

For more in-depth analysis and background regarding the players that the Rockets should target in this year?s Draft, click on each player name to be redirected to Christopher Reina?s Prospect Report piece.

Nicolas Batum of France

Well, the Rockets could really use a young, talented, athletic, versatile scoring threat from the wing position, but who would fit that description perfectly? Hmmmm?Rudy Gay? Since the Rockets already traded him away last year for Shane Battier, maybe they can go ahead and select the guy who resembles Rudy the most. Batum has the tools to become as good as Gay and the skill set ? will the Rockets look to grab the talented Frenchman? Will he be long gone?

Jason Thompson of Rider

Thompson is a more mature player who could be a good fit for the Rockets immediately. His versatile game allows him to play inside or out, and his fluidity up and down the court would work wonders with Rafer leading the break. Because he went to a small school in New Jersey, many will look past him at the Draft ? this is where the Rockets can find another diamond in the rough.

Chris Douglas-Roberts of Memphis

If the Rockets want to split the scoring workload to another option, CDR is as good as it gets. The leading scorer for the national runner-up Memphis Tigers is a prolific scorer and would make it nearly impossible for opponents to stop him and McGrady on the same floor. Another option that selecting CDR will open up could be the possibility of dealing McGrady away to Detroit for a delicious package centered around Rasheed Wallace. Imagine Sheed next to Yao with Landry and Scola off the bench ? West opponents don?t want to?

Picks Over the Past Five Years

The Rockets really haven?t had many picks over the past five years, but they have become comfortable dealing for different players on Draft Day. They turned the 8th pick in 2006 into Shane Battier, and were able to land Carl Landry from Seattle in last year?s draft (picked 1st in the second round, 31st overall) for cash and a future second rounder ? aka nothing.

2007
Aaron Brooks, 26th
Brad Newley, 54th

2006
Rudy Gay, 8th (traded to Memphis)
Steve Novak, 32nd

2005
Luther Head, 25th

2004
Luis Flores, 55th

2003
Malick Badiane, 44th

Previous Editions of the 30 Teams, 30 Days Series

Whom do you want the Rockets to draft at number 25? Feel free to contact Jason M. Williams with your thoughts. He can be reached at Jason.Williams@RealGM.com for comments and questions.

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