Draft Thread

[andjel]

For playoff competing purposes shot blocker is not mandatory, and that should be the goal for now.
Since I do not see how we could address SF or Shot Blocking in this draft... I am very happy camper with what we got.

Kings did not become contenders until JW was traded for Bibby and DC was acquired... but were still competitive team before that (which Kings should strive for near future to keep our nucleus together)... and btw there was no shot blocking interior intimidator on that team.

 

[Glenn]

Oh get a hold of your emotions, I don't think Brick is saying that. Robinson is a good pick, but there's no question that he doesn't fit as well as say MKG would. The point Brick is trying to make is that we still have holes that we absolutely need to fill, because as good as a player and addition Robinson is, he doesn't fill them. We've added good value to our team, but our team is only as strong as our weakest link, and so we've got to address those issues too.

We haven't filled a need unless you think having a better PF than JT is a good deal. We couldn't fill a need so I don't understand the anger or whatever we will call the reaction. Yes, it was disappointing that we didn't get MKG but we have to deal with that reality. I am not going to wallow in my beer. My glass is half full and will be until the summer is over and the next season begins. We have failed at nothing until the next season starts and then I'll be pissed if we haven't done good things like sign AK47 or something like that.

 

[mac]

You're all completely missing the point of Brick's posts. It's already been explained pretty clearly.

I agree.

Btw, for those who still don't understand the value of a shotblocker - remember our games against OKC? Remember how friggin afraid all our guys were of attacking the rim, because Ibaka was racking up block after block? That is the true value of rim protectors. Blocking 1 or 2 shots a game doesn't impact the other team's offensive performance much. Making them think twice and hesitate on their drives, throw their layups slightly higher off the glass, that's what makes a very very big difference.

And before you all jump on me I'm just pointing out the real value of a shotblocker, I'm not saying we should have drafted John Henson over TRob.

 

[Gilles]

Totally agree. The board has gone off the deep end on shot blocking. Instead of knowing how lucky they are in getting Robinson they are crying in their beer.

No need to be arrogant and condescending. This team is very talented but imbalanced. It's not outlandish that fit can improve Kings a lot more than more talent. If Evans and Cousins are expected to leave, Robinson is a 100% great pick.

 

[Bricklayer]

Brick... you have some weird fascination with blocks. Some of the best teams in the league were near the bottom in blocks per team. Some of the worst were near the top. Blocks can be exciting, sure, but there is much more to defense than the number of blocks your team can put up...

I'd rather have to look for a defensive SF (Hint: roleplayer) than a potential franchise PF. One is MUCH easier to get than the other.

As I've mentioend before, I don't have a weird fascination with blocks, NBA teams that focus on defense have a "weird" fascination with blocks. Or more precisely fans have a weird fascination in trying to deny them that does not translate over to people who actually know the sport and direct the teams.

And BTW, as I just got done explaining above "blocks" is only a crude way to compare teams. Its not about "blocks" per se, certainly not teamwide blcoks. Its about defensive intimidation, and specifically having A major defensive intimidator (although more than 1 would be nice). In no way shape or form is 3 guys guys who each block 0.8 shots = to 1 guy who blocks 2.4 shots. Hence saying oh Orlando was near the bottom of the league in blocks last year is ridiculous. Orlando has Dwight Howard. If not one single other player ont eh team notched a block all year they still would have been one of the most intimidating interior defensive teams, because they have the great shotblocker/intimidator to anchor the middle. Your PG notching a few here or there, or your chubby PF coming up with a surprise block every other game doesn't add anything to your intimidation. The Magic had Dwight. The Spurs had what's left of only the greatest defensive PF of all time, Atlanta had Josh Smith. The Clippers had DeAndre Jordan. New York had Tyson Chandler (who classically intimidates without blocking that many by using the threat of the block and tremendous length). Every "good" team you find down in the botto half of blocks is in fact anchored by a very effective major shotblocker/intimidator. Who we got?

 

[Dime Dropper]

Gary, Drummond is not iffy on defense. IIRC he held his opponent to a very low FG%, better than most other big men prospects as well as blocking shots.


Where do people think we go in the second round? We're already pretty overcrowded with bigs and guards so the logical choice is SF. But we didn't work out any good ones. If O'Quinn is there, I think we take him. He's certainly the right type of big man to take, although there's really not much space for him. Still, I'd be happy to take him and try to trade Hayes somehow.

Dream scenario is Jeffery Taylor or PJIII falling. It won't happen though, teams will take a chance on them before it gets to us. Other players I'd like that could fall (but likely won't): Moultrie, Teague, Ezeli, Quincy Miller, Darius Miller. Actually nearly all of those guys would be great at that spot, and there's a solid chance at least one of them will fall. Teague is a good defender and could actually turn into the perfect starting PG for us. Some intriguing SFs still available too. Ezeli is a big guy that loves to block shots, very athletic with an Ibaka like body.

 

[DesertFox]

For playoff competing purposes shot blocker is not mandatory, and that should be the goal for now.
Since I do not see how we could address SF or Shot Blocking in this draft... I am very happy camper with what we got.

Kings did not become contenders until JW was traded for Bibby and DC was acquired... but were still competitive team before that (which Kings should strive for near future to keep our nucleus together)... and btw there was no shot blocking interior intimidator on that team.

Yeah, the shot blocking doesn't have to be here now. It's one thing if this will be the team that will be bringing it for the next 5 years. But a lot can change, and there is still a lot of time to add that shot blocker. And as much as I loved Henson, I'll admit he'll never be as good as Robinson.

The team is better and lucky for having him, and there's still lots of time to add those championship pieces.

 

[Gilles]

If Moultrie or PJIII is there at #36, who do you take.

 

[Gary]

I agree.

Btw, for those who still don't understand the value of a shotblocker - remember our games against OKC? Remember how friggin afraid all our guys were of attacking the rim, because Ibaka was racking up block after block? That is the true value of rim protectors. Blocking 1 or 2 shots a game doesn't impact the other team's offensive performance much. Making them think twice and hesitate on their drives, throw their layups slightly higher off the glass, that's what makes a very very big difference.

But again, I would rather have a guy like Robinson over a guy like Javale McGee. No contest. McGee blocks shots, but plays crappy defense. A guy like Drummond plays iffy D and cannot rebound but he can block shots. They end up giving away more points than a guy like Robinson would with solid D and solid defensive rebounding.

I LOVE shot blockers though. But It's more of a luxury item and I hope Whiteside can fill that role. You don't need shot blocking to win a title but you do need good defense and good defensive rebounding to limit second chance points..

 

[VF21]

No need to be arrogant and condescending. This team is very talented but imbalanced. It's not outlandish that fit can improve Kings a lot more than more talent. If Evans and Cousins are expected to leave, Robinson is a 100% great pick.

Really? I didn't see anything wrong with Kingster's post. Can't people just discuss and disagree without resorting to the use of insults?

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

PGIII can't possibly fall to #36. No chance.

 

[dmj]

Blocking shots is a pretty vital part of any defense, and there aren't many championship teams that don't have a prominent player who excels at it. As Brick pointed out, a good shot blocker will effect the game beyond simply getting blocks. That being said, when you draft in the top 5 you absolutely must get the best player available. I think there was a significant drop-off in talent between Robinson and guys like Henson and Drummond--especially Drummond. Like I said before, bad teams need to find there superstars (which we haven't done, frankly) and then build around them.

 

[mac]

Any chance of Taylor falling to us?

 

[Uncia03]

Gary, Drummond is not iffy on defense. IIRC he held his opponent to a very low FG%, better than most other big men prospects as well as blocking shots.


Where do people think we go in the second round? We're already pretty overcrowded with bigs and guards so the logical choice is SF. But we didn't work out any good ones. If O'Quinn is there, I think we take him. He's certainly the right type of big man to take, although there's really not much space for him. Still, I'd be happy to take him and try to trade Hayes somehow.

Dream scenario is Jeffery Taylor or PJIII falling. It won't happen though, teams will take a chance on them before it gets to us. Other players I'd like that could fall (but likely won't): Moultrie, Teague, Ezeli, Quincy Miller, Darius Miller. Actually nearly all of those guys would be great at that spot, and there's a solid chance at least one of them will fall. Teague is a good defender and could actually turn into the perfect starting PG for us. Some intriguing SFs still available too. Ezeli is a big guy that loves to block shots, very athletic with an Ibaka like body.

There are going to be a lot of good players to choose from.

Of course the dream would be for Taylor to fall....but I don't see that happening.
I can't at all see PJIII falling to 36, but if he's there you have to take him.

 

[Uncia03]

Tony Wroten goes to Memphis.

I expect him to be a very good player.

 

[Gary]

I am soooooo glad we did not get Waiters.. Talk about Tyreke Evans light with a better jump shot.. His game is SO much like Evans game down to the stupid fade away jump shot when you don't have anyone in your face.

 

[Dime Dropper]

But again, I would rather have a guy like Robinson over a guy like Javale McGee. No contest. McGee blocks shots, but plays crappy defense. A guy like Drummond plays iffy D and cannot rebound but he can block shots. They end up giving away more points than a guy like Robinson would with solid D and solid defensive rebounding.

I LOVE shot blockers though. But It's more of a luxury item and I hope Whiteside can fill that role. You don't need shot blocking to win a title but you do need good defense and good defensive rebounding to limit second chance points..

Gary, I've already pointed out that you're wrong here. The stats are available on DX. You can criticise a lot about Drummond, but defense/shot blocking is not one of them.

 

[mac]

But again, I would rather have a guy like Robinson over a guy like Javale McGee. No contest. McGee blocks shots, but plays crappy defense. A guy like Drummond plays iffy D and cannot rebound but he can block shots. They end up giving away more points than a guy like Robinson would with solid D and solid defensive rebounding.

I LOVE shot blockers though. But It's more of a luxury item and I hope Whiteside can fill that role. You don't need shot blocking to win a title but you do need good defense and good defensive rebounding to limit second chance points..

Well I'm speaking on the basis that there isn't a huge difference in overall talent, which is why I added to my post that I'm in no way advocating that we should have drafted Henson over Robinson. Think of it as NBA2k12, you have two players rated at 80, but one is more of an offensive, hustling guy and the other's main talent is shotblocking. The shotblocker would be more valuable to our current team. I was actually rooting for an SF more than a shotblocker anyway.

TRob - good pick, very very fortunate that he fell to us after MKG was taken. Now let's go and shore up our other weaknesses.

 

[Gary]

Tony Wroten goes to Memphis.

I expect him to be a very good player.

He has the potential to be. He's one of those players that is stuck between PG and SG though, thank goodness he has the size though so it shouldn't matter much.

 

[Dime Dropper]

I think the Heat go with Taylor, Jones III or Ezeli. Most likely Taylor.

 

[The_Jamal]

Well I'm speaking on the basis that there isn't a huge difference in overall talent, which is why I added to my post that I'm in no way advocating that we should have drafted Henson over Robinson. Think of it as NBA2k12, you have two players rated at 80, but one is more of an offensive, hustling guy and the other's main talent is shotblocking. The shotblocker would be more valuable to our current team. I was actually rooting for an SF more than a shotblocker anyway.

TRob - good pick, very very fortunate that he fell to us after MKG was taken. Now let's go and shore up our other weaknesses.

Other than referencing NBA 2k12, amen brother!

 

[rainmaker]

And yet you still posted that idiot remark after my post correcting who I was talking about buddy lol.. I was thinking Robinson, and didn't realize the original question was about Thomas.

So Gills asks this

If there will be playoff series on the line, Thomas will be abused, make no mistake.

and you respond

If we get there this year then it's probable, but 2-3 years down the road he will be one of our better defenders on the team and it won't phase him. I don't expect to get a playoff spot until then anyway.

and my post is the idiotic one for thinking you're talking about IT? Then there's a 4 min difference between your response clearing it up and mine. Think maybe I was typing during those 4 mins and watching the draft? Please, don't be an idiot and use some common sense. I don't need to check every post every 4 mins to make sure I didn't miss something.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Can jeff taylor fall to us at 36? god i hope so

 

[KingsCitizen]

10 more picks before we could get a steal in the 2nd round

 

[Gary]

Well I'm speaking on the basis that there isn't a huge difference in overall talent, which is why I added to my post that I'm in no way advocating that we should have drafted Henson over Robinson. Think of it as NBA2k12, you have two players rated at 80, but one is more of an offensive, hustling guy and the other's main talent is shotblocking. The shotblocker would be more valuable to our current team. I was actually rooting for an SF more than a shotblocker anyway.

TRob - good pick, very very fortunate that he fell to us after MKG was taken. Now let's go and shore up our other weaknesses.

We weren't going to get that in the draft though this year. There weren't any players at #5 that could defend, block shots, rebound, with an offensive game. 3 out of 4 isn't bad though. Ever other player that can do all of the 4 things above are either huge gambles or just average in those 4 areas.

 

[Gilles]

But again, I would rather have a guy like Robinson over a guy like Javale McGee. No contest. McGee blocks shots, but plays crappy defense. A guy like Drummond plays iffy D and cannot rebound but he can block shots. They end up giving away more points than a guy like Robinson would with solid D and solid defensive rebounding.

I LOVE shot blockers though. But It's more of a luxury item and I hope Whiteside can fill that role. You don't need shot blocking to win a title but you do need good defense and good defensive rebounding to limit second chance points..

Have you watched Robinson in college? He didn't block shots but that doesn't mean he played "solid" defense. People seem to fail to understand that every rookie makes a lot of mistakes. And transition from HS to college is often just as hard as from college to the pros. There's a reason Robinson played a whopping 7 minutes his freshman year so comparing them one-on-one is not a reliable way of evaluation.

 

[Gary]

So Gills asks this

and you respond

and my post is the idiotic one for thinking you're talking about IT? Then there's a 4 min difference between your response clearing it up and mine. Think maybe I was typing during those 4 mins and watching the draft? Please, don't be an idiot and use some common sense. I don't need to check every post every 4 mins to make sure I didn't miss something.

You still moaning about that? You posted your little jab after I had corrected myself. I am pointing out that you're basically being a douche to be a douche. I don't like you, and you don't like me. Good for us. Now move along.

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

How much of a douche is David Stern?

 

[rainmaker]

Gary, Drummond is not iffy on defense. IIRC he held his opponent to a very low FG%, better than most other big men prospects as well as blocking shots.


Where do people think we go in the second round? We're already pretty overcrowded with bigs and guards so the logical choice is SF. But we didn't work out any good ones. If O'Quinn is there, I think we take him. He's certainly the right type of big man to take, although there's really not much space for him. Still, I'd be happy to take him and try to trade Hayes somehow.

Dream scenario is Jeffery Taylor or PJIII falling. It won't happen though, teams will take a chance on them before it gets to us. Other players I'd like that could fall (but likely won't): Moultrie, Teague, Ezeli, Quincy Miller, Darius Miller. Actually nearly all of those guys would be great at that spot, and there's a solid chance at least one of them will fall. Teague is a good defender and could actually turn into the perfect starting PG for us. Some intriguing SFs still available too. Ezeli is a big guy that loves to block shots, very athletic with an Ibaka like body.

I'm hoping for Ezeli as he might offer some insurance defensively in the paint, depending on the rest of our off season. Or Taylor.

 

[Glenn]

Brick, I don't understand what your problem is with our pick. We knew going in that we weren't getting a shot blocker. What else should we have done with the 5th pick? I presume we could have traded the #5. I am not wise enough to know who we should get so I'd like to know. I fully understand your point but what were we supposed to do about it today? You have to realize that some of us are part of the choir you are preaching to.

I'm watching the draft and am not going to be dragged down by your mood. The draft is fun and we got as good a pick as possible. If you consider we could have drafted Drummond, you know there was more to be worried about than TRob's lack of shot blocking ability. I'm done and have no ability to ignore you today but today is the day it would feel real good to escape the pessimism.

I'm done. Go debate with IfAt1st.