2011 NBA Draft

[Sparky6string]

First.

Just kidding- no I want to know who everyone thinks will go early next draft. Is it too early to tell? Heck yes that's why I'm asking. I want to see which suggestions look good in a year and which don't- who the good scouts are here.

Anyway I have no clue myself so it's a genuine question as well. Also where do you all think we might be in next year's draft and what players might look good to us this far out?

 

[NewArena]

Now that we have this new frontline and extremely bright future, i think we need to focus on building and developing this team in other ways as we are getting pretty close to having an amazing core locked in for the next 10 years or so. Im done talking about the draft lottery and future drafts to be honest.

 

[Hallama]

Maybe this will be the year when the Kings have the 9th or 10th worst record, but win the lotto...karma.

 

[NME]

Maybe this will be the year when the Kings have the 9th or 10th worst record, but win the lotto...karma.

Exactly, but then we've had good luck the last two years after dropping 5 of the max possible 6 slots. If we pull #1 next year we still have to avoid the double-reverse karma of getting "Pervis-ed" with the top pick.

Scanning the lists of 2011 prospects, they're looking pretty slim in the true center department, which makes our draft this year even more brilliant.

 

[Hallama]

Exactly, but then we've had good luck the last two years after dropping 5 of the max possible 6 slots. If we pull #1 next year we still have to avoid the double-reverse karma of getting "Pervis-ed" with the top pick.

Scanning the lists of 2011 prospects, they're looking pretty slim in the true center department, which makes our draft this year even more brilliant.

Looks like a lot of promising wings next year, which this team needs. Still can't believe the Kings landed Cousins...maybe it will be more believable is he does something loco. But I like him - I think he really loves to play and play hard.

 

[hammystyle]

First.

Just kidding- no I want to know who everyone thinks will go early next draft. Is it too early to tell? Heck yes that's why I'm asking. I want to see which suggestions look good in a year and which don't- who the good scouts are here.

Anyway I have no clue myself so it's a genuine question as well. Also where do you all think we might be in next year's draft and what players might look good to us this far out?

From the draft boards the lottery is going to dominated by freshmen and international prospects. Of course that is just preseason rankings, because its pretty hard to tag which freshmen will be ready to excel from day 1 in college and maintain or boost their stock.

We'll be picking somewhere around 11-16.

Here's a cool link with some names and measurements from kids at basketball camps: http://community.foxsports.com/good...ademies_complete_high_school,_college_rosters

 

[NME]

Looks like a lot of promising wings next year, which this team needs.

Yeah, that's why it would have been doubly disappointing to come away with Wes Johnson. Even as much as I like Turner (especially after Bajaden's relentless salesmanship ) it would have been a bummer to pick so high in a draft with two major bigmen prospects and walk away with a wing. Next year's draft pool lines up well to provide what could be our last major piece.

 

[Hallama]

Yeah, that's why it would have been doubly disappointing to come away with Wes Johnson. Even as much as I like Turner (especially after Bajaden's relentless salesmanship ) it would have been a bummer to pick so high in a draft with two major bigmen prospects and walk away with a wing. Next year's draft pool lines up well to provide what could be our last major piece.

Totally, I felt exactly the same. Although Wes Johnson would've been a nice fit with Tyreke, the Kings would've had to go after a FA big this year or next and probably overpay for a guy like Boozer...yuck. Now they really can feel good about their frontline and go after much easier to get wings.

I wonder what Petrie would've done if Cousins was off the board at 5? I think he would have to draft Wes Johnson, although Monroe - with his size and skills - may have been hard for Petrie to pass up.

 

[bajaden]

Yeah, that's why it would have been doubly disappointing to come away with Wes Johnson. Even as much as I like Turner (especially after Bajaden's relentless salesmanship ) it would have been a bummer to pick so high in a draft with two major bigmen prospects and walk away with a wing. Next year's draft pool lines up well to provide what could be our last major piece.

The most painful thing I could have imagined would be having to choose between Turner and Cousins. I probably would have gone for Cousins simply because I think he impacts our team more. But it would have been tough...

 

[bajaden]

Not much in the way of centers in the next draft. But its always possible that someone will emerge. Having watched some of the highschool tournaments, and USA against the world or whatever they call it, I do have some guys that I think will be pretty good, and likely one and done players. Remember, draftee's from next years draft still fall under the old agreement, if I'm reading it properly. So it might be the last chance for college players to get as much guaranteed money.

I think Brandon Knight, a freshman pt guard is going to be a very good player. He's very quick and appears to have good pt guard instincts. He's going to play for, yep, you guessed it, Kentucky. Kentucky has another player that so far I really like. Enes Kanter. Pretty good athlete at 6'10" with a good wingspan. At times he looked like a man amongst boys. Obviously Harrison Barnes is one of the top prospects.

And interesting player is Perry Jones of Baylor. 6'11" and skinny as a rail. He's listed at 230 lb's, but he looks like he weighs 200. Pretty talented guy though. While I'm on Baylor, a player I really like that I think will climb the boards as the college season goes on is LaceDarius Dunn. Tough nosed SG, that was the main offensive weapon for Baylor last season. He's a decent but not great athlete. Good shooter and can get to the basket. More than anything, he was Mr. Clutch for Baylor

Couple of other guys that aren't freshman to keep an eye on are Jimmie Fredette of BYU, and Kenneth Faried of Moorehead St. Looking for a PF, then take a look at Trey Thompkins of Georgia, or JaJaun Johnson of Purdue. Both guys have NBA potential. If you want a wild card then take a look at Jeremy Hazel of Seton Hall. A 6'5" SG. Needs to put on some muscle, but the guy, while erratic at times, can shoot lights out. He also playes good defense.

He's not on TV very much, but if you get a chance, take in Keith Benson of Oakland. Has a Hassan Whiteside body type and has a simlar game. Might be a little better post player, and not as good a shotblocker. But he is a good shotblocker.

Its really too early to start this thread, and I suspect it will die a death on its own. But I already have my college board up on the wall with the prospects ranked in my order of importance. Which will change as the season goes on. Right now, I can't wait for summer league. I'm going to take lots of pictures to post..

 

[Vlade4GM]

Harrison Barnes is a no doubter for the number 1 pick. Along with Barnes, I really like Kyrie Irving, Jared Sullinger, and Mason Plumlee in next year's draft.

 

[NME]

But I already have my college board up on the wall with the prospects ranked in my order of importance.

How does that work? Whiteboard? Index cards and pins? Custom-labelled magnets?

 

[kennadog]

Its really too early to start this thread, and I suspect it will die a death on its own. But I already have my college board up on the wall with the prospects ranked in my order of importance. Which will change as the season goes on. Right now, I can't wait for summer league. I'm going to take lots of pictures to post..

I'm in awe of your devotion to basketball, Bajaden.

I'm thinking of taking in some summer league, myself. 1) I've never been, 2) I think it will be fun to watch this year and 3) I seriously need a break from work. Just have to talk myself into a long drive, as I don't want to spend the bucks to fly.

 

[bajaden]

I'm in awe of your devotion to basketball, Bajaden.

I'm thinking of taking in some summer league, myself. 1) I've never been, 2) I think it will be fun to watch this year and 3) I seriously need a break from work. Just have to talk myself into a long drive, as I don't want to spend the bucks to fly.

Well since we've already met, you wouldn't need a name tag to find.. Hope you can make it. The more the merrier. Cruzdude and I will be there starting on the 14th of july for three games.

 

[bajaden]

How does that work? Whiteboard? Index cards and pins? Custom-labelled magnets?

Actually, if you really want to know. I do have a large board with multiple lines with all the players I'm interested in ranked by my own percieved importance. I also combine all players that might be going to the same school. Such as Kentucky this year with Knight, Kanter, and Terrance Jones. I leave room between the schools so I can add emerging players from the same school if necessary. If not it becomes space for notes. So if I'm looking at the TV schedule I can see which schools are playing and reference the board to see if I'm interested in anyone in that game. If there are no conflicting games of interest, I may watch the game anyway. You never know what you'll discover.

In addition to that I have notebooks. I will usually dedicate at least three pages to each player. To some of the less interesting players, like a 6'5" PF for instance, probably only one page. With my memory, if I don't write it down, its gone. I find it very interesting to go back and read my first impressions vrs my final impressions sometimes, and my notes in between. Sometimes they're very consistent, and other times quite conflicting. Jerome Jordan was a player that I was very conflicted about. Ditto Dexter Pittman. Everybody looks at a player a different way. I tend to rank players higher for certain abilities than perhaps someone else would. Ballhandling is a high priority for me. Especially for wing players. Less so for bigs, but if they can handle the ball well, that just elevates them more in my ranking. The ability to pass the ball is also very important to me. There are a lot more things that go into it for me, but on first sight, ballhandling and passing will leap out at you. Or the lack there of.

I think one of the reasons Scottie Reynolds dropped off the map was because he was nothing more than a volume shooter who didn't handle the ball particularly well and didn't pass the ball all that well. Throw in that he wasn't a very good defender in my opinion, and his shooting percentage was low for a shooter, wa la, he didn't get drafted.. By the way, I'm working on the custom labeled magnets

 

[bajaden]

Harrison Barnes is a no doubter for the number 1 pick. Along with Barnes, I really like Kyrie Irving, Jared Sullinger, and Mason Plumlee in next year's draft.

I'm really interested in seeing Sullinger again. He looked a little slow and unathletic when I saw him, but I didn't really get to see him in serious game play. He certainly has size. Irving is another I'm interested in. I'm curious how Duke is going to use him with Smith there. I suspect Smith will play SG.

 

[Gary]

The most painful thing I could have imagined would be having to choose between Turner and Cousins. I probably would have gone for Cousins simply because I think he impacts our team more. But it would have been tough...

Yah I would be afraid that he doesn't mesh well with Evans.. For some reason I would rather try some lower cost players next to Evans that have a decent all around game that won't hinder Evans game. Drafting Turner (which I would have if available) would have made me cringe if they didn't work well together.

 

[NME]

Cruzdude and I will be there starting on the 14th of july for three games.

Awesome, I'll be looking forward to SL even more knowing that you'll be providing some in-person scouting!

 

[Sparky6string]

I asked elsewhere but I thought there was something about some games being played in Arco or in CA somewhere. Any truth to that?

 

[Capt. Factorial]

I asked elsewhere but I thought there was something about some games being played in Arco or in CA somewhere. Any truth to that?

Not that I know of. Just Vegas.

 

[Sparky6string]

Not that I know of. Just Vegas.

=( thx

 

[bajaden]

I asked elsewhere but I thought there was something about some games being played in Arco or in CA somewhere. Any truth to that?

The summer league were talking about is just in Los Vegas. There is a summer league in Sacramento at the Capital Christian center, but it has no connection to the Kings. However Kings players have been known to show up and play at times. I'm sure you can call and get more info from them..

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

I remember watching the USA vs. World game a month or so back. Enes Kanter was super impressive.