Morey on Rockets 2009 NBA Draft Picks
HOUSTON, TX -- Daryl Morey, Houston Rockets general manager, spoke with the media Thursday night after the Rockets acquired the draft rights to shooting guard Jermaine Taylor (UCF), wing player Chase Budinger (Arizona), and point guard Sergio Llull (Real Madrid in Spain).
"We picked up Jermaine Taylor (6'5") from Central Florida first (32nd overall from the Washington Wizards). One of the best scorers in college this past year. Very strong. Can shoot. Athletic. A guy that faced significant defensive attention - double, triple teams while he was at Central Florida - obviously in a down conference; but, he played well against top opponents.
"Sergio Llull (34th overall from the Denver Nuggets), is a point guard from Real Madrid. He's sort of a combo guard. He plays the 1 and 2. A big guard (6'3"). We saw him as the second best international point guard in the Draft. We were excited to get him when we got him. We see him as someone who can help down the road.
"Finally, Chase Budinger (6'7") from Arizona. Very skilled. Very athletic. He helped Arizona win a lot of games over the last three years. He can shoot. He can pass. He can run the floor. We feel good about what we were able to accomplish.
"Mr. Alexander (Rockets' owner Les Alexander) really stepped up tonight for the Rockets. I gotta thank the fans and the season-ticket holders who, obviously, make this possible as well."
These three trades, reportedly, cost the Rockets $6 M.
Taylor and Budinger are expected to compete on the Rockets' Summer League team; but, Llull is expected to stay overseas. Llull has two years remaining on his contract with Real Madrid.
Morey described Taylor as "a scorer. He's somebody who's very hard to guard. We just feel like with McGrady being questionable to start the year - that offensive punch that Jermaine could bring is a need we had. Plus, we thought he was one of the best guys available for where we got him."
While more and more NBA teams are planning to limit expenses and carry 13 or 14 players on a roster, the Rockets are expected to carry a full 15-man roster for the 2009 - 2010 season.
"We'll probably carry 15; and, we'll probably have some non-guaranteed (contracts) in there to keep our flexibility," Morey said.
"We picked up Jermaine Taylor (6'5") from Central Florida first (32nd overall from the Washington Wizards). One of the best scorers in college this past year. Very strong. Can shoot. Athletic. A guy that faced significant defensive attention - double, triple teams while he was at Central Florida - obviously in a down conference; but, he played well against top opponents.
"Sergio Llull (34th overall from the Denver Nuggets), is a point guard from Real Madrid. He's sort of a combo guard. He plays the 1 and 2. A big guard (6'3"). We saw him as the second best international point guard in the Draft. We were excited to get him when we got him. We see him as someone who can help down the road.
"Finally, Chase Budinger (6'7") from Arizona. Very skilled. Very athletic. He helped Arizona win a lot of games over the last three years. He can shoot. He can pass. He can run the floor. We feel good about what we were able to accomplish.
"Mr. Alexander (Rockets' owner Les Alexander) really stepped up tonight for the Rockets. I gotta thank the fans and the season-ticket holders who, obviously, make this possible as well."
These three trades, reportedly, cost the Rockets $6 M.
Taylor and Budinger are expected to compete on the Rockets' Summer League team; but, Llull is expected to stay overseas. Llull has two years remaining on his contract with Real Madrid.
Morey described Taylor as "a scorer. He's somebody who's very hard to guard. We just feel like with McGrady being questionable to start the year - that offensive punch that Jermaine could bring is a need we had. Plus, we thought he was one of the best guys available for where we got him."
While more and more NBA teams are planning to limit expenses and carry 13 or 14 players on a roster, the Rockets are expected to carry a full 15-man roster for the 2009 - 2010 season.
"We'll probably carry 15; and, we'll probably have some non-guaranteed (contracts) in there to keep our flexibility," Morey said.
posted by Kris G @ 9:14 AM
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