Indazone
06-26-2009, 12:48 AM
Shooters targeted
Rockets use second-round picks to select scorers Taylor, Budinger
By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
June 26, 2009, 12:28AM
Complete Rockets coverage
The Rockets never quite got into the first-round of the NBA Draft on Thursday, but once they began getting picks, they did not stop until they had three selections in the second round.
And they might not be done yet.
The Rockets bought three second-round picks and used them to acquire high-scoring Central Florida guard Jermaine Taylor, Real Madrid point guard prospect Sergio Llull and athletic Arizona wing Chase Budinger.
They went hard after several early first-round picks, and an NBA executive with knowledge of their trade talks said late Thursday that the Rockets are among several teams still trying to acquire Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio, one of several point guards selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Rubio was the fifth player taken in the draft, one spot before the Timberwolves took Syracuse point guard Jonny Flynn.
For now, however, the Rockets believed they added two players, Taylor and Budinger, with the sort of offensive games they coveted, and a project point guard with potential to grow. According to a person with knowledge of the deals, they spent roughly $6 million to acquire the picks. They will send a conditional second-round pick to Detroit to complete the deal for Budinger.
“We feel the two guys who are going to stay in the US are talented guys who might contribute,” Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said. “We feel like Sergio Llull is an extremely talented point guard, a big point guard which are hard to find. We feel like he is a real good bet as a trade asset or to bring over some day.”
Taylor, acquired with the second pick of the second round, using the Washington Wizards’ pick, was one of the most prolific scorers in the draft, averaging 26.2 points as a senior on 48 percent shooting to earn Conference-USA Player of the Year honors.
Taylor, 22, left little doubt about what he considers to be the quality he can bring the Rockets.
“They know I’m a scorer,” Taylor said. “I don’t think they would bring me in to do something else besides (being) a scorer.”
Asked his strengths and weaknesses, Taylor went back to the ability and determination to put the ball in the basket.
“I have a scorer’s mentality,” he said, sticking to the theme. “I have a knack for putting the ball in the hoop. I know how to do that. That’s what I’m good at. That’s what I’ve been doing all my life. I’m not expecting it to change right now. I’m going to keep on doing what I do best.”
Finally, when asked again if there was anything else besides scoring he would bring, Taylor said “My, size, I have all the tools that I need to be a good defensive player.”
With that, he went back to his strength.
“Not only can I score,” Taylor said, “I’m a good shooter.
Morey’s scouting report was no different.
“He’s a scorer,” Morey said. “He’s a guy you can get the ball to, he can beat his man. If he draws defensive attention, he can pass. He’s somebody very hard to guard. He’s somebody, with (Tracy) McGrady a little bit questionable to start the year, that offensive punch Jermaine can bring is a need we had. Plus, we thought he’s one of the best guys available where we got him. For those two reasons, we were pretty aggressive to get him.”
Two picks later, the Rockets acquired the Oklahoma City Thunder pick from the Denver Nuggets to pick up the rights to Llull, a 6-3 point guard with two seasons remaining on his contract with Real Madrid, one of the top European teams.
The Rockets acquired Budinger, who described himself as “a playmaker,” with the 44th pick of the draft, acquired from the Pistons. Budinger, an extremely athletic 6-7 wing, averaged 18 points on 48 percent shooting as a senior, gaining national attention when he was stomped in the face while down on the floor by the University of Houston’s Aubrey Coleman.
"One of the best players on the board, (he is) also one with the skill package that is pretty hard to find,” Morey said. “There weren’t many players in this draft – and we got two of them – who can shoot, pass and get to the basket. Chase is one of the better athletes in the draft. He’s a world class volleyball athlete. We think he can be a pretty good basketball player.”
Llull (pronounced Yull) is certain to remain overseas next season, but the Rockets hope to sign Budinger and Taylor and have spots on next season’s roster.
The Rockets has spent the night chasing players more likely to earn roster and rotations spots. Taylor, however, was thrilled with the way things worked out.
“I’m so excited,” Taylor said. “This is something I‘ve been waiting for since I can remember. Now it’s here. I’m excited. I don’t even know what to think right now.
I’m so excited to be an NBA player, I can’t even think right now.”
[email protected]
Rockets use second-round picks to select scorers Taylor, Budinger
By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
June 26, 2009, 12:28AM
Complete Rockets coverage
The Rockets never quite got into the first-round of the NBA Draft on Thursday, but once they began getting picks, they did not stop until they had three selections in the second round.
And they might not be done yet.
The Rockets bought three second-round picks and used them to acquire high-scoring Central Florida guard Jermaine Taylor, Real Madrid point guard prospect Sergio Llull and athletic Arizona wing Chase Budinger.
They went hard after several early first-round picks, and an NBA executive with knowledge of their trade talks said late Thursday that the Rockets are among several teams still trying to acquire Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio, one of several point guards selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Rubio was the fifth player taken in the draft, one spot before the Timberwolves took Syracuse point guard Jonny Flynn.
For now, however, the Rockets believed they added two players, Taylor and Budinger, with the sort of offensive games they coveted, and a project point guard with potential to grow. According to a person with knowledge of the deals, they spent roughly $6 million to acquire the picks. They will send a conditional second-round pick to Detroit to complete the deal for Budinger.
“We feel the two guys who are going to stay in the US are talented guys who might contribute,” Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said. “We feel like Sergio Llull is an extremely talented point guard, a big point guard which are hard to find. We feel like he is a real good bet as a trade asset or to bring over some day.”
Taylor, acquired with the second pick of the second round, using the Washington Wizards’ pick, was one of the most prolific scorers in the draft, averaging 26.2 points as a senior on 48 percent shooting to earn Conference-USA Player of the Year honors.
Taylor, 22, left little doubt about what he considers to be the quality he can bring the Rockets.
“They know I’m a scorer,” Taylor said. “I don’t think they would bring me in to do something else besides (being) a scorer.”
Asked his strengths and weaknesses, Taylor went back to the ability and determination to put the ball in the basket.
“I have a scorer’s mentality,” he said, sticking to the theme. “I have a knack for putting the ball in the hoop. I know how to do that. That’s what I’m good at. That’s what I’ve been doing all my life. I’m not expecting it to change right now. I’m going to keep on doing what I do best.”
Finally, when asked again if there was anything else besides scoring he would bring, Taylor said “My, size, I have all the tools that I need to be a good defensive player.”
With that, he went back to his strength.
“Not only can I score,” Taylor said, “I’m a good shooter.
Morey’s scouting report was no different.
“He’s a scorer,” Morey said. “He’s a guy you can get the ball to, he can beat his man. If he draws defensive attention, he can pass. He’s somebody very hard to guard. He’s somebody, with (Tracy) McGrady a little bit questionable to start the year, that offensive punch Jermaine can bring is a need we had. Plus, we thought he’s one of the best guys available where we got him. For those two reasons, we were pretty aggressive to get him.”
Two picks later, the Rockets acquired the Oklahoma City Thunder pick from the Denver Nuggets to pick up the rights to Llull, a 6-3 point guard with two seasons remaining on his contract with Real Madrid, one of the top European teams.
The Rockets acquired Budinger, who described himself as “a playmaker,” with the 44th pick of the draft, acquired from the Pistons. Budinger, an extremely athletic 6-7 wing, averaged 18 points on 48 percent shooting as a senior, gaining national attention when he was stomped in the face while down on the floor by the University of Houston’s Aubrey Coleman.
"One of the best players on the board, (he is) also one with the skill package that is pretty hard to find,” Morey said. “There weren’t many players in this draft – and we got two of them – who can shoot, pass and get to the basket. Chase is one of the better athletes in the draft. He’s a world class volleyball athlete. We think he can be a pretty good basketball player.”
Llull (pronounced Yull) is certain to remain overseas next season, but the Rockets hope to sign Budinger and Taylor and have spots on next season’s roster.
The Rockets has spent the night chasing players more likely to earn roster and rotations spots. Taylor, however, was thrilled with the way things worked out.
“I’m so excited,” Taylor said. “This is something I‘ve been waiting for since I can remember. Now it’s here. I’m excited. I don’t even know what to think right now.
I’m so excited to be an NBA player, I can’t even think right now.”
[email protected]