i wouldn't be surprised if the kings select Porzingis in the draft

funkykingston

Super Moderator
Staff member
Stauskas was limited by Michigan State and Tennessee - not a good sign for immediate readiness, while Frank basically abused every athletic team in his way. I take Willie 10 times out of 10, but Frank will work as a rookie already, if his team can hide him defensively.
Kaminsky to the Heat makes a lot of sense to me. Our old friend Hassan Whiteside being the defensive anchor makes up for a lot of Frank the Tank's deficiencies on D. And offensively he gives you a guy that can operate out of the high post, be effective in the blocks depending on matchups and definitely be a kick out option on the wings. He'd come off the bench behind Bosh and th the nice thing is that the Heat can run all the same action they run for CB.
 
He's doing due diligence. He's going to see for himself and not rely on breakdown tapes sitting in his office. Everything that has come out of the Kings FO is that they want to win now. Porzingas doesn't fit that does he.
If Porzingis blows him away in the work out and he feels he is ready to contribute sooner rather than later, he may still pick him if he feels he is the BPA at #6. But, if he can tell he is 3-4 years away from contributing, then he will pass.

I think the eye test will be critical here.
 

dude12

Hall of Famer
Workout vid

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Kristaps-Porzingis-Workout-Video-5085

Serious upside IMO. His touch, his fluidity at his size, his reach, don't see that too often.
Yep, just watched it.....I'll give him this much....he's intriguing. If Vlade and crew think he's a guy, then take him if he's there. If Sac is trying to win now, sign a FA or 2 or make a trade. Chances are that none of the draft picks are what's going to push this team over the top....that's what FA, trades and a complete camp under Karl is for. Meanwhile keep stockpiling drafted talent but make crappy picks.
 
Workout vid

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Kristaps-Porzingis-Workout-Video-5085

Serious upside IMO. His touch, his fluidity at his size, his reach, don't see that too often.
Yeah, I was waiting for this. It's impressive that he's a legit 7' and moves that well. Also is skilled and shoots it well. The talent is pretty obvious. I like his personality as well, he's not a wimp like Bargnani, there's some grit there. Also encouraging that he speaks English impeccably, shows he's got brains.

But still. He's a twig. That body looks like it could be broken in half.

If he worked out, he'd be a pretty ideal fit next to DeMarcus. But there's some serious risk there.
 
Yeah, I was waiting for this. It's impressive that he's a legit 7' and moves that well. Also is skilled and shoots it well. The talent is pretty obvious. I like his personality as well, he's not a wimp like Bargnani, there's some grit there. Also encouraging that he speaks English impeccably, shows he's got brains.

But still. He's a twig. That body looks like it could be broken in half.

If he worked out, he'd be a pretty ideal fit next to DeMarcus. But there's some serious risk there.
I brought up before that IMO different cultures have more of a natural toughness to them. That's going to play a big part in what he becomes and a guy from Latvia I'd compare more to the mentality of someone from Serbia or Russia, and those types have had a pretty decent track record in the NBA.

He says he's 230 now. I'd say it's a mistake to judge a guy's strength too much on how he looks. AK47 was a twig, Durant's a twig, Giannis is a twig, all were/are more than strong enough. Keon Clark had to add 30 lbs to even be considered a twig. So much of defense is the reading of the game, reactionary speed, timing, lateral quickness and reach, not pure strength.
 
I brought up before that IMO different cultures have more of a natural toughness to them. That's going to play a big part in what he becomes and a guy from Latvia I'd compare more to the mentality of someone from Serbia or Russia, and those types have had a pretty decent track record in the NBA.
No doubt. Eastern Europeans are some of the toughest and scariest mugs in the world. I don't doubt his toughness.

He says he's 230 now. I'd say it's a mistake to judge a guy's strength too much on how he looks. AK47 was a twig, Durant's a twig, Giannis is a twig, all were/are more than strong enough. Keon Clark had to add 30 lbs to even be considered a twig. So much of defense is the reading of the game, reactionary speed, timing, lateral quickness and reach, not pure strength.
He may be 230, hard to tell, but he looks like he's also 7'1''. Good and bad thing. Those guys you mentioned are all SFs (bar Clark obviously), Porzingis is likely going to have to play PF. I don't think he's as quick laterally as those guys, and won't be able to defend SFs. I'm not writing him off, he's clearly very talented and the ceiling is extremely high. I just hope his lack of strength doesn't hinder him.
 
I'd be pissed if we pass cause he's not ready. You don't know that Nik was suppose to be ready but east zach LaVine was a project but after the all star break was a very good player.
 
I've always been very high on Porzinigs, but ever since Vlade said they want players who are ready to contribute, I've focused less on him. He's a very good player with elite skills and tools. AD comes in mind when I watch him and he himself says he watches a lot of AD
 
He's intriguing for sure, and the notion that he's not ready to contribute is a stereotype that Euro's seem to accumulate along with being soft. Mentally he's more ready than any college kid. I will always stand by the notion that having professional experience is better than coming from college. Porzingis and these other Euro guys already know what it's like to play basketball as job, play with grown men who are scrapping day in and day out to keep a job. His frame doesn't really worry me if he is playing next to Cousins and just the state of the NBA and where it's heading. With Cousins bruising inside Porzingis can be a weakside helper like Ibaka. Cousins, Zinger and Gay is CRAZY length for a front 3. I still prefer other guys but I will not think its the end of the world if he draft the Zinger. The only thing I want to learn more about on Porzingis is his feel for the game/ basketball IQ, thats what will place his potential on the line between Bargnani and Anthony Davis. Davis was even thinner than Zinger but his basketball instincts are off the charts. If he is a poor mans Anthony Davis with a better stroke thats pretty damn good in itself.

1. Mudiaye
2. WCS
3. Porzingis
4. Winslow
5. Stanley
6. Hezonja

is how I have my kings big board, the first 3 are fit and Winslow is just BPA
 
Wow.. I'm not sure what i was expecting, but it wasnt that. That was pretty impressive. Some serious upside - really sweet stroke, quick first step, attacks the rim hard. Would like to see him play D, see if he's quick enough to guard the perimeter or strong enough to guard the inside. Definite potential though
 
Workout vid

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Kristaps-Porzingis-Workout-Video-5085

Serious upside IMO. His touch, his fluidity at his size, his reach, don't see that too often.
He looks a lot more bigger in this video then the grainy ones we have seen in his Euro games. Maybe he is filling out a little already.

He looks like he can make some contribution now and even more in 2-3 years.

It would be hard to pass on him at 6, he looks more multi-skilled than WCS.

He does look a lot like a young Dirk Nowitzki.
 
Wow.. I'm not sure what i was expecting, but it wasnt that. That was pretty impressive. Some serious upside - really sweet stroke, quick first step, attacks the rim hard. Would like to see him play D, see if he's quick enough to guard the perimeter or strong enough to guard the inside. Definite potential though
That's part of his upside, he's got good lateral quickness on the perimeter but can also recover and block shots at the rim coming from the weak side.

How long it takes him to be able to do that in the NBA is another question.
 
No doubt. Eastern Europeans are some of the toughest and scariest mugs in the world. I don't doubt his toughness.
This. :D

My guess for the draft at this point would be this:

1 - Towns (MIN)
2 - Okafor (LAL)
3 - Mudiay (PHI)
4 - Johnson (NYK)
5 - Porzingis (ORL)

I feel like Porzingis will continue to rise among scout's rankings/radars and Orlando will have a hard time passing on his potential to draft WCS. Also, I have Philadelphia passing on Stanley Johnson mainly because he cancelled his private workout with them today and that would likely be a red flag for them. It shows he may not really be interested in playing for the 76ers. So instead, I have them taking the next best PG in Mudiay. New York drafts Stanley Johnson instead of Porzingis so they can sign Monroe yet draft a potential All-Star at another position.

So that leaves us with WCS, Winslow, Payne, and maybe Hezonja. I think WCS will be too much of an obvious fit for Vlade and co. to pass up on pairing him up with DeMarcus.
 
This. :D

My guess for the draft at this point would be this:

1 - Towns (MIN)
2 - Okafor (LAL)
3 - Mudiay (PHI)
4 - Johnson (NYK)
5 - Porzingis (ORL)

I feel like Porzingis will continue to rise among scout's rankings/radars and Orlando will have a hard time passing on his potential to draft WCS. Also, I have Philadelphia passing on Stanley Johnson mainly because he cancelled his private workout with them today and that would likely be a red flag for them. It shows he may not really be interested in playing for the 76ers. So instead, I have them taking the next best PG in Mudiay. New York drafts Stanley Johnson instead of Porzingis so they can sign Monroe yet draft a potential All-Star at another position.

So that leaves us with WCS, Winslow, Payne, and maybe Hezonja. I think WCS will be too much of an obvious fit for Vlade and co. to pass up on pairing him up with DeMarcus.
You forgot about Russell
 
This. :D

My guess for the draft at this point would be this:

1 - Towns (MIN)
2 - Okafor (LAL)
3 - Mudiay (PHI)
4 - Johnson (NYK)
5 - Porzingis (ORL)

I feel like Porzingis will continue to rise among scout's rankings/radars and Orlando will have a hard time passing on his potential to draft WCS. Also, I have Philadelphia passing on Stanley Johnson mainly because he cancelled his private workout with them today and that would likely be a red flag for them. It shows he may not really be interested in playing for the 76ers. So instead, I have them taking the next best PG in Mudiay. New York drafts Stanley Johnson instead of Porzingis so they can sign Monroe yet draft a potential All-Star at another position.

So that leaves us with WCS, Winslow, Payne, and maybe Hezonja. I think WCS will be too much of an obvious fit for Vlade and co. to pass up on pairing him up with DeMarcus.
You have Johnson and Russell confused.
 
Through out the video I keep trying to compare him to some of the the other prospects in the gym, especially Myles Turner, who I believed came into the combine at legit 6'10 or 6'11. And clearly he Porz is much taller than him and I would say his body is filling up his body nicely compared to the youtube cuts 5 or 6 months ago.

That shooting stroke though is pretty nice. With his length and style it could be hard to guard from the perimeter. Even Turner, who is known to be quite a good shooter for a big man, has that awe face in some in that background.

Previously, I was thinking that the 7'1" height was not legit so I worry about picking him at 6. But the kid is legit. And between him and WCS, I think we got enough options to be happy in this draft. If his stock do rise as well as WCS, Mudiay would be a pretty sick consolation.

My only worry here is if Okafor is the surprise slider and ends up available at 6.

Would you pick Okafor at 6?
 
Through out the video I keep trying to compare him to some of the the other prospects in the gym, especially Myles Turner, who I believed came into the combine at legit 6'10 or 6'11. And clearly he Porz is much taller than him and I would say his body is filling up his body nicely compared to the youtube cuts 5 or 6 months ago.

That shooting stroke though is pretty nice. With his length and style it could be hard to guard from the perimeter. Even Turner, who is known to be quite a good shooter for a big man, has that awe face in some in that background.

Previously, I was thinking that the 7'1" height was not legit so I worry about picking him at 6. But the kid is legit. And between him and WCS, I think we got enough options to be happy in this draft. If his stock do rise as well as WCS, Mudiay would be a pretty sick consolation.

My only worry here is if Okafor is the surprise slider and ends up available at 6.

Would you pick Okafor at 6?
You run to the stage faster than you've ran before but he's not getting passed NY
 
People not as excited by porzingis hitting every shot an empty gym as they were by wcs doing it?

Bit of hype on porzingis is good news for us anyway. Someone will have to fall.
 
People not as excited by porzingis hitting every shot an empty gym as they were by wcs doing it?

Bit of hype on porzingis is good news for us anyway. Someone will have to fall.
People are clearly excited by his size/fluidity/athleticism. We already know his shot is significantly better than WCS. I'd prefer WCS, but I'm not really sure what your point is.
 

funkykingston

Super Moderator
Staff member
Must have mis read some of those posts then. Apologies.

My point is people largely see what they want to see in these empty gym workouts.
The difference (at least in my mind) is that Porzingis was expected to have a good shot, to have solid athletcism etc. With Cauley-Stein his ability to hit the 15-18 footer was a question mark.

The hard part is that the things I want to see from Porzingis (defensive awareness, strength, toughness, ability/willingness to pass the ball etc) you can't really see in an individual workout.
 
Guys were weighed before workouts:


Our guys were like, "Oh my God, look at this guy." One dribble from the foul line, dunk. Lefty hook. Quick feet. He had great lateral quickness for a big. He had spin moves. It was unbelievable. He was a freak athlete at 17. He runs like a deer. He jumps. You were saying "wow." You could check off everything on the list.
 
Last edited:

Capt. Factorial

ceterum censeo delendum esse Argentum
Staff member
Our guys were like, "Oh my God, look at this guy." One dribble from the foul line, dunk. Lefty hook. Quick feet. He had great lateral quickness for a big. He had spin moves. It was unbelievable. He was a freak athlete at 17. He runs like a deer. He jumps. You were saying "wow." You could check off everything on the list.
I see what you did there.