With the 7th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings select .....
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rainmaker, don't take peaked as a bad thing. Kawhi is one of the more NBA ready prospects with a slew of skills to draw from--he's already a great rebounder at this level with a dose of passing and defense. Ultimate intangibles guy. And I like Leonard, definite lottery pick, having him #2 in the Kings mock is a huge compliment. In a draft devoid of NBA-ready players with two or more NBA assets, Leonard's a breath of fresh air. It's just that we know he is a role player, and he can be a good one at that. His offense is just too mechanical to become a star, and I think he might look worse in the NBA than at college...but that's just opinion. That's what I mean by, maybe his growth rate won't be as great as some of these other young guns in the draft.
As for Vesely, he can make the occasional shot, but just color me unconvinced. I've watched a few games where he'd just struggle to make free throws, and free throw shooting is one of the biggest indicators in translating to shooting success in the league. Can he make jumpers consistently and spread the floor over the course of an 82 game season for 20+ minutes a game? I really doubt it. The intrigue is his versatility in combination with his height and athleticism, the shooting is more on the meh side.
As for Kanter, I just really wished he played for Kentucky. But he's right to take advantage of this weak draft by entering. I know he's received the hype and can really ball, though. But he's an earthbound widebody scorer, and we already have one of those Cousins. Skillset duplication. We need a defensive guy. Hence him being last on my list.
As for Vesely, he can make the occasional shot, but just color me unconvinced. I've watched a few games where he'd just struggle to make free throws, and free throw shooting is one of the biggest indicators in translating to shooting success in the league. Can he make jumpers consistently and spread the floor over the course of an 82 game season for 20+ minutes a game? I really doubt it. The intrigue is his versatility in combination with his height and athleticism, the shooting is more on the meh side.
As for Kanter, I just really wished he played for Kentucky. But he's right to take advantage of this weak draft by entering. I know he's received the hype and can really ball, though. But he's an earthbound widebody scorer, and we already have one of those Cousins. Skillset duplication. We need a defensive guy. Hence him being last on my list.
If you're a top tier team or in a hot market, yes, you fill that kind of need with a shooter. We don't have that luxury, and never have. We've always struggled trying to find shooters in free agency, even in the good years. Especially starting caliber players. I can only think of two we grabbed that had any kind of success: Jim Jackson and Anthony Peeler. Both veteran reserve players. If you want someone who might be able to start, who can shoot well, and who isn't a liability on defense (Hamilton isn't elite defensively, but he's serviceable), you don't have the luxury of signing them in free agency. Not in Sacramento. Sorry.
That said, the latest mocks have Hamilton in the late teens, early 20s, so he shouldn't be part of the discussion at #7 at this point. But I do think he'd be a good get for a team like ours with needs at small forward.
That said, the latest mocks have Hamilton in the late teens, early 20s, so he shouldn't be part of the discussion at #7 at this point. But I do think he'd be a good get for a team like ours with needs at small forward.
@ESPNAndyKatz said Enes Kanter "stood up" Toronto, Milwaukee, Utah for interviews. Guess he won't interview with them at all.
Word is that Kanter is taken with the Wizards, the team led by his (kind of sort of) Kentucky friend John Wall. Washington, D.C., is a much larger market than any of the cities he skipped out on Friday, but they also may be several years away from success.
Kanter's Gambit here is pretty clear: He wants to force these teams to pass on him so that he can end up with a city and franchise he likes. It's a strategy Ricky Rubio employed in 2008 with poor results -- the Minnesota Timberwolves picked him and he has spent the last two years in Spain. Kanter can do much the same and possibly even avoid Rubio's state of limbo. Because he's not currently tied to any team, Kanter can choose to spend another year away from professional basketball and reenter the draft next season.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ba...raft-intervi?urn=nba-wp3627#remaining-content
Word is that Kanter is taken with the Wizards, the team led by his (kind of sort of) Kentucky friend John Wall. Washington, D.C., is a much larger market than any of the cities he skipped out on Friday, but they also may be several years away from success.
Kanter's Gambit here is pretty clear: He wants to force these teams to pass on him so that he can end up with a city and franchise he likes. It's a strategy Ricky Rubio employed in 2008 with poor results -- the Minnesota Timberwolves picked him and he has spent the last two years in Spain. Kanter can do much the same and possibly even avoid Rubio's state of limbo. Because he's not currently tied to any team, Kanter can choose to spend another year away from professional basketball and reenter the draft next season.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ba...raft-intervi?urn=nba-wp3627#remaining-content
Not sure I understand the last sentence. If he is drafted, he is tied to a team. The only way he can remain independent is by withdrawing from the draft. Am I missing something? In any case, it sure doesn't help him if he stays away from organized basketball for another year. Anyway, happy to see we aren't one of the teams he stood up.
I don't believe thats correct. I believe he would have to withdraw his name from the draft. If he's drafted by a team, then I believe that team holds his rights. If not, then why didn't Rubio re-enter the draft? It was obvious he wasn't thrilled with playing in Minnesota. I realize that there's a new CBA that will be in place. But its my understanding that this draft falls under the old CBA, along with designated salaries. As of june 30th the old CBA ends, but until a new CBA is in place, its my understanding that the rules of the old CBA apply. In other words, after june 30th, if there was no lockout, you would go by the old rules, until a new set of rules are in place. If there's a lockout, then essentially, everything is sort of frozen in place. Hey, I could be wrong about this, but it appears to me that you could destroy the entire concept of the draft if start letting players decide where they want to be drafted.
Besides, your talking about a guy that hasn't played for over a year, so I don't see him doing that.
Besides, your talking about a guy that hasn't played for over a year, so I don't see him doing that.
I think you need to define project. Lottery picks are mostly gambles, but the vast majority are not projects. With a project a player has one great attribute, but you have to develop his other skills to make him NBA ready. Lottery picks should be guys you know can play in the NBA. You're just not sure how good they will be.
First off, Hamilton is more than just a shooter. Secondly, there aren't many guys at the SF position that can create their own shot, and Hamilton can. thirdly, Hamilton can play defense. He's also a good ballhandler and passer. In other words the dude is skilled at a lot of things. As for teaching just about anyone to shoot the ball, thats just plain nonsense. The NBA graveyard is littered with players that never became good shooters. How great is one Donte Greene?
When Bird, Pierce and a ton of other guys, including the one and only Marcus Thornton came into the league, they were known as shooters only and had a rep as not being able to play defense. They sort of did OK! The main thing that seperates the good shooters from the average ones, isn't just the shot, but the ability to create that shot without any help. Hamilton can do that. And there are a bunch of guys in this draft that can't. Hamilton is a terrific rebounder as well. And usually led Texas in rebounding despite playing next to Tristan Thompson. He's not just a one trick pony. He's a damm good basketball player.
When Bird, Pierce and a ton of other guys, including the one and only Marcus Thornton came into the league, they were known as shooters only and had a rep as not being able to play defense. They sort of did OK! The main thing that seperates the good shooters from the average ones, isn't just the shot, but the ability to create that shot without any help. Hamilton can do that. And there are a bunch of guys in this draft that can't. Hamilton is a terrific rebounder as well. And usually led Texas in rebounding despite playing next to Tristan Thompson. He's not just a one trick pony. He's a damm good basketball player.
Tell that to Hasheem Thabeet, Joe Alexander, Anthony Randolph, Jerryd Bayless, Yi Jianlian, Spencer Hawes, Acie Law, Al Thorton, Tyrus Thomas, Shelden Williams, Adam Morrison, Patrick O'Bryant, Saer Sene, Hilton Armstrong, Randy Foye, Thabo Sefelosha, Cedric Simmons and others...
The last weak draft was 2006, and Morrison, Thomas, Williams, Foye, Armstrong, O'Bryant, Sene, Reddick, Sefelosha and Simmons were all lottery licks.. It's more miss than hit in this years draft. I would rather go with someone I know will be a steady player.. Someone that already has NBA 3pt range, and that can shoot.. I don't want a project from this years draft like Bismack.. He's going to bust guaranteed.
The last weak draft was 2006, and Morrison, Thomas, Williams, Foye, Armstrong, O'Bryant, Sene, Reddick, Sefelosha and Simmons were all lottery licks.. It's more miss than hit in this years draft. I would rather go with someone I know will be a steady player.. Someone that already has NBA 3pt range, and that can shoot.. I don't want a project from this years draft like Bismack.. He's going to bust guaranteed.
Those are the top choices at the big man slots, and to be honest with you, I'm not really feeling this draft at PF either. Those aren't superstar level guys. But I do like Biyombo--he's a real real project on offense who might never really develop there besides just catching and dunking and getting o-boards, but the hope is that won't undermine his career--his defense I think is really really good. Serge Ibaka types and certified defensive PFs are a hard find in the league. He can be a good pick at #7, even if you see a statline of like 3 ppg, 5 rpg and 1.5 bpg in like 15 mpg early in his rookie year.
Tristan Thompson at #7 can be overdrafting, but if we go up-tempo and transition he can really shine. He's also a good defender, but has no range and questionable abilities offensively overall. Not a star, but a complementary piece. He's only 6'8" as well. Valanciunas is a real project and like Biedrins the wait might have to be 3-4 years before he gets his bearings in his value (he can be really foul prone and on a short leash early in his career)--so that's why I'm not too hopeful on him. Leonard is probably the most NBA-ready in his bunch, which is why he's so appealing to many here on this board. Can be a 8 ppg, 8 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1 bpg player right off the bat in ~28 mpg.
If you don't like any of these players, what's your list like?
Tristan Thompson at #7 can be overdrafting, but if we go up-tempo and transition he can really shine. He's also a good defender, but has no range and questionable abilities offensively overall. Not a star, but a complementary piece. He's only 6'8" as well. Valanciunas is a real project and like Biedrins the wait might have to be 3-4 years before he gets his bearings in his value (he can be really foul prone and on a short leash early in his career)--so that's why I'm not too hopeful on him. Leonard is probably the most NBA-ready in his bunch, which is why he's so appealing to many here on this board. Can be a 8 ppg, 8 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1 bpg player right off the bat in ~28 mpg.
If you don't like any of these players, what's your list like?
Not sure if you're agreeing with me or not. Most of the guys on your list are still in the NBA. I don't recall saying lottery picks were guaranteed stars. I did say that it's a gamble with lottery picks, but there was not a whole lot of questions for most of those guys on whether they were NBA players or not. The question was on how good they would be. Unfortunately some of the gambles didn't pay off. We agree on Bismack.
There are though in my opinion. Kanter? Vesely? Bismack? Valanciunas? All of those players are huge question marks, and are all probably lottery bound. Then you have the players like Tristan Thompson who lacks a natural position, Leonard who can't hit a 3 to save his life and expects to play SF in the NBA, Morris who tends to shoot outside jumpers than box it out inside...
The lottery this year is full of raw players that I don't think I would want to take a chance on if I were a GM. I think that's why Petrie will probably play it safe and take Jimmer, or an international player he can keep in Europe for a few years.
The lottery this year is full of raw players that I don't think I would want to take a chance on if I were a GM. I think that's why Petrie will probably play it safe and take Jimmer, or an international player he can keep in Europe for a few years.
I don't want Bismack either! He's a bust in my book.. I hate these players who have next to no basketball experience going in the lottery. So they can defend a little.. what's going to happen is in the NBA Bismack is going to get a ton of foul calls against him, and will be riding the pine because he wont be able to stay in the game. His offense will kill him.. He doesn't have good hands, and has no idea how to post up or play inside.. No reason he should go in the lottery.. GMs salivate over those players with a ton of athleticism though which is fine by me as long is someone takes him and opens up a better pick for us.
Like who? All the Euros, including Bismack, do have experience. In fact, playing in Europe is better experience than playing in college as it gives you a feel for professional basketball. Much more organised. That's not to say I specifically want to draft any of them, but to say they have no basketball experience is just wrong.
Gary, I know you're a huge Hamilton fan, but you're very gung ho with your opinions! I'd give Biyombo a chance even though it's unlikely we'll take him. If he could turn into the next Ibaka (I know, I know, that's the exception to the rule) then that's very valuable. He does have size and athleticism and alot of skills on the defensive side of the ball. He also doesn't try to do things he's not capable of, so he's not going to put up bad shots on offense.
I do this every year though don't I? 
Last year it was Cousins, year before was Holiday, and Rubio... Year before that it was Kevin Love and DeAndre Jordan... Year before that was Noah...
Most of those are pretty good..
The people I have spoke out against are........
2010 - Ekpe Udoh
2009 - Hasheem Thabeet - Teague
2008 - Alexander - Darrell Arthur
2007 - Brandan Wright
This year I am speaking out against Bismack! He's going to suck
Last year it was Cousins, year before was Holiday, and Rubio... Year before that it was Kevin Love and DeAndre Jordan... Year before that was Noah...
Most of those are pretty good..
The people I have spoke out against are........
2010 - Ekpe Udoh
2009 - Hasheem Thabeet - Teague
2008 - Alexander - Darrell Arthur
2007 - Brandan Wright
This year I am speaking out against Bismack! He's going to suck
I do this every year though don't I?
Last year it was Cousins, year before was Holiday, and Rubio... Year before that it was Kevin Love and DeAndre Jordan... Year before that was Noah...
Most of those are pretty good..
The people I have spoke out against are........
2010 - Ekpe Udoh
2009 - Hasheem Thabeet - Teague
2008 - Alexander - Darrell Arthur
2007 - Brandan Wright
This year I am speaking out against Bismack! He's going to suck
Last year it was Cousins, year before was Holiday, and Rubio... Year before that it was Kevin Love and DeAndre Jordan... Year before that was Noah...
Most of those are pretty good..
The people I have spoke out against are........
2010 - Ekpe Udoh
2009 - Hasheem Thabeet - Teague
2008 - Alexander - Darrell Arthur
2007 - Brandan Wright
This year I am speaking out against Bismack! He's going to suck
How would you define bust in regards to Biyumbo? I think he is one of the safer international players in this draft.
What is he at worst? Joel Anthony? and look at how much he is helping Miami just being able to defend and rebound. Biyumbo has a much better body than Anthony, and is a much much much better athlete.
Dont watch the videos for the dunks. I could care less about those, but look at his lateral quickness and foot speed. Its not even comparable to guys like Saer Sene and Thabeet. Thats what killed those guys.. they were billed as defensive players, but they were just too stiff and slow. Biyumbo has that speed those guys lacked.
I dont LOVE Biyumbo. He's not one of those guys I'd bet on .. but compared to the other international players aside fron Kanter, I think he is about as sure a thing as you'll find.
And in no way do I think we should draft him if we can get Dalembert to stay. Hopefully we will have some indication from him by draft time ... but if he tells us he wants to go chase a ring somewhere, you bet I'm giving Biyumbo a long look.
What is he at worst? Joel Anthony? and look at how much he is helping Miami just being able to defend and rebound. Biyumbo has a much better body than Anthony, and is a much much much better athlete.
Dont watch the videos for the dunks. I could care less about those, but look at his lateral quickness and foot speed. Its not even comparable to guys like Saer Sene and Thabeet. Thats what killed those guys.. they were billed as defensive players, but they were just too stiff and slow. Biyumbo has that speed those guys lacked.
I dont LOVE Biyumbo. He's not one of those guys I'd bet on .. but compared to the other international players aside fron Kanter, I think he is about as sure a thing as you'll find.
And in no way do I think we should draft him if we can get Dalembert to stay. Hopefully we will have some indication from him by draft time ... but if he tells us he wants to go chase a ring somewhere, you bet I'm giving Biyumbo a long look.
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I do this every year though don't I?
Last year it was Cousins, year before was Holiday, and Rubio... Year before that it was Kevin Love and DeAndre Jordan... Year before that was Noah...
Most of those are pretty good..
The people I have spoke out against are........
2010 - Ekpe Udoh
2009 - Hasheem Thabeet - Teague
2008 - Alexander - Darrell Arthur
2007 - Brandan Wright
This year I am speaking out against Bismack! He's going to suck
Last year it was Cousins, year before was Holiday, and Rubio... Year before that it was Kevin Love and DeAndre Jordan... Year before that was Noah...
Most of those are pretty good..
The people I have spoke out against are........
2010 - Ekpe Udoh
2009 - Hasheem Thabeet - Teague
2008 - Alexander - Darrell Arthur
2007 - Brandan Wright
This year I am speaking out against Bismack! He's going to suck
TBH, I think I would take him ahead of the other international guys. Biyombo played in a very good league and was productive. IF he can get onto the court in the NBA, he will definitely do two things: rebound and block shots. He has all the ingredients to be an elite NBA defender. People are overlooking this fact due to not seeing him much. Look at the videos - he has a great motor, leaping ability, timing, never gives up on a play. Great athlete and size/length.
I'm not saying we should definitely draft him. I'm saying let's see how he does in private workouts. And if he's locking guys down and blocking shots, then his lottery status is warranted. If Petrie likes him enough to take him, I'm on board. I'm just saying don't rule him out prematurely. There are other guys in this draft with bigger question marks in my opinion.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog?name=nba_draft&id=6578427
So Chad Ford says Knight wont get past us. Interesting .. makes sense I suppose since if he drops to 7 he would most likely be the clear BPA. I still dont see how he fits on our team though .. It will take some movement among our guards... or the dreaded "move Tyreke to SF" Idea.
If Knight does drop to us, it leaves us with a good trade chip if we decide to go in that direction. Only problem being that teams like Philly(Iggy) or Pacers(Granger) already have young point guards they like. However, if the Jazz pick someone like Kanter they may be willing to move favors for a package involving Knight.
So Chad Ford says Knight wont get past us. Interesting .. makes sense I suppose since if he drops to 7 he would most likely be the clear BPA. I still dont see how he fits on our team though .. It will take some movement among our guards... or the dreaded "move Tyreke to SF" Idea.
If Knight does drop to us, it leaves us with a good trade chip if we decide to go in that direction. Only problem being that teams like Philly(Iggy) or Pacers(Granger) already have young point guards they like. However, if the Jazz pick someone like Kanter they may be willing to move favors for a package involving Knight.
To start with, I've personally never said we shouldn't draft Biyombo. I have said that I can't really comment on him, since I've never seen him play in a real game. I don't count all star games. As far as the video goes, the thing I was looking for was any kind of offense other than just a dunk. I don't need to see if he can play defense. There's no doubt that he's very athletic. He seems to have terrific reflexes and timing on his shotblocking. However, he would have to become aquainted with our goaltending rules, since some of his blocks would have been goaltending, and in some cases, fouls. But I'm nitpicking here.
He seems to run the floor well, and his lateral quickness seems excellent. Its his offense that I would be concerned about. In the type of system the Kings are running, he has to have the ability to pull his man out away from the basket. If he has no jumpshot, no one will come out and guard him. That would make it much easier for teams to double team Cousins, or even Tryeke when he trys to drive the lane. I'm not saying he can't, or won't develop an offense away from the basket. I don't know, and I'll leave that up to Petrie to decide. I also saw no ability to handle the ball. As with any highlight video, they showed you all the things he can do, and none of the things he can't do. Thats why they're somewhat worthless when evaluating a player.
Defensively, there's no doubt he would be a great addition. But he has to be able to play offense, and within the system being run. Not saying that down the road he won't be able to do that, but in the short term, at best, he's a project.
He seems to run the floor well, and his lateral quickness seems excellent. Its his offense that I would be concerned about. In the type of system the Kings are running, he has to have the ability to pull his man out away from the basket. If he has no jumpshot, no one will come out and guard him. That would make it much easier for teams to double team Cousins, or even Tryeke when he trys to drive the lane. I'm not saying he can't, or won't develop an offense away from the basket. I don't know, and I'll leave that up to Petrie to decide. I also saw no ability to handle the ball. As with any highlight video, they showed you all the things he can do, and none of the things he can't do. Thats why they're somewhat worthless when evaluating a player.
Defensively, there's no doubt he would be a great addition. But he has to be able to play offense, and within the system being run. Not saying that down the road he won't be able to do that, but in the short term, at best, he's a project.
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I don't see Knight falling to #7. I think he's clearly a better pro prospect than Walker and the argument could be made that he's as good as Irving.
Right now I'd guess that Cleveland takes Irving and then Kanter at #4. It's risky to pin your future on a pair of guys that played 11 games and zero games respectively in the last year. Both are well rounded and skilled guys but I don't see either as a franchise player. Personally I'd go Williams #1 and draft Knight at #4. But I digress. I think Knight is gone before #7. I think Walker will be on the board, but I hope he's not on Petrie's radar.
Right now I'd guess that Cleveland takes Irving and then Kanter at #4. It's risky to pin your future on a pair of guys that played 11 games and zero games respectively in the last year. Both are well rounded and skilled guys but I don't see either as a franchise player. Personally I'd go Williams #1 and draft Knight at #4. But I digress. I think Knight is gone before #7. I think Walker will be on the board, but I hope he's not on Petrie's radar.