Houston Rockets rookies…
Ready to blast off?
By Earl K. Sneed
Last season, the Houston Rockets struck “Black Gold” when they selected Argentina’s Luis Scola with the 56th pick in the second round. The 6-9 forward raised a lot of eyebrows across the L, finishing third in the Rookie of the Year voting to Kevin Durant and Al Horford, with a rookie campaign that saw him average 10 points and six rebounds, before elevating those totals to 14 and nine in the Rockets’ first round exit to Utah. Now, after a plethora of Draft Day trades, GM Daryl Morey and Head Coach Rick Adelman are hoping that they have found a rookie that can duplicate Scola’s output.
While Donte Greene, Joey Dorsey and Maarty Leunen likely will not assist Tracy McGrady in leading the Rockets to 22-straight wins, as Scola did, they maybe the final pieces to the puzzle for the Rockets and T-Mac to get out of the first round of the playoffs, a jigsaw that T-Mac is still trying to put together. If any of these three live up to their potential, and Yao Ming returns healthy next season from the stress fracture in his left foot that he suffered in February, then T-Mac may have the best supporting cast since the start of his tenure in Houston. So let’s look at what Greene, Dorsey and Leunen bring to Clutch City:
Donte Greene is a 6-11 small forward in the mold of T-Mac, so he will have the opportunity to learn from the man himself. In his lone season at Syracuse, Greene lead the ‘Cuse’ in scoring (17.7ppg) and was second in rebounds (7.2 rpg), earning him Second Team All-Big East honors and a spot on the conference’s All-Rookie Team. The athletic and long Greene lived up to the hype with Syracuse that followed him coming out of his Maryland high school, but his shoot selection is suspect. Greene shoot just over 41 percent from the field, with questionable three point shooting (a .345 shooting percentage) often showcasing his youth and bad decision-making. At age 20, Greene is still a raw talent, but if T-Mac can take him under his wings, Greene’s upside is unimaginable. While it is not expected that Greene will get a lot of PT early on, his game could prove to develop to All-Star quality over time, along the same lines of Rashard Lewis.
Daryl Morey says Joey Dorsey is the best defensive player in this year’s class of draftees. Dorsey may prove to be the second coming of Ben Wallace, in a 6-7 body. What Dorsey lacks in height, has makes up for with athleticism and hustle plays. Dorsey is strong and wide enough to bang with power forwards in the paint, and his ability to block shots, rebound and get up the court makes him the ideal fit to put next to Yao Ming. At Memphis last season, Dorsey was on the receiving end of countless lobs from Derrick Rose. Now, Dorsey’s ability to run the court in the transition game will fit well with Skip-to-My-Lou and T-Mac, and will likely lead to a lot of finishes above the rim. Dorsey is a tremendous rebounder, and his game figures to fall in perfectly next to Scola as the hustle players on the first and second units. Dorsey seems to be a “can’t miss” player at the next level, and will likely have a long career as an interior defensive specialist. He is not near the project that Greene is, nor does he have the upside of Greene, but he will be ready to play from Day 1.
Lastly, don’t expect to see Maarty Leunen at all this season. Morey has plans to play Leunen overseas, while holding on to his rights, should they decide to ship him elsewhere or if his game expands out to be NBA ready in a year or so. In his senior season at Oregon, Leunen averaged 15 points and 9 boards a game in the PAC-10, showing that he could help a team as a role player as some point. Leunen is scouted as a jump-shooting four at the next level, that should space the floor if he is ever paired with Yao Ming, but with Steve Novak already playing that role in Houston, there is no reason to waste Leunen’s development. While it is unclear if Leunen will ever suit up in a Rocket’s uniform, his value as trade bait depends on what potential he shows overseas.
While the player that the Rockets’ staff coveted was Greene, Dorsey’s impact should be felt right away as a team enforcer, on a team that lacks a fierce imposing figure. Dorsey may develop the offensive game that no one sees coming to accompany his defensive parlous, and if so then expect a big rookie season from the C-USA Defensive Player of the Year. If Greene reaches his potential then T-Mac may have his No.2 guy in a few years, and he could ultimately be the player that takes the torch from McGrady down the line. So, in the land where Texas billionaires make their fortune in the oil mines, the Rockets may have stroke “black gold” twice this summer.
Earl Sneed is a SLAMonline Contributor. You can contact him at earlksneed@aol.com.
63 Responses to “Houston Rockets rookies…”
Jul.1 at 5:34 pm
AP says:
I hope this is all true
Jul.1 at 5:40 pm
Earl "E.Sneed" Sneed says:
AP, It could be wishful thinking…but I think Greene and Dorsey are diamonds in the rough!
Jul.1 at 5:47 pm
Jer Boi says:
greene is the man..i wish he stayed another year though..
Jul.1 at 6:28 pm
jsmee2000 says:
Get your facts straight! Luis Scola was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in 2002 with the 55th pick.
Jul.1 at 6:29 pm
albie1kenobi says:
i root for the rockets, but all these almost sound too good to be true, not to mention aren’t Wild Ass Chuck Hayes and Carl Landry play just like Dorsey?
Jul.1 at 6:31 pm
bobrek says:
Uhhhhh, the Rockets did not draft Scola. The Spurs drafted him a number of years ago and traded his rights to the Rockets prior to last season.
Jul.1 at 7:19 pm
matt caputo says:
Greene is really good. As a part-time Cuse fan, I sad to see the kid go. Should make for a solid pro though.
Jul.1 at 7:22 pm
Earl "E.Sneed" Sneed says:
Greene would have been a lottery pick with another year in…he is a still… Albie: do you really think Hayes and Landry will get more burn than Dorsey?!
Jul.1 at 7:23 pm
Earl "E.Sneed" Sneed says:
*steal
Jul.1 at 7:58 pm
huh? says:
Wasn’t Scola drafted by the Spurs and traded to the Rockets?
Jul.1 at 8:07 pm
Tuan says:
The Rockets got Scola from the Spurs, the spurs selected Scola. Do some research. I hope you don’t depend on writing about basketball to pay your bills.
Jul.1 at 8:44 pm
Miranda says:
Just thought I would correct a misconception in your article. Scola wasn’t drafted with the Rockets 56th pick last year. Scola wasn’t even drafted last year. He was drafted by the Spurs in the second round in 2002. He was a 27 year old rookie. And for Earl, until Dorsey proves himself in practice he will be behind the other players in the rotation. That’s just how Adelman seems to work. Landry got PT after he hustled his tail off in practice and then when he got the shot on the court produced. Scola was traded to the Rockets from San Antonio strictly with the Rockets understanding that he was good enough to take Hayes’ starting position. Basically Morey stole him from the Spurs with the promise of an expiring contract.
Jul.1 at 8:58 pm
iLL wiLL says:
Luis Scola was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs a few years back and acquired by the Rockets last season, was he not?
Jul.1 at 9:18 pm
BETCATS says:
you guys in the H got some deals. I wish all five of us bobcat fans out in the world could say the same thing
Jul.1 at 9:26 pm
iLL wiLL says:
Micheal Jordan is a horrible GM.
Jul.1 at 10:18 pm
Earl "E.Sneed" Sneed says:
Will, you’re right, San Anton drafted Scola and traded his rights in 07′…
Jul.1 at 10:18 pm
Hursty says:
Darryl Morey is possibly the most underrated GM in the L right now. He makes consistently good moves with staffing as shown by the 2 assistants being strongly looked at by PHX and the Bucks. He managed to get those three players in the draft for only Nicholas Batum back. He got an extra 2nd round pick, 1 more player and cash considerations. Click my name for more details.
The team that Houston has is full of strong role players e.g scrappy hustle players, undersized PF’s in Hayes and Landry (who will eventually play minutes at 3), sharp shooters in Head and Novak, great centre in Yao and all nba defence in Battier (see him lock up Kobe?) Skip was one of the most improved players last year behind Ellis and Martin. Aaron Brooks needs more P.T to improve (he made big steps at the end of the season), Scola and Landry will both get closer to double doubles with more minutes and experience.
Jul.1 at 10:19 pm
Hursty says:
Scola was drafted 2002
Jul.1 at 10:20 pm
Hursty says:
Greene is a wildcard. He can do a lot of things but shooting 7!! 3 pointers a game at the SF/PF is not how hes going to survive in the league.
Jul.1 at 10:22 pm
RV says:
earl, there’s a vid of some funny moments with the rookies during their first press conference, would go perfect with this post
Jul.1 at 10:22 pm
Earl "E.Sneed" Sneed says:
yeah, Scola was drafted in 02′ and played in the Euroleague til his rights got traded to Houston
Jul.1 at 10:30 pm
Hursty says:
Landry is (supposedly) developing a 3 point shot. He could already shoot from around the freethrow line so if he can get that done he’ll be an awesome interior force. Hayes should probably go but since he only earns 500,000 or something obscenely low he can be shipped to some other place with Head and BJax for a 1st round pick.
Jul.1 at 10:31 pm
RV says:
@albie: Dorsey isnt like Hayes or landry, even though they are all undersized PFs they have different games. Thats the good thing, but also a weakness. They can all hustle and finish 5 feet from the rim, but Landry has a J and hops, Dorsey has hops and great D, Hayes has great passing and basketball IQ….i wish there was a way to make a 3 headed monster. If dorsey can develop a J then Landry is out, if Landry keeps exapnding his J out to the 3 pt line though, Hayes will likely be out, but houston will keep all 3 unless they desperately need a specific player.
Jul.1 at 10:32 pm
RV says:
Earl, i posted the link incase you want to add the clip
Jul.1 at 10:33 pm
Teddy-the-Bear says:
Awesome article, I totally agree. I’m really excited about the Rockets’ picks this year, Dorsey especially. They will have a much tougher team this upcoming year, don’t forget the fact that the soon-to-be sophomore Carl Landry is there as well. He’ll prove to the world this year just how good he really is, just keep your eyes peeled. Go Rockets!!!!!!!!
Jul.1 at 10:33 pm
Earl "E.Sneed" Sneed says:
I wouldn’t send Luther Head anywhere until Brooks puts up numbers for a full season…
Jul.1 at 10:34 pm
Teddy-the-Bear says:
And don’t underestimate Landry, E. Sneed. Dorsey and him will make a nice pair.
Jul.1 at 10:36 pm
Earl "E.Sneed" Sneed says:
Teddy: I’m not sleeping on Landry, I think he will be around much longer than Hayes will, but I don’t see him getting more burn than Dorsey
Jul.1 at 10:37 pm
RV says:
and dont be surprised if Dorsey starts later in the season, he’d compliment Yao better than Scola so i can see Scola getting minutes with the second unit, but mainly it will depend on matchups. Also, from what Morey has been saying, they don’t expect for Greene to get much PT next yr, maybe if he comes out smoking in the summer league then they’ll give him a shot, but he could possibly ride the bench all year
Jul.1 at 10:39 pm
DP says:
I hope Greene is a better pro than college player. Horrible season. but potential.
Jul.1 at 10:40 pm
Earl "E.Sneed" Sneed says:
RV: I think Donte is going to get a lot of quality time with the bench, unfortunately! It makes no since to make moves to get your guy, and then bench him, but that’s what Morey plans to do
Jul.1 at 10:40 pm
RV says:
also, there is a small chance the Rockets won’t match offers for Landry, their asking him for more in depth examinations on his knee before they start matching offers, it has still been acting up, it could limit how much Houston will match, before they were willing to match ANY offer, not so much now.
Jul.1 at 10:43 pm
Hursty says:
They HAVE to have landry back RV.
how come I leave and then all my blog team decide to come back?
Jul.1 at 10:43 pm
RV says:
well they have been trying to make moves every year where they help the team now and also in the future, last year scola was a now and brooks was the future, this year dorsey is now and greene is the future, kinda smart in a way so they have something later on to fall on and its not interfering with them winning now.
Jul.1 at 10:46 pm
Earl "E.Sneed" Sneed says:
But they still need a surefire 3rd option consistently, and they don’t have that…not Skip, not Shane…not Scola…not B-Jack…that No.3 guy ain’t there
Jul.1 at 10:47 pm
RV says:
Earl do you have moderation powers to moderate my link? Some info on the clip, first team owner Les Alexander’s cell interrupts the conference, then Dorsey grades Morey’s moves as an “A”, only to have Morey crack on him, finally Dorsey says he’s “ray lewis with a basketball”
Jul.1 at 10:51 pm
Hursty says:
Skip stepped up late last year and we know Battier can score see his Memphis stats but he knocks down that corner 3 with regularity. If theres 4 guys all giving 10 points each game and two 15 point scorers and two 20+ your doing ok.
Jul.1 at 10:56 pm
RV says:
Oh they’re not done dealing yet, Morey has said he expects more moves and/or FA signings, but probably not until its closer to training camp. They’re definitely actively pursuing trades. I went over some of that on DP’s blog (click name)
Jul.1 at 10:59 pm
Earl "E.Sneed" Sneed says:
no I don’t RV, that would have to be Sam or Ben
Jul.1 at 11:00 pm
Earl "E.Sneed" Sneed says:
I think they will make a run at Brent Barry! Just a hunch…
Jul.1 at 11:06 pm
iLL wiLL says:
The image of Carl Landry launching three point shots makes me cringe and giggle at the same time.
Jul.1 at 11:07 pm
RV says:
LOL, that story came out today, yeah looks like they are making an offer to Bones already, there’s also a rumor that they’ll make an offer to Horry
Jul.1 at 11:08 pm
Earl "E.Sneed" Sneed says:
they need to stay away from Big Shot Rob….
Jul.1 at 11:09 pm
RV says:
well anyone who wants to see the clip can youtube “dorsey ray lewis”
Jul.1 at 11:13 pm
RV says:
horry is itching to come back here and since he’s somewhat upset at how badly he played this season he may come in with something to prove, for the vet’s minimum i dont think it would be a bad move, maybe if we ship Hayes out and cut Loren Woods.
Jul.1 at 11:15 pm
Earl "E.Sneed" Sneed says:
Woods may get cut anyways,but Horry is not the guy he once was…as evident all season long!
Jul.1 at 11:27 pm
RV says:
There might be some open spots left, i have the feeling if a trade happens we’ll ship out a couple guys for just one.
Jul.1 at 11:29 pm
Dacre says:
Hursty… “click my name click my name…”
you must tell people to ‘click’ you atleast 4 times a week. ^_^
Jul.1 at 11:30 pm
Dacre says:
Horry was getting old two years ago… today he IS OLD. sorry big shot.
Jul.1 at 11:37 pm
Hursty says:
@Dacre- its just shameless marketing/flaunting. Your just jealous that JJJ doesnt play your music. Unearthed barely gets airtime. Oh, I probly do it….. 6 or 7 times.More if its especially relevant.
Jul.1 at 11:55 pm
Dave Kamin says:
The Rockets drafted an Israeli two years ago… what about him?
Jul.2 at 12:04 am
DP says:
batum is better than greene rockets fans.
Jul.2 at 12:05 am
Hursty says:
really? cant remember that…. dacre im j/k though. If i didnt ‘advertise’ the product how is it supposed to be recognised?
Jul.2 at 12:07 am
Hursty says:
that was @ Dave Kamin DP. But your correct. I liked the 3rd song dacre, but the audio is kinda scratchy.
Jul.2 at 12:09 am
Hursty says:
whens that stuff coming up on the blog?
Jul.2 at 12:37 am
RV says:
Dave, he’s still too raw, playing overseas for now
Jul.2 at 10:37 am
DB says:
good article man! I think Landry, Dorsey, and Scola offer young and energetic toughness. If Landry can consistently knock down the 15′ then it will be hard to keep him off the floor. But at the end of the day we need a consistent 15pt/gm guard off the bench to really make some noise come playoff time. Ideally, someone in the Ginobli mold who can attack the basket, but we will see who Morey can bring with a mid level salary.
Jul.2 at 12:21 pm
Nick says:
Sneed: no hunch. The rockets called brent barry the minute (literally) free agency opened. Big shot Rob too. I would trade luther head for a can of baked beans.
Jul.2 at 2:12 pm
Richie says:
Wouldnt the Rockets have been better off keeping Rudy Gay instead of trading for Battiera couple years ago? Do you think Greene will develop into a versatile player like Rudy?
Jul.2 at 4:14 pm
RV says:
Richie: guys like battier are harder to come by than Rudy Gays…he is a great talent, but he wasn’t exactly a Lebron or Kobe or the Rockets knew there would be another opportunity later on, Battier was and still is a great investment for the team. Greene is more Rashard Lewis than Rudy Gay, he’s not as electrifying as Gay, and he’s more of a shooter like Rashard.
Jul.2 at 4:54 pm
bOBbY DIgITAl says:
Richie dont remind us Rocket fans about that trade….i cry at night about that trade….battiers been good…but rudy would of been that ever so important 3rd scorer we needed
Jul.2 at 10:44 pm
Dacre says:
Hursty says:
@Dacre- its just shameless marketing/flaunting. Your just jealous that JJJ doesnt play your music. Unearthed barely gets airtime. Oh, I probly do it….. 6 or 7 times.More if its especially relevant.
________________________________________________
I don’t mind - Two songs were ranked pretty high when they were loaded up earlier this year.
________________________________________________
SHAMELESSLY FLAUNT AWAY!!!!
^_^
Jul.2 at 10:52 pm
Hursty says:
@ Dacre-