Michael Porter Jr

[AaronPDX]

PLEASE let this be some sort of smokescreen? All I've read on Porter is he's NOT a good locker room guy, doesn't interact well with other players, is damaged goods. Is this REALLY the direction the Kings would go with Doncic or Bagley available??? It would almost merit giving up on this franchise and certainly ensure Divac's firing.

News hitting now that Kawhi wants out of S.A. Maybe they can trade him to the Suns for the 1st pick, the Spurs can go after Doncic and make the decision for the Kings, leaving Ayton for the taking? God I wish....

 

[Hallama]

News hitting now that Kawhi wants out of S.A. Maybe they can trade him to the Suns for the 1st pick, the Spurs can go after Doncic and make the decision for the Kings, leaving Ayton for the taking? God I wish....

I always think to myself WWPP (who would Pop pick) in this draft, and I'm 99% sure it would be Doncic.

 

[John Galt]

I'd like to buy this narrative, but Vlade doesn't play poker. He's not a smokescreen guy. A disinformation campaign is frankly too sophisticated for him. I also contend the assertion Luka is the easy obvious choice. Based on what, conventional sentiment? Conventional thinking is usually wrong. Making a decision based on a consensus is rooted in fear, being able to absolve yourself of responsibility when the decision goes awry. So you can say, well, "Luka was the popular choice at the time, so don't blame me for taking him". This does not mean you automatically become a contrarian. But the decision needs to be made independent over the mock drafts and fan declarations. The other thing is this: Vlade is prideful over Fox and Boggy. These are two guys he got right amidst a bunch of decisions that turned out wrong. He wants to add to this. He wants to complement. Luka has overlapping skills. It is in this regard, in addition to questions about perimeter shot and athleticism, the decision to Luka becomes far less cut and dry. This is partly why I think the Kings will end up taking Bagley. Ultimately I believe there is enough sensibility and self-preservation motives in the "war room" to take a guy who checks most of the boxes.

would not be a dis-information campaign so much as a 'keeping your mouth shut' campaign. I don't know who the sources are for Ham and Doody, I don't think Vlade is the puppet master... but he does have a rep for keeping his mouth shut.

why is Luka the obvious choice? ticket sales. it is show biz. international glitz... island boy, Serbian sniper, Slovenian snip...wait - anyway I think picking Doncic is the most obvious knee jerk. He was top of the mocks all year. The greatest prize ever out of Europe. I happen to like him but I'm not particularly learned - just emotional.

I just believe that at #2, the first thing you do is talk yourself out of Doncic based on all I read as people were fussing about tanking and all that. It's always been the Ayton/Doncic show.

I don't argue with you whether Bagley or Doncic is the better pick. But I do think it is curious that Porter has the overdrive hype machine with Kings chatter sprinkled in... and Doncic is quiet as a mouse -not a care in the world. I think it's a tell.

PS: I think people worrying about Luka's shot will be embarrassed by the end of the season. We'll see.

 

[Hoovtrain]

It amazes me how you make personal critiques of people off limited perceptions. I get saying he looks unathletic or he’s not long or his shot is funky. But you ascribe negative personality characteristics like brat to someone you have never met. You did it with Porter and Hezonja. Do you do this often?

Hey! In that 1 game he watched Hezonja play he looked terrible, hence he’s a flabby, lazy sack of crap

 

[MissouriPorterJr]

No one loves playing with a ball hog, which your boy is. I hope he had the health this morning to get out of bed.

Nobody likes playing with a ball hog? MPJ is a walking bucket. He went undefeated his last season at High School and Won back 2 back state champions. You think his teammates hated playing with a guy who turned around a 5 Win team & packed the gym every night! Like to the point where people are standing around the court. I know several guys MPJ has made better with his presence. Stop creating false narratives.

 

[Hoovtrain]

Questestiobal teammate? Stop it. Everybody loved him when he got injured several players transferred. I’ve never heard of him being a bad teammate.

There have actually been beat guys who completely debunked this claim . People may not like him as a prospect, but stop making crap up just to fit your narrative. It’s getting old

 

[MissouriPorterJr]

The cause-and-effect of these transfers is pretty questionable. In the period from April 2013-May 2017 (so BEFORE Porter had even joined the team, much less been injured) there were EIGHTEEN players to transfer out of Mizzou. EIGHTEEN. That's a program that has been in turmoil and upheaval for four full years before Porter got hurt.

How about the several players (well, if "two" is "several") that transferred after he got hurt?

C.J. Roberts - transferred because he wasn't getting playing time.
Blake Harris - had issues with head coach Cuonzo Martin.

It's not like Porter got hurt and dudes were like, "Aw, man, Porter's not playing, I'm outta here." Don't be silly.

Uh I’m a Mizzou fan. They definitely transferred because MPJ got injured. Blake Harris literally followed MPJ from Washington to Mizzou. Mizzou signing Porter was the equivalent to the Kings signing James Harden. When he got injured, guys left because the history of Missouri basketball isn’t very good.

 

[MissouriPorterJr]

you're hearing what you want to hear. google it and see for yourself.

Lol I don’t need google to tell me what I already know. I don’t really see how much of a bad teammate you can be when your injured the whole entire season.

 

[John Galt]

Hey! In that 1 game he watched Hezonja play he looked terrible, hence he’s a flabby, lazy sack of crap

yeah I'm all alone on an island with that take. generally his stock is soaring and everybody wants to have him around.

 

[John Galt]

Lol I don’t need google to tell me what I already know. I don’t really see how much of a bad teammate you can be when your injured the whole entire season.

information sucks

 

[Hoovtrain]

yeah I'm all alone on an island with that take. generally his stock is soaring and everybody wants to have him around.

Always good to pigeonhole a guy off of 1 game

 

[Kingster]

Only if your physical condition is good enough to keep you on the court. It was back problems that finally did Peja in. There is, according to a medical website I quoted a day or two ago, about a 10% chance of future problems related to the microdiscectomy. You'd think he'd be trying his best to prove he's fit. Instead, he postpones a workout because he's so sore he cannot get out of bed?

When we talk about back issues I keep think how much or how little medical science really knows about backs. My impression is that on something like a knee they are pretty dialed in at this point, but if you think about people like Walton and Steve Kerr it seems like they just don't know a lot; it's so integral to the entire structure of the human body, and as such it seems so tricky to deal with, especially with a guy who is jumping up and down for a living. Even if a doctor is "certain" that the back is healed, you have to wonder how exactly the injury happened to begin with. Is there something in Porter that predisposed him to this kind of injury? Also, the Kings already have one player with a history of significant injuries in Harry Giles. Do they really want two?

 

[Hoovtrain]

information sucks

There is no information. This has been debunked numerous times.

 

[Blob]

would not be a dis-information campaign so much as a 'keeping your mouth shut' campaign. I don't know who the sources are for Ham and Doody, I don't think Vlade is the puppet master... but he does have a rep for keeping his mouth shut.

why is Luka the obvious choice? ticket sales. it is show biz. international glitz... island boy, Serbian sniper, Slovenian snip...wait - anyway I think picking Doncic is the most obvious knee jerk. He was top of the mocks all year. The greatest prize ever out of Europe. I happen to like him but I'm not particularly learned - just emotional.

I just believe that at #2, the first thing you do is talk yourself out of Doncic based on all I read as people were fussing about tanking and all that. It's always been the Ayton/Doncic show.

I don't argue with you whether Bagley or Doncic is the better pick. But I do think it is curious that Porter has the overdrive hype machine with Kings chatter sprinkled in... and Doncic is quiet as a mouse -not a care in the world. I think it's a tell.

PS: I think people worrying about Luka's shot will be embarrassed by the end of the season. We'll see.

FWIW Sean Cunningham says he thinks the pick with be Bagley. He's not as prominent media dude as Howdy Doody and Ham Sandwich, but he's around the team as much. He's at every media scrum. Let me find the quote, paraphrasing....

Q: Who are the Kings going to take:
A: I feel pretty strongly if they have the #2 pick (barring trade), they are going Bagley. I don't know that to be certain just based off conversations that I have had. I hear more positive feedback than (inaudible)....if it is a two man game between Bagley and Doncic, and there are fans of both throughout the front office and organization, but the one I hear the most positive remarks....and most people being blown away by is Bagley" .

Link

The quote I paraphrased is around the 20:00 mark. As to your other point, Luka would create ticket sales at first. But as you know ticket sales depend on winning and players who generate enthusiasm and momentum in this direction. The Lakers drafted Lonzo Bust partly for ticket sales, now rumors out of LA are Magic wants to get rid of him. He's not a box office draw anymore. He's a bricklayer in a rap battle with his teammate.

It doesn't matter what your reputation is or how many nicknames you have if you turn out to be a middling rotational player. The hype ends when the ball is tossed into the air. The Kings being "quiet on Luka" is not a tell in my opinion, it reflects their genuine ambivalence.

 

[Joshoua]

I don’t care how rusty or hurt he was at Missouri dude had 1 assists to 50 field go attempts. 1 assists man can’t you luck into 2-3 assists

 

[MissouriPorterJr]

information sucks

Some information does suck lol. I’ve played with him in real life. He had me feeling like CP3 Out their. He was quick to tell me good shot and help me up when I fell.

 

[VF21]

...

The quote I paraphrased is around the 20:00 mark. As to your other point, Luka would create ticket sales at first. But as you know ticket sales depend on winning and players who generate enthusiasm and momentum in this direction. The Lakers drafted Lonzo Bust partly for ticket sales, now rumors out of LA are Magic wants to get rid of him. He's not a box office draw anymore. He's a bricklayer in a rap battle with his teammate.

It doesn't matter what your reputation is or how many nicknames you have if you turn out to be a middling rotational player. The hype ends when the ball is tossed into the air. The Kings being "quiet on Luka" is not a tell in my opinion, it reflects their genuine ambivalence.

Not necessarily. Ticket sales depend upon fans enjoying the game and having a good time. If it was all about winning, the Kings would never have had incredibly long sellout streaks. Ticket sales for the Kings are way up again and it's not because of their stellar record.

The KINGS are being quiet about everybody if you want to get down to the bottom line. It's all the talking heads who are spouting the rhetoric. I think there's a very real chance Vlade and Co. haven't actually made their final decision yet. In fact, let's be honest. They may have a couple of alternative scenarios going on that will remain in play until Phoenix makes their pick.

 

[206Fan]

MPJ being a crapty teammate is made up BS. I have a family friend who's associated to Mizzou(more football than basketball), but he says those rumors about MPJ are bs. Complete BS.

We heard nothing about this character in HS. We heard nothing about this through 7months at Mizzou. Suddenly, we're 1 week away away from the draft and it comes out? Come on guys.

 

[VF21]

Some information does suck lol. I’ve played with him in real life. He had me feeling like CP3 Out their. He was quick to tell me good shot and help me up when I fell.

So you're saying you're totally unbiased?

Personal knowledge of a player and/or his family doesn't necessarily give you insight into how he'll do in the NBA and it certainly doesn't buy you any extra juice around here. I know from my own experience.

 

[VF21]

MPJ being a crapty teammate is made up BS. I have a family friend who's associated to Mizzou(more football than basketball), but he says those rumors about MPJ are bs. Complete BS.

We heard nothing about this character in HS. We heard nothing about this through 7months at Mizzou. Suddenly, we're 1 week away away from the draft and it comes out? Come on guys.

Hey, maybe if we're real lucky Sam Amick will do a hit piece on him about not wearing a seat belt.

 

[sactowndog]

I don’t care how rusty or hurt he was at Missouri dude had 1 assists to 50 field go attempts. 1 assists man can’t you luck into 2-3 assists

I have no problem with fact based critiques like this one. Now we don’t know why he had 1 assist and what the coach wanted and you have a sample size problem.... but it’s a factual statement.

Spouting opinions about a persons character whom you have never met is another kettle of fish entirely.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

I have no problem with fact based critiques like this one. Now we don’t know why he had 1 assist and what the coach wanted and you have a sample size problem.... but it’s a factual statement.

Well, except he didn't have 50 FG attempts. He had 30, which is definitely different. The same argument can be made at 30 and at 50, but if we're going to be factual...

 

[Hoovtrain]

Hey, maybe if we're real lucky Sam Amick will do a hit piece on him about not wearing a seat belt.

Lol who was that about again?

 

[Kingster]

It sounds like the Kings are really locked in on either Bagley, Doncic or Porter.

Which is why I'm surprised that they're showing interest in Wendell Carter Jr (attended his workout and are now having him in for a meet & greet) but aren't bringing in Bamba or Jackson. I wonder if that's because those guys declined to workout for the Kings or because the Kings really aren't interested. I'd be disappointed if it's the latter but I'm guessing it's the former.

At this point I'll be relieved when the draft is over.

If Doncic is the pick I'll be okay with that. He feels like a solid double. He'll make the Kings fun to watch even as he struggles early with athletic NBA defenders. I think he'll figure things out and be a good to very good player though I'm positive one of the players taken right after him will be much bigger star. I'm okay with that.

If it's Bagley I'll wonder what it means for Giles, Cauley-Stein and Labissiere's futures with the team And I'll want to see him develop his right hand, his defensive rotations and his faceup game. But this would be my pick .

If it's Porter (either at #2 or in a trade down) I'll be frustrated and upset but hoping that he can prove me wrong by having a dominant summer league performance.

6 more days . . .

I agree that Bagley needs to improve his right hand, defensive rotations, faceup game, handle, and outside shooting. Doncic just needs to get a new body altogether. Just turn in his 7 out of 10 athleticism/quickness body for an 8 or 9 out of ten body and we're good. He can go into some super-duper athletic training center and transform his Jimmer-like athleticism into something that resembles the athleticism of a good NBA small forward. Just in case he can't get that new body, I think the Kings will have other personnel decisions to consider with him and Bogs on the court at the same time, like who, other than Fox, is going to provide the needed overall athleticism/physicallity for this team? That is the biggest need of this team. Not skill. At this point the SF position is "open." It could be filled by an athletic physical wing who could bring physicallity to this team. If they get Doncic they are cementing into place another position without physicallity. That physicallity boost isn't coming from WCS, that's for sure. Maybe some of it happens from Giles. Other than that, who exactly? Cameo appearances from Sampson? If you think this team's roster has to be transformed a lot with Bagley, then it might be worth considering how this roster would have to be fundamentally changed with Doncic on it. Without such fundamental transformation the new "skilled roster" would just get beat up on by the more athletic, physical teams in the NBA, who will shove all that newfound skill where the sun don't shine.


P.S. The Carter workout is a total head scratcher. I think Carter has the highest bust potential of anybody talked about in the top 10. I don't mind that Bamba is out of the picture, but am disappointed that a guy like Jackson wouldn't be visiting the Kings. Why the heck not?

 

[sactowndog]

Well, except he didn't have 50 FG attempts. He had 30, which is definitely different. The same argument can be made at 30 and at 50, but if we're going to be factual...

Yes let’s get the facts correct. But you get my point.

 

[sterö]

I agree that Bagley needs to improve his right hand, defensive rotations, faceup game, handle, and outside shooting. Doncic just needs to get a new body altogether. Just turn in his 7 out of 10 athleticism/quickness body for an 8 or 9 out of ten body and we're good. He can go into some super-duper athletic training center and transform his Jimmer-like athleticism into something that resembles the athleticism of a good NBA small forward. Just in case he can't get that new body, I think the Kings will have other personnel decisions to consider with him and Bogs on the court at the same time, like who, other than Fox, is going to provide the needed overall athleticism/physicallity for this team? That is the biggest need of this team. Not skill. At this point the SF position is "open." It could be filled by an athletic physical wing who could bring physicallity to this team. If they get Doncic they are cementing into place another position without physicallity. That physicallity boost isn't coming from WCS, that's for sure. Maybe some of it happens from Giles. Other than that, who exactly? Cameo appearances from Sampson? If you think this team's roster has to be transformed a lot with Bagley, then it might be worth considering how this roster would have to be fundamentally changed with Doncic on it. Without such fundamental transformation the new "skilled roster" would just get beat up on by the more athletic, physical teams in the NBA, who will shove all that newfound skill where the sun don't shine.


P.S. The Carter workout is a total head scratcher. I think Carter has the highest bust potential of anybody talked about in the top 10. I don't mind that Bamba is out of the picture, but am disappointed that a guy like Jackson wouldn't be visiting the Kings. Why the heck not?

If it's all about physicality why don't we just start Jakarr Sampson?

 

[VF21]

Lol who was that about again?

 

[VF21]

I have no problem with fact based critiques like this one. Now we don’t know why he had 1 assist and what the coach wanted and you have a sample size problem.... but it’s a factual statement.

Spouting opinions about a persons character whom you have never met is another kettle of fish entirely.

Really? So it's okay to totally dump on/bash some players but others are exempt? I could go back and assemble a compendium of all the opinions people on this board have made about the character of various players over the years, the vast majority of which they never met, but I won't bother.

 

[ockingsfan]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1007296017635708928

Well, if MPJ wants to fake an injury and Chicago wants him so bad (they are not going to get him at #7), maybe we can swing a deal for #2 MPJ for Chicago's #7, #22 (or a future 1st) and Lauri Markarren, then we draft Wendel Carter (we have him for a private workout) or Mikal Bridges at #7.

 

[Entity]

Well, if MPJ wants to fake an injury and Chicago wants him so bad (they are not going to get him at #7), maybe we can swing a deal for #2 and MPJ for Chicago's #7 and Markarren and then we draft Wendel Carter (we have him for a private workout) or Mikal Bridges at #7.

we couldn't do a deal for #2 and MPJ. as we would have to draft MPJ. so #2 for Markarren and the #7