Vlade Divac

funkykingston · Jul 5, 2015

As for Vlade, I've always been a huge Kings fan but I haven't owned a jersey since I was a kid. Just not really my thing. But I'll be picking up a #21 to proudly wear to games this year.

Section 101 said:

And that's exactly it. The Kings had essentially two choices this offseason. Either blow the whole thing up, trade Cousins and Gay and start over or try to win now.

And in order to win now they had to clear caproom to revamp the roster. It was a steep price to pay but that's why Hinkie has coveted copious amounts of caproom. But if all goes well the pick swaps mean nothing (if the Kings are the better team for the next two seasons, which I think they will be) so it's essentially just a top 10 protected draft pick.

That part stings, especially with the raised salary cap as rookie deals will be the biggest bargain in the NBA, but if the Kings are making the playoffs I don't care.

Lots of gambles this offseason, but if they all pay off this could be a hugely surprising Kings team. And as a long suffering Sacramento fan all I want is the chance to root for a team that is playing hard, scrapping and has a chance to make the playoffs.

Heuge · Jul 5, 2015

Section 101 said:

We haven't won in 9 years. There is a clear rift between our star player and our coach. The risk is tremendous. For what? Only Landry's value was truly negative. I'm not saying I hate the trade but the verdict is nowhere near made. It cannot be until the proof is seen on the court. Premature. IMHO

funkykingston · Jul 5, 2015

Heuge said:

That's absolutely true and why I was negative about the Philly trade when it was announced. But the Kings couldn't just tread water. Another season like the last one would be disastrous for everyone. So either you trade Cousins and rebuild or you make bold moves to revamp things on the fly.

Wes Matthews would have been a really solid solution at SG but honestly I'm much happier with the reconstructed bench that Vlade has created.

So on paper the team is much improved. But yeah, it could still all fall apart and be a complete failure. But I don't think it will be. And moreover I appreciate the approach Vlade is taking. I'm optimistic - and not even cautiously so right now. I think this team will surprise.

CaminoChaos · Jul 5, 2015

In Vlade We Trust!

M_Barragan · Jul 5, 2015

I don't think people are realizing the difference between current nik and JT vs Marco and Kosta. The talent gap between them is much larger then some think.

Cuz I am sure wants to win above all. Like WCS said they are grown men they will figure it out. They are both going to the HOF and both want vindication I think they will be fine. That talent influx alone is good for 40-45 wins (we were on pace for that last year with the toughest schedule in the NBA)

The true question mark is Rondo, Ben and WCS. If all three of those guys show up next year...
Should be exciting times

Section 101 · Jul 5, 2015

Heuge said:

In case you haven't been following along, Cuz is all in now with the moves. The only rift maybe Karl and Vlade.

Hoovtrain · Jul 5, 2015

Section 101 said:

Last I checked he was tweeting snakes in the grass...so it remains to be seen who the conflicts are between, especially with all of the conflicting reports. He seems very happy with the moves, doesn't mean he likes the coach.

Heuge · Jul 5, 2015

Section 101 said:

I saw a tweet. Let's not kid ourselves, there is work to be done and it isn't all the sudden rosey.

Entity · Jul 5, 2015

Vlade walking around like

PurpleHaze · Jul 5, 2015

Hoovtrain said:

I'm sure Vlade has Calipari on speed dial, maybe sending coaches wife nice pictures of mega mansions in Los Lagos, etc.

Uncia03 · Jul 5, 2015

For all of those who are skeptical about whether or not the this newly formed team will be successful, and whether or not it was worth the prize of the Philly dump I just have one comment:

I think that perspective had validity right after the trade was announced because frankly, the Kings have never been able to be players in free-agency.

However, considering that Vlade has absolutely crushed free-agency by signing quality players who fit what we need and at good prices to boot...I think that it makes it far more difficult to be skeptical.

The biggest questions going into the season are going to be about chemistry and intangibles. Cousins vs Karl, Rondo's persona, ect.
On paper...we will probably end up going into next season as as the most talented and well-balanced team in almost a decade.

The chemistry/intangibles might drag this team down next year, but if you wanted to do everything you could do to keep an all-generation center engaged with the team I don't think you could have played it any better.

Kudos to Vlade for pulling this off...and the crazy thing is...he still has some money to work with to strengthen the team even more...and I'm now optimistic that he'll finish this off-season bringing in some quality players.

Sac.1989 · Jul 5, 2015

i bought a Kevin Johnson Suns jersey for the role he played a few years ago in keeping the kings in Sac.

Given the FA moves we have made i time to break out the cash and buy a Divac jersey to add to my collection.

Something to wear to opening night in our new arena me thinks.

kingsboi · Jul 5, 2015

Hoovtrain said:

There have been a number of players who didn't care for their coach and made it work. The same applies with Cousins and Karl, even if they don't like each other, suck it up...you're playing for something bigger than yourselves. Play for the fans of Sacramento and put them back on the map towards relevancy.

The Hammer · Jul 5, 2015

Heuge said:

Nobody is talking about results on the court yet. We're evaluating the moves on their merit alone, kind of as play along GMs. Would we have done it? Does it improve the team going into the season? That kind of stuff.

I would like to know your opinion about that. Or, do you simply refuse to put yourself in Vlade's shoes and imagine how you would have done it?

Kingsgurl · Jul 5, 2015

Sac.1989 said:

I am very excited, as now all my old Vlade jerseys are very much back in fashion.

Sac.1989 · Jul 5, 2015

Kingsgurl said:

never out of fashion i would have thought

The Hammer · Jul 5, 2015

Heuge said:

Actually it is. It's very flowery and happy right now.

I'm not saying it will be all sunshine and rainbows between Karl and whoever, but it is very very rosey right now. The mood has indeed dramatically shifted.

But something tells me you don't even believe in sudden rosy as a possibility. Being a realist doesn't mean not believing in sudden positive shifts.

There is no way that all of Cuz, Karl, and Vlade are not each feeling very happy and excited right now (just like most of us), and have lost significant motivation to create discord.

They're feeling what we are feeling.

Entity · Jul 5, 2015

To me this says to Karl. This is a solid team alot of defense a dominant big man a great scorer. If you can't work with this you are welcome to void your contract and we will find somebody who can. Not giving in and getting Karl's guys is a huge step for vlade. He came right in a made this kings team what HE wanted it to be

Heuge · Jul 5, 2015

The Hammer said:

Look, I think the moves may work out. But to offer up "in Vlade we trust" and our traditional "any question" threads in my opinion is getting ahead of ourselves. Excuse me while I pause in my trust and ask my legitimate questions. That Philly trade is sketchy. The only way to know the merit of the trade will be determined by the product on the court. The last 9 years of losing is a giant wall. To bet on us hopping that wall is borderline crazy, super-risky (and I might consider potentially unnecessary).

This long suffering Kings fan hopes this risk pays off. I am excited just as everyone else is. Can you blame me as a fan if I have a measure of healthy skepticism in the face of a huge risk.

The Hammer · Jul 5, 2015

Heuge said:

Is there merit in the trade/recent moves *right now* if it is the exact thing that enables Cousins and Karl to go all in and make it work here?

But no, I don't blame you at all.

macadocious · Jul 5, 2015

I think there are two issues here...

1. I think most people are happy of the direction of the current roster (even if you don't love Rond0)

2. I think the dissenting side is claiming that we overpaid on our dump. I don't believe that 1st rounder was needed to get that deal done, and if it was needed, at least have it fully lottery protected and only last one year, then go to a 2nd.

Kingsgurl · Jul 5, 2015

Heuge said:

The only way ANY off season moves are ever measured is by what happens during the season. Perhaps you are so beat down by the previous 9 years of losing that you are afraid to hope. These moves are big, they are bold. There is no reward, in our current situation, without risk. The changes made are aggressive enough so that the team who begins the season has no bearing on any of the previous, losing years. We needed to do that. Go big, or go home.

Heuge · Jul 5, 2015

Kingsgurl said:

Go big or go home but don't be needlessly reckless while going big. I think we are dangerously close to moving from high risk to reckless. While this is a minority opinion here, it is certainly a notion shared by many people who follow basketball.

Again, excuse me while I measure a healthy dose of skepticism. This is not a no doubt about decision.

Entity · Jul 5, 2015

Without those trades we don't have belinelli or koufos. Rondo maybe?

Entity · Jul 5, 2015

Heuge said:

The only risk we have taken is bringing in rondo for a 1 year contract

Heuge · Jul 5, 2015

macadocious said:

This is helpful and to some degree articulates some of my thoughts.

Chupacabra · Jul 5, 2015

Im befuddled that Belinelli and Koufos chose our offers. You would think that as an established vet that has played on winning teams you wouldnt choose the team that was a circus one week ago. They had to have seen the potential. I get Rondo's reason and motivation, but Belinelli and Koufus are amoung the type of players that we dont get to sign in FA. Those two are the type of signings that we were able to make back in 2000-2004.

ShastaKingsFan · Jul 5, 2015

Chupacabra said:

I think the answer is simple. They both are from overseas and feel good chemistry and trust with Divac....and they want the opportunity for more playing time in the prime of their careers. Both only got spot minutes for their former teams.

In addition, they probably like the fit in coach Karl's system.

It's also reassuring to know that not everyone buys into the media B.S and exaggeration. That's one of the things I like about the overseas guys. They tend to just focus on the game and don't get caught up in the other "game"

Kingsgurl · Jul 5, 2015

Chupacabra said:

Obviously, even some people who not only follow basketball, but also play it are intrigued and buying in

Bricklayer · Jul 5, 2015

macadocious said:

Allow me to be impolitic here:

WHO THE **** CARES???

Who cares about 3 years from now? I would have sacrificed a goat and danced around a fire naked covered in its entrails in order to save the present.

What Vlade did and is doing in free agency absolutely resonates for any other franchise,. It resonates here. Nobody turns their nose up at a WCS/Rondo, Belinelli/Koufos haul. That's a whole bunch of defense and experienced playoff winners straight off the rosters of some of the best teams in the business.

Vlade achieved culture change in a matter of weeks, dumping or letting walk a whole culture of mistakes, tweeners, and crap defenders, and replacing them with a whole new breed. So who the f cares if it cost us a 1st in 3 years? This was the blow that needed to be struck to shake us out of a decade long slumber. If we care about that pick at all in 2018 it will mean that we failed in the present. Even with their good track record, I guarantee you San Antonio fans aren't sitting around every draft night holding draft parties and wringing their hands. Maybe you get a contributor, maybe you don't. When you are a winner, it barely matters in any given year.

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