It's early, but anybody have a draft wish list yet?

[DesertFox]

That's what I don't like about Barnes. He didn't have the quickness in college, much less the pros, to break down his man off the dribble. That's why I'd be very dissapointed if we were in the top 5 and took him. He'll make his money running off picks and setting up at the 3 pt line in the pros, but that doesn't warrant that high of a pick.

But that's exactly what this team needs. Don't want to see another player who needs the ball to be effective with Cousins and Reke around.

2 years ago many (I included) thought OKC was foolish for picking Harden. I won't say Harden is a better player than Reke, but now I can definitely see why he's a better fit for OKC.

 

[bajaden]

But that's exactly what this team needs. Don't want to see another player who needs the ball to be effective with Cousins and Reke around.

2 years ago many (I included) thought OKC was foolish for picking Harden. I won't say Harden is a better player than Reke, but now I can definitely see why he's a better fit for OKC.

Well I had Harden rated pretty high, and thought OKC got a steal. But as far as what a player can or can not do, is irrelevant as to what you need him to do. The fact that you don't want a SF on the team that will be the focus of the offense, doesn't necessarily mean you want a player that lacks the skills to be that focus. Simply put, just because a player is gifted offensively, doesn't mean he has to use all those gifts. At least not if he's a team player. But having those gifts makes him a player you have to guard, and that helps open up the offense for everyone else.

If you watch the Spurs play, they have a lot of players that can hurt you, but they play as a team. They don't seem to care who scores the ball. If a player gets hot, they keep feeding him until he gets cold, and it doesn't matter who it is. I grant you that they have a very mature and experienced team with who I think is the best coach in basketball in Pop's. But thats what you should strive for. To think you don't want a player because he's too talented is foolhardy.

 

[KingsCitizen]

I'm too anxious about the final lottery positions that I'm now even inclined to draft Drummond and let JT walk.

Here's why:
1.) Looking at a decade of UConn basketball, they really haven't cultivated well the bigs that arrived there to become effective NBA talents. I'm not a college game observer but comparing Drummond's HS games to his UConn days, I'd say he wasn't utilized there to grow but rather forced to contribute in an uncomfortable manner.
2.) I have confidence in our big man coach who really slowed down JT's erratic decisions, pumped DMC, and even gave us a serviceable Whiteside.
3.) Drummond is already a good weakside blocker and solid motor which makes him a good compliment to DMC.
4.) With DMC's offensive arsenal, Drummond can live with dunks and alley-oops and will have all the time in the world to develop his offense and start his rookie year mainly for defensive purposes and clogging the lanes.
5.) Drummond has a higher ceiling than JT and his rookie salary would give us more rooms for signing better talents to support him and DMC.
6.) I trust in Petrie's talent evaluation that if he drafts Drummond, I'd easily declare we made a steal.
7.) Drummond is a leaper which we badly need to compliment DMC's ground bound game.

 

[hrdboild]

One thing I want to mention about Barnes. For some reason I think people are under-estimating his athleticism. He's a good athlete with good size and length. He just doesn't seem to have quite the lateral quickness as MKG and he struggled taking his man off the dribble. I would currently take him 4th if Davis, MKG, Robinson are off the board, because I see him as a Luol Deng sort of player, who can be a very productive SF on a good team.

Honestly, I'm kindof lost on who Harrison Barnes is at this point. Because the player I watched for two years at North Carolina is not the same player I saw in high school. He was probably the best wing prospect coming out of high school since Lebron James. He had size, he had skills, he had athleticism, he was very well-spoken and professional. There's a reason he was ranked as a pre-season All-American before he played a single game of college basketball. A few years ago, before the age limit, he wouldn't have ever played a game of college basketball. And he was a good player at North Carolina -- still a lottery prospect, a solid role-player with some skills that should translate to the NBA -- but he only rarely looked like the sure-thing star player that he seemed like he was going to be.

I feel pretty good about his work ethic-- ball handling seemed like his biggest weakness and he's been going to Chris Paul's PG camp for three years in a row now to work on it. His jumpshot is solid and he's got some post skills to take advantage of his size. He's a sneaky good athlete, like a James Harden. He picks his spots to use it, but I've seen him throw down some explosive dunks and rise up over everybody to pull down tough rebounds. But it's frustrating to watch a player who seems like they have the talent to take over games whenever they feel like it just playing conservatively. In terms of pure talent, he's the number 1 pick this year for me. But will he ever get there? I really don't know right now. I'd feel better about it if I could explain what happened with him the last two years that caused him to under perform. Maybe Roy Williams didn't know how to use him and he respected the coach too much to force the issue? Whatever it is, I think it's 50/50 whether he breaks out in the league and reminds people why he was so coveted to begin with, or he simply continues to have a solid, if not disappointing basketball career.

I'd consider him as high as #3 but he scares me. He scares me a lot as a prospect because I can't figure him out.

 

[The_Jamal]

But that's exactly what this team needs. Don't want to see another player who needs the ball to be effective with Cousins and Reke around.

2 years ago many (I included) thought OKC was foolish for picking Harden. I won't say Harden is a better player than Reke, but now I can definitely see why he's a better fit for OKC.

Harden is easily a better player than Reke. Not a knock on Reke, but Harden has figured it out and is well on his way to becoming the best SG in the NBA. He's already for sure #4 this season, has a case for #3, and I see him being better than Kobe and Wade in 2 years time.

Potential is still on Reke's side imo, but as of now he's just that: Potential.

 

[Gilles]

Harden is a better player than Tyreke right now. What I don't understand is people defending Harden reacting to his hesitation moves showing going left and right and always going to the left in the end. Just take his left and let him beat you with his right hand.

 

[bajaden]

I'm too anxious about the final lottery positions that I'm now even inclined to draft Drummond and let JT walk.

Here's why:
1.) Looking at a decade of UConn basketball, they really haven't cultivated well the bigs that arrived there to become effective NBA talents. I'm not a college game observer but comparing Drummond's HS games to his UConn days, I'd say he wasn't utilized there to grow but rather forced to contribute in an uncomfortable manner.
2.) I have confidence in our big man coach who really slowed down JT's erratic decisions, pumped DMC, and even gave us a serviceable Whiteside.
3.) Drummond is already a good weakside blocker and solid motor which makes him a good compliment to DMC.
4.) With DMC's offensive arsenal, Drummond can live with dunks and alley-oops and will have all the time in the world to develop his offense and start his rookie year mainly for defensive purposes and clogging the lanes.
5.) Drummond has a higher ceiling than JT and his rookie salary would give us more rooms for signing better talents to support him and DMC.
6.) I trust in Petrie's talent evaluation that if he drafts Drummond, I'd easily declare we made a steal.
7.) Drummond is a leaper which we badly need to compliment DMC's ground bound game.

I hate to tell you this, but Drummond gained the reputation for disappearing in games while in highschool. The difference was, that in highschool he was going up against 6'7" centers more often than he went up against someone his own size. He could dominate without even trying. I saw him disappear in the Nike summit all star game. I'm not denying his talent, but the dude has a lot to prove before I draft him and just let the second best big man on the roster walk away.

Why in god's name do some folks think that JT has no stinking value to the team? You want Drummond next to Cousins, then draft him and then let him outplay Thompson! Make him earn the position, because he hasn't proved anything yet. I have some advice for you. Before making judgements on how a player was used, you might try watching some games. There's a reason why a lot of us that did, have serious reservations about Drummond.

 

[bajaden]

Honestly, I'm kindof lost on who Harrison Barnes is at this point. Because the player I watched for two years at North Carolina is not the same player I saw in high school. He was probably the best wing prospect coming out of high school since Lebron James. He had size, he had skills, he had athleticism, he was very well-spoken and professional. There's a reason he was ranked as a pre-season All-American before he played a single game of college basketball. A few years ago, before the age limit, he wouldn't have ever played a game of college basketball. And he was a good player at North Carolina -- still a lottery prospect, a solid role-player with some skills that should translate to the NBA -- but he only rarely looked like the sure-thing star player that he seemed like he was going to be.

I feel pretty good about his work ethic-- ball handling seemed like his biggest weakness and he's been going to Chris Paul's PG camp for three years in a row now to work on it. His jumpshot is solid and he's got some post skills to take advantage of his size. He's a sneaky good athlete, like a James Harden. He picks his spots to use it, but I've seen him throw down some explosive dunks and rise up over everybody to pull down tough rebounds. But it's frustrating to watch a player who seems like they have the talent to take over games whenever they feel like it just playing conservatively. In terms of pure talent, he's the number 1 pick this year for me. But will he ever get there? I really don't know right now. I'd feel better about it if I could explain what happened with him the last two years that caused him to under perform. Maybe Roy Williams didn't know how to use him and he respected the coach too much to force the issue? Whatever it is, I think it's 50/50 whether he breaks out in the league and reminds people why he was so coveted to begin with, or he simply continues to have a solid, if not disappointing basketball career.

I'd consider him as high as #3 but he scares me. He scares me a lot as a prospect because I can't figure him out.

I don't think you can go too wrong with Barnes. He's too talented to be a bust. He's a good athlete, and he has excellent size and length for the SF position. So at worse, I think he'll be a solid positional player. But all the questions your asking is the same questions I, Uncia03, and probably the majority of the NBA scouts are asking. The obvious answer is, he was confronted with a much higher level of competition than he expected, and just didn't rise to the occasion.

At times it appeared to me, that he was afraid to fail. He came in with such fanfare and high expectations, that perhaps it was just too much pressure. We forget that these are kids, and they're all different. In fairness to him, he did improve parts of his game. Its just that everyone was expecting more. If I'm sitting at 5 or 6, I'd certainly have to consider taking him, depending on who else is available at the time. What we shouldn't do, is lump him in with P. Jones or Drummond, both of whom were serious underaccheivers. He's better than that.

 

[bajaden]

Harden is a better player than Tyreke right now. What I don't understand is people defending Harden reacting to his hesitation moves showing going left and right and always going to the left in the end. Just take his left and let him beat you with his right hand.

Not uncommon though. I think the good defenders do try and take away his left hand. To some degree, lefty's have a small advantage because there aren't that many of them. Sort of like a right handed boxer fighting a left handed boxer. Always a problem because you don't face that many. However, no excuse! I could name a lot of players that are mostly one handed, but still manage to get their points.

I love Harden by the way. I loved him in college, where he was basicly the lead guard. There's not much he can't do. Does need to learn how to shave though..

 

[KingsCitizen]

I hate to tell you this, but Drummond gained the reputation for disappearing in games while in highschool. The difference was, that in highschool he was going up against 6'7" centers more often than he went up against someone his own size. He could dominate without even trying. I saw him disappear in the Nike summit all star game. I'm not denying his talent, but the dude has a lot to prove before I draft him and just let the second best big man on the roster walk away.

Why in god's name do some folks think that JT has no stinking value to the team? You want Drummond next to Cousins, then draft him and then let him outplay Thompson! Make him earn the position, because he hasn't proved anything yet. I have some advice for you. Before making judgements on how a player was used, you might try watching some games. There's a reason why a lot of us that did, have serious reservations about Drummond.

First off, by disagreeing with you, I'm not saying that I know that ultimate truth. I'm barely sharing my opinion here. And I don't mind folks like you disagreeing since I know you spent a lot college games scouting.
I started liking the idea of having Drummond next to Cousins because of his elite motors and NBA ready build.

He does have a reputation of disappearing in games but when he's playing next to Cuz, it won't be a big deal.
IMO, even if we draft Drummond, DMC would still be the primary offensive big man on this team.
What Drummond will provide that JT doesn't do on regular basis is that guy who roams around the rim that has a very good weakside defender capability and a monster alley-oop waiting to happen.

The reason I'd let JT walk if Petrie drafts Drummond is because I believe that if you draft the kid with the highest potential on the draft, you show him your confidence in him from the start by giving him starter minutes from day 1.
But then again, I'll trust Petrie's evaluation on this.

 

[Uncia03]

First off, by disagreeing with you, I'm not saying that I know that ultimate truth. I'm barely sharing my opinion here. And I don't mind folks like you disagreeing since I know you spent a lot college games scouting.
I started liking the idea of having Drummond next to Cousins because of his elite motors and NBA ready build.

He does have a reputation of disappearing in games but when he's playing next to Cuz, it won't be a big deal.
IMO, even if we draft Drummond, DMC would still be the primary offensive big man on this team.
What Drummond will provide that JT doesn't do on regular basis is that guy who roams around the rim that has a very good weakside defender capability and a monster alley-oop waiting to happen.

The reason I'd let JT walk if Petrie drafts Drummond is because I believe that if you draft the kid with the highest potential on the draft, you show him your confidence in him from the start by giving him starter minutes from day 1.
But then again, I'll trust Petrie's evaluation on this.

All the things you mention are the reasons why Drummond has consistently been the #2 or #3 player in the NBA draft rankings.

Here's the issue: Anthony Davis was the #1 guy along with Drummond going into the season, and by the end of the season you knew Davis was the real deal and would perform well for any NBA team that drafted him.
Drummond is now #2/#3 with the hope that he will be the real deal and will perform well for the NBA team that drafts him.

All the things that you mention (roaming around the rim, very good weakside defender capability, monster alley-oops) those are the things that you expected to see on a regular basis as he went up against college defenders who are all smaller than him and less athletic than him.
The issue is that all that stuff never happened.

He very rarely had an impact on the game either on the defensive end or the offensive end. How in the world could that have happened?
The answer is that I don't know, and neither do all the NBA scouts who were watching.

At the start of every UCONN game the announcers would talk about Drummond and all that you would expect him to do on the court, and time and time again, they would begin to talk about how he needs to have an imprint on the game, but it wasn't there.

It doesn't make you optimistic that he's going to magically figure it out against NBA-level competition. Remember that UCONN also put Thabeet in a position to succeed at the Center spot, so much so, that they tricked Memphis in taking him #2 overall. Also remember that Oriakhi who was the starting Center for their championship team the year before came back, and Drummond started over him, and frankly didn't play well enough to start over him.

So on paper, prior to the actual play of the college season, if someone told me that I would get Drummond to pair next to Cousins I would be out-of-my-mind estatic, because he looks to be the perfect fit.
After watching game-in and game-out, each game making me like him less and less, I'm not anywhere near as high on him. I'll still take him 5th in the draft, just due to the potential, but it would be a hesitant 5th selection, and if a deal came up to trade the 5th pick + parts for Iggy and the #15 pick, I probably make that deal.

 

[bajaden]

First off, by disagreeing with you, I'm not saying that I know that ultimate truth. I'm barely sharing my opinion here. And I don't mind folks like you disagreeing since I know you spent a lot college games scouting.
I started liking the idea of having Drummond next to Cousins because of his elite motors and NBA ready build.

He does have a reputation of disappearing in games but when he's playing next to Cuz, it won't be a big deal.
IMO, even if we draft Drummond, DMC would still be the primary offensive big man on this team.
What Drummond will provide that JT doesn't do on regular basis is that guy who roams around the rim that has a very good weakside defender capability and a monster alley-oop waiting to happen.

The reason I'd let JT walk if Petrie drafts Drummond is because I believe that if you draft the kid with the highest potential on the draft, you show him your confidence in him from the start by giving him starter minutes from day 1.
But then again, I'll trust Petrie's evaluation on this.

First, since you mentioned the word motor, thats where the problem lies. No one disputes his ability, its that he doesn't use those abilities. Cuz, has a motor! Misused at times, but he has one. What I and most people question, is whether Drummond has one. There are scouts that question whether he even likes basketball, and only plays it because he's 6'10", 270 pounds, and is an athletic freak.

Second, its not, and shouldn't be an either/or thing with Drummond and JT. Because you aquire one, doesn't mean you should get rid of the other. Now if its not financially feasible, thats another story, but your trying to build a team. The Kings have 4 yr's invested in JT, and now, that he appears ready to be a solid player in the rotation, you want to just let him walk away. Thats a player you want to keep. JT is an good example of how hard work, and keeping yourself in top shape pays off. Thats the kind of veteran player you want. Someone thats not only a good example, but is a very productive player.

Third, you don't just give a position to a rookie to show your confidence in him. You make him earn it. Just giving players something that they haven't earned is part of whats gotten the Kings in trouble in the first place. They just gave JT the starting job. They just gave Hawes the starting job. They just gave Tyreke the starting job. None of those players had earned that position. I grant you, that some of it was out of necessity, but also stupidity. Nothing in life should just be given to you. You should earn it.

Down here in mexico, there's a saying. Never give anyone anything for free. If you give a poor mexican kid a bicycle, it'll be destroyed in short order, and he'll bring it back to you for repair. But if you make him pay just one dollar for it, he'll take great care of it, because he bought it. Drummond hasn't earned anyone's confidence. Do you think for one moment, that if the Spurs drafted Drummond, that Pop's would just give him the starting job? No way in hell! Confidence is like respect, you have to earn it, otherwise its worthless!

 

[KingsCitizen]

First, since you mentioned the word motor, thats where the problem lies. No one disputes his ability, its that he doesn't use those abilities. Cuz, has a motor! Misused at times, but he has one. What I and most people question, is whether Drummond has one. There are scouts that question whether he even likes basketball, and only plays it because he's 6'10", 270 pounds, and is an athletic freak.

Second, its not, and shouldn't be an either/or thing with Drummond and JT. Because you aquire one, doesn't mean you should get rid of the other. Now if its not financially feasible, thats another story, but your trying to build a team. The Kings have 4 yr's invested in JT, and now, that he appears ready to be a solid player in the rotation, you want to just let him walk away. Thats a player you want to keep. JT is an good example of how hard work, and keeping yourself in top shape pays off. Thats the kind of veteran player you want. Someone thats not only a good example, but is a very productive player.

Third, you don't just give a position to a rookie to show your confidence in him. You make him earn it. Just giving players something that they haven't earned is part of whats gotten the Kings in trouble in the first place. They just gave JT the starting job. They just gave Hawes the starting job. They just gave Tyreke the starting job. None of those players had earned that position. I grant you, that some of it was out of necessity, but also stupidity. Nothing in life should just be given to you. You should earn it.

Down here in mexico, there's a saying. Never give anyone anything for free. If you give a poor mexican kid a bicycle, it'll be destroyed in short order, and he'll bring it back to you for repair. But if you make him pay just one dollar for it, he'll take great care of it, because he bought it. Drummond hasn't earned anyone's confidence. Do you think for one moment, that if the Spurs drafted Drummond, that Pop's would just give him the starting job? No way in hell! Confidence is like respect, you have to earn it, otherwise its worthless!

If Petrie picks Drummond over guys not named Anthony Davis, I doubt he doesn't have confidence in that kid. In my barrio, if you got a lottery pick in a very deep draft, you make sure that kid gets as much exposure as possible to speed up his development. We'll maybe its better to do a sign and trade with JT to get a better value in return. But I just don't see 2 quality young bigs happily playing only 15 mins each game.

And sometimes, making a rookie fight for his minutes doesn't really end up helping them especially if the vet ahead of them is always a tad better than him. Some of them would just suck from the bench and once they get traded and get those starter minutes, that's the time they will shine. But unfortunately by that time they're already on another team and now the vet you priced so much has now regressed.

 

[Rookie]

Well anything can happen but the "earn your minute" approach is still the better approach IMO.

Despite all the changes and chaos that one has to deal with when playing for this team, I think JT got the most respectable attitude. He still find way to improve his game, self-motivated and always been a team player. I think this team would be in worst shape if it hadn't been for JT. Basically I hope we keep JT (at a reasonable price of course) even if we draft a C/PF.

I can see Cuz/Drummond/JT sharing 96 minutes..so JT could easily be in the 20ish minutes a game. Also rookie defensive bigs are most likely to get into foul trouble in the NBA IMO.

 

[bajaden]

If Petrie picks Drummond over guys not named Anthony Davis, I doubt he doesn't have confidence in that kid. In my barrio, if you got a lottery pick in a very deep draft, you make sure that kid gets as much exposure as possible to speed up his development. We'll maybe its better to do a sign and trade with JT to get a better value in return. But I just don't see 2 quality young bigs happily playing only 15 mins each game.

And sometimes, making a rookie fight for his minutes doesn't really end up helping them especially if the vet ahead of them is always a tad better than him. Some of them would just suck from the bench and once they get traded and get those starter minutes, that's the time they will shine. But unfortunately by that time they're already on another team and now the vet you priced so much has now regressed.

So your idea of how to build a team, is to draft a young big, invest your time and money in him for 4 yr's, and then, just as he's developed into a solid player in the NBA, you let him walk away so another team can reap the benefits of your labors. Sorry, I'm done here. That just isn't logical.

 

[KingsCitizen]

So your idea of how to build a team, is to draft a young big, invest your time and money in him for 4 yr's, and then, just as he's developed into a solid player in the NBA, you let him walk away so another team can reap the benefits of your labors. Sorry, I'm done here. That just isn't logical.

Well, we just did that to Mr. Hawes when we drafted Cousins. And look where DMC is now? If DMC was playing behind Hawes and JT at his rookie year as where earning minutes would apply, I doubt he'll develop this quick. The thing with letting JT walk if we draft Drummond is that like Cousins-Hawes scenario, Drummond easily have a higher ceiling, IMO, than JT.

So my alternative is to let JT walk so we can have capspace to sign a good player to complement Drummond, DMC, and Reke. Or do a sign and trade with JT. Either way, we already have Hayes who, IMO, is a better mentor to young bigs and Whiteside who is now starting to be serviceable. I don't hate JT but at this point his stock is nearing its peak and he'll either net us a good player to complement the roster (if we draft a guy like Drummond) or cost us a hefty amount while possibly just playing less than 20 mins a game at the same time hindering the progress of possibly very good big man we just drafted.

And I should mention how Gerald Wallace just boomed in Charlotte or MT here in Sacramento after their potential was almost forgotten over veterans playing ahead of them. Anyway, I'm not an anti-JT fan. If we won't draft a big with higher ceiling than him, I'm all in favor of resigning JT.

 

[Gilles]

Or fighting for playing time would force Cousins work even harder, especially on defense, and not try some of the worst junk shots he throws now from time to time. Also he's too talented not to take starting spot mid way through the season anyway.

 

[bajaden]

Well, we just did that to Mr. Hawes when we drafted Cousins. And look where DMC is now? If DMC was playing behind Hawes and JT at his rookie year as where earning minutes would apply, I doubt he'll develop this quick. The thing with letting JT walk if we draft Drummond is that like Cousins-Hawes scenario, Drummond easily have a higher ceiling, IMO, than JT.

So my alternative is to let JT walk so we can have capspace to sign a good player to complement Drummond, DMC, and Reke. Or do a sign and trade with JT. Either way, we already have Hayes who, IMO, is a better mentor to young bigs and Whiteside who is now starting to be serviceable. I don't hate JT but at this point his stock is nearing its peak and he'll either net us a good player to complement the roster (if we draft a guy like Drummond) or cost us a hefty amount while possibly just playing less than 20 mins a game at the same time hindering the progress of possibly very good big man we just drafted.

And I should mention how Gerald Wallace just boomed in Charlotte or MT here in Sacramento after their potential was almost forgotten over veterans playing ahead of them. Anyway, I'm not an anti-JT fan. If we won't draft a big with higher ceiling than him, I'm all in favor of resigning JT.

We didn't let Hawes walk, we traded him for Dalembert, with the idea that Dalembert would be an upgrade. And he was! unfortunately we didn't resign him. One thing I don't think your getting. Right now, JT is a much better basketball player than Drummond. Thats a fact! Now its possible that in a couple of years, Drummond might be what we would all like him to be, but thats hardly a guarantee. Now if the team wants to take a gamble on Drummond, then fine, but you make sure you keep JT for insurance.

I had these same arguements two years ago about Whiteside. I had these same arguements about Thabeet. How would you have liked it if we had drafted Whiteside in the first round and got rid of JT. There's more to basketball than jumping up in the air and blocking shots. And, by the way, I seriously doubt that Petrie would have let Wallace go if he had a choice. He could only protect 8 players, and Gerald was the odd man out. Had it not been for an expansion club, he would have probably stayed a King.

Anyway, I'm just wasting my time talking to you. You simply don't get it. You asked for info about a player because you hadn't seen him play in college, and then you argue with the very people you asked. Do me a favor, next time don't ask.

 

[KingsCitizen]

I may have asked you about Drummond in whichever post I made in the past but right now my argument is within the context of how to groom him "if ever" Petrie picked him as our lottery pick. It's more of a reactive notion and not something like I'm forcing people to draft him. I'm simply favoring the idea of giving him as much minutes as possible, "if we draft him", and letting JT walk will be one of those consequences.

The elephant in room here is Hayes, who I believe would eventually turn into K9 2.0 if we add another big. I'm surely in the minority here but that's just how I'd like to approach the roster "IF" we draft a Drummond. We may need another serviceable big man if JT will walk but those bigs would cost way less than JT would earn once he teams starts to offer him.

I'm just tired of looking at our bench who earns way more than our starters. I like JT but if we get a guy like Drummond, economy would surely be a big factor. You don't get me, but I got your points very clearly. I'm probably just a crazy dude who loves to solve puzzles in a manner most people won't do. I read books starting from the last chapters going to first, btw.

 

[Glenn]

I may have asked you about Drummond in whichever post I made in the past but right now my argument is within the context of how to groom him "if ever" Petrie picked him as our lottery pick. It's more of a reactive notion and not something like I'm forcing people to draft him. I'm simply favoring the idea of giving him as much minutes as possible, "if we draft him", and letting JT walk will be one of those consequences.

The elephant in room here is Hayes, who I believe would eventually turn into K9 2.0 if we add another big. I'm surely in the minority here but that's just how I'd like to approach the roster "IF" we draft a Drummond. We may need another serviceable big man if JT will walk but those bigs would cost way less than JT would earn once he teams starts to offer him.

I'm just tired of looking at our bench who earns way more than our starters. I like JT but if we get a guy like Drummond, economy would surely be a big factor. You don't get me, but I got your points very clearly. I'm probably just a crazy dude who loves to solve puzzles in a manner most people won't do. I read books starting from the last chapters going to first, btw.

I don't understand why we let JT walk. We need as many NBA caliber bigs as we can get as right now we have two. We need three. JT isn't going to hold back the development of anyone. There are plenty of minutes left for three big guys especially when one is foul prone. Using this fantasied draft where we pick up Drummond as the scenario to discuss (shudder), we need to allow for the times when Cuz is unavailable and Drummond needs a big playing next to him. We also need protection against injury. Injuries are part of the game and we need backup players to make up the slack.

The whole idea of making room for Drummond is a whole other argument as there are possibilities he will fail in the NBA just as he seemed to do in college.

 

[Spike]

You know, we could clear room for Drummond by removing 80% of our starting forwards...

 

[rekehavoc73186]

when is the nba draft lottery and the actual draft?

 

[bajaden]

when is the nba draft lottery and the actual draft?

The lottery is may 30th, and the draft is scheduled for june 28th.

 

[rekehavoc73186]

The lottery is may 30th, and the draft is scheduled for june 28th.

ok thx

 

[Kingster]

First, since you mentioned the word motor, thats where the problem lies. No one disputes his ability, its that he doesn't use those abilities. Cuz, has a motor! Misused at times, but he has one. What I and most people question, is whether Drummond has one. There are scouts that question whether he even likes basketball, and only plays it because he's 6'10", 270 pounds, and is an athletic freak.

Second, its not, and shouldn't be an either/or thing with Drummond and JT. Because you aquire one, doesn't mean you should get rid of the other. Now if its not financially feasible, thats another story, but your trying to build a team. The Kings have 4 yr's invested in JT, and now, that he appears ready to be a solid player in the rotation, you want to just let him walk away. Thats a player you want to keep. JT is an good example of how hard work, and keeping yourself in top shape pays off. Thats the kind of veteran player you want. Someone thats not only a good example, but is a very productive player.

Third, you don't just give a position to a rookie to show your confidence in him. You make him earn it. Just giving players something that they haven't earned is part of whats gotten the Kings in trouble in the first place. They just gave JT the starting job. They just gave Hawes the starting job. They just gave Tyreke the starting job. None of those players had earned that position. I grant you, that some of it was out of necessity, but also stupidity. Nothing in life should just be given to you. You should earn it.

Down here in mexico, there's a saying. Never give anyone anything for free. If you give a poor mexican kid a bicycle, it'll be destroyed in short order, and he'll bring it back to you for repair. But if you make him pay just one dollar for it, he'll take great care of it, because he bought it. Drummond hasn't earned anyone's confidence. Do you think for one moment, that if the Spurs drafted Drummond, that Pop's would just give him the starting job? No way in hell! Confidence is like respect, you have to earn it, otherwise its worthless!

They need to export that to the USA.

 

[Boogie-havoc]

I still don't get why we need to wait so long for the Lottery to happen.

That's just so annoying.

 

[bajaden]

I still don't get why we need to wait so long for the Lottery to happen.

That's just so annoying.

Yeah, I agree. I guess the league wants to build drama. I believe the NBA combine is the following week.

 

[Boogie-havoc]

Yeah, I agree. I guess the league wants to build drama. I believe the NBA combine is the following week.

They should air it like the NFL with like workouts and stuff, atleast give us a sip or smth! we're dieing here

 

[bajaden]

They should air it like the NFL with like workouts and stuff, atleast give us a sip or smth! we're dieing here

Actually, they do air it. Not totally to the extent the NFL does which runs four days, but they usually have two days of coverage. I believe, and I'm sure the Capt or 101 will correct me if otherwise, thats its on NBA TV.

 

[Uk kings fan]

can somone let me know why do they have such massive breaks inbetween amarican sport seasons??? its the only sport i have ever scene where there is massive breaks where teams actually do nothing.... its so annoying for fans!!!